Couples Single Session
understand your relational dance - why you get stuck - how to get unstuck.
My experience in social work, family therapy, EMDR, and Schema Therapy gives me a broad and effective toolkit to work with couples within a single session.
Why a Single Session?
Single Session Therapy (SST) is an innovative psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and families, first studied in 1980 and further researched by the Bouverie Centre, Melbourne. While a single session often starts with one session, its goal is to spark meaningful change and may lead to further sessions, if needed.
A single session offers:
A formulation linking current relationship patterns to family of origin experiences, unmet childhood needs, and difficulties in conflict and repair.
We focus on feelings, urges, and unmet needs rather than blaming or content. Our goal is to foster connecting conversations.
I use interventions like chair work, guided imagery, and focused conversations to help you connect and address underlying issues.
You'll learn to identify and understand patterns that keep you stuck.
Testimonial
“Rachael helped us work through an incredibly hard time in our relationship. Her sessions supported us to talk through our problems, develop a better understanding of each other and of ourselves, and to grow.
We have met with Rachael together and as individuals which gave us the right space to work things through.
She helped us to explore our thoughts and feelings and to challenge long held beliefs. We are now more attuned to each other’s needs, more communicative, and more deeply connected than we have ever been” - Anonymous
What will this look like?
Initial enquiry
Each person to complete a brief questionnaire - helping me to understand more about you and your relationship.
FREE 30 Min Discovery Zoom
Assess Fit: Determine if we’re a good match for working together.
Check Suitability: Is this is the right starting place for you both? Where there is active family violence, a single session won’t be sufficient or may not be safe for everyone.
Understand Dynamics: Begin to explore your relational challenges and underlying life experiences.
Questions: Ask any questions about single session couples therapy.
Set Goals: Think about what you want to achieve.
Preparation:
Complete Assessments: Fill out questionnaires and additional assessments. Conceptualisation and understanding of your relational dynamic is included in the fee, and you’ll receive a copy to take home.
Return On Time: Both partners must complete and return all pre-session assessments promptly to maximize the session’s effectiveness.
Single Session:
A 2 hour session.
Follow-Up Zoom two weeks later (30 mins)
Reflective Exercise: Return the reflective exercise from your assessment pack before this call.
Check-In: Review how things are going after the single session—what’s working and what needs more focus.
Future Work: I’ll suggest next steps, which could include therapy for underlying trauma (e.g., EMDR Intensive or Six Weekly Program) or continued couples therapy.
Ongoing Sessions: If continuing, we'll discuss a plan based on your needs, and my availability.
“Our partners do not belong to us; they are only on loan, with an option to renew—or not. Knowing that we can lose them does not have to undermine commitment; rather, it mandates an active engagement that long-term couples often lose. The realization that our loved ones are forever elusive should jolt us out of complacency in the most positive sense
”
Couples Single Session
3 contact hours plus 1 hour for assessment, workbook, and formulation - Total hours: 4
Includes a FREE 30 Min Discovery Zoom
Single Sessions Fee: $910 includes GST
*Payment plans available. Please email for further information.