What to Expect in Couples Therapy
Jackie works with couples to understand the patterns that create distance and help them find their way back to emotional connection. Her approach is collaborative and grounded in warmth and curiosity - helping you both make sense of the moments you feel unseen, unheard, or misunderstood, and build new ways of reaching for each other when things feel hard.
Below, Jackie shares a little about how she typically structures the first few sessions so you know what to expect.
Session One:
Together
In your first session, we meet together to talk about what’s brought you to therapy, your relationship history, and what each of you hopes to gain. I’ll also share a little about how I work and what you can expect from the process.
This first session helps us start to notice the patterns that tend to show up between you - the ways you each reach for understanding, react to tension, or pull away when things feel hard.
Sessions Two & Three:
Individual Sessions
Next, I meet with each of you individually. These conversations help me understand how each of you experiences the relationship - what feels important, where you get stuck, and what you most long for.
It’s also a space where you can speak openly without worrying about how your partner might respond in the moment.
Session Four:
Back Together
We then come back together and begin exploring what’s been learned so far - what helps each of you feel close and connected, and what gets in the way.
This is often where things start to make more sense, as you begin to see how both of your experiences fit together in the relationship.
Focus & Direction
From there, the direction of therapy depends on what feels most important to you both. Sometimes we focus on the patterns that show up in moments of disconnection; other times, we work on rebuilding trust, improving communication, or finding ways to reconnect after long periods of distance. Each session is guided by what feels meaningful and helpful for you as a couple.
Sometimes, depending on what’s happening in your relationship, I may suggest a few extra individual sessions before we begin working together as a couple. This can help if one or both of you are feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or need more space to prepare for the work ahead.
These sessions are short-term and focused on preparing for couples work - I don’t offer ongoing individual therapy when I’m working with both partners, as my role is to hold the relationship as the main focus.
Frequency & Continuity
To build momentum and keep the work moving, I usually recommend starting with weekly or fortnightly sessions. After the first appointment, I’ll offer to book a few sessions in advance so we can maintain a consistent rhythm and give the process time to take shape.
Assessment & Fit
It’s helpful to know that the first few sessions form part of an assessment process - both for me to understand your relationship, and for you to get a sense of my style and whether this feels like the right fit.
We’ll also consider whether the timing feels right for couples therapy - whether there’s enough emotional safety and readiness to benefit from the work. If not, we can talk about what might be most supportive in the meantime.
If you’re not sure where to start, that’s okay - most people aren’t. You can book a first session, or reach out for a short phone chat to see if we feel like the right fit.
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Book online via our secure Halaxy portal, or email us with your preferred days and times.
Once your booking is confirmed, we’ll send you an intake form to complete before your first session.
A 50% deposit is required to secure your first appointment as a new client.
Cancellations made outside our notice period won’t incur any fees - see our cancellation policy for details.
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Not quite ready to book? You can arrange a free 15-minute phone call with the therapist of your choice.
It’s a chance to ask questions, learn more about how we work, and see if it feels like a good fit.
Contact us to schedule a time.