Supporting change within and between you.

Couples EMDR Intensive for Repeating Patterns

Working with people in Anglesea, Torquay, Geelong and Surf Coast & Australia-wide.

Combining EMDR Intensive Therapy with Focused Couples Sessions to Support Deeper Understanding and Relational Change.

There are times in relationships where patterns feel difficult to shift, even with insight and effort.

Often, this is because what is happening between you is shaped by something deeper - individual experiences, emotional memory, and ways of relating that have developed over time.

This approach brings these layers together.

Beginning with EMDR intensive work allows a deeper understanding of each partner - their history, nervous system activations, and internal patterns - before moving into focused couples’ sessions where this understanding can be worked with directly in the relationship.

Who this is for

This pathway may be supportive if:

  • patterns in the relationship feel repetitive or difficult to shift

  • conversations escalate or lead to distance

  • there is a sense of not feeling understood or emotionally met

  • individual experiences are shaping how you relate to one another

It can be particularly supportive where there has been complex or longstanding trauma, and where taking time to understand each partner individually helps create a greater sense of emotional connection before working together as a couple.

Couple appearing emotionally distant, reflecting relationship disconnection addressed in couples EMDR intensive therapy

When you are ready to move beyond the patterns, there is space here…..

After an EMDR intensive, change doesn’t always arrive all at once, but often begins in subtle shifts in how you feel, respond, and relate : What can change after an EMDR Intensive Program

This approach is often helpful for couples who are open to engaging in their own individual work, with an understanding that change within a relationship happens at a systemic level.

As each person begins to shift, this can influence not only the relationship between you, but the wider system around you - including, where relevant, your children.

Where patterns have become more entrenched, this approach supports a shift toward greater emotional attunement and stability within your relationship.

It is also supportive in relationships impacted by betrayal or infidelity, where there is a need to work with the experiences of both the person who has been hurt and the person who has stepped outside of the relationship.

In this work, we take time to understand what sits underneath these experiences, allowing for a deeper and more considered way forward.

When this Approach is Helpful

When trust is broken where do you begin? Infidelity Therapy : Healing after a Betrayal

How it Works

This is a structured, short-term intensive process.

It includes:

  • EMDR intensive sessions (individually) through one of the intensive programs.

  • A pause for intergration.

  • Followed by three or six 90-minute couples sessions across one or two weeks.

An EMDR Intensive focuses on processing the experiences that sit underneath current emotional responses and relationship patterns. Allowing space to understand each partner more deeply, while the couples sessions support integration - working with the patterns as they arise between you.

By working at this level first, each partner is supported to feel more stable, less reactive, and more able to stay present.

If you’re both feeling ready for a different way of working, you’re welcome to begin here…

Couple holding hands with a tree in the distance, symbolising shared roots and family history explored in a couples EMDR intensive program

Beneath many recurring arguments are deeper emotional patterns, vulnerabilities, and protective responses. Read more : Couples Therapy : A Schema Therapy Perspective

From here the couples sessions can focus more directly on what is happening between you - not just from the surface, but from a place that has already begun to shift.

This allows for:

  • a deeper understanding of each partner’s internal world

  • patterns to be recognised more clearly as they arise

  • less escalation and more capacity to stay with one another

  • a greater sense of relational safety.

Rather than preparing for the work, we are able to move more directly into it - working with the dynamic as it unfolds, with greater awareness and possibility for change.

What Happens Between You

What your Couples EMDR Intensive Therapy could look like

Couples EMDR Intensive Therapy

Foundation : Both partners – EMDR Intensive Program One

Each partner completes an EMDR Intensive Program One, followed by focused couples sessions to support integration within the relationship.

This Includes for each Partner:

  • Assessment & Preparation Workbook

  • 90-minute assessment session

  • 3 x 90-minute EMDR intensive sessions

  • 90-minute integration session

  • Digital Integration Guide & Resources

Couples Integration - what is included:

  • 3 x 90-minute couples sessions across one week

  • Couples Formulation

  • Digital Schema Couples Therapy Workbook

  • Digital Integration Guide & Resources

OR

  • 6 x 90-minute couples sessions across two weeks

  • Couples Formulation

  • Digital Schema Couples Therapy Workbook

  • Digital Integration Guide & Resources

Follow-Up Session:

  • 1 × 60 min Follow-Up session 4 weeks after last session.

Program Fees:

  • EMDR Intensive Program One: $2,170 per person (Medicare rebates available with a current Mental Health : $436.25 each person)

Couples Integration Options:

  • 3 × 90 min sessions: $1,500

  • 6 × 90 min sessions: $2850

Total Investment:

  • With 3 couples sessions: $5,840
    (or $4969.50 with Medicare rebates)

  • With 6 couples sessions: $7,190
    (or $6,317.50 with Medicare rebates)

Reservation Deposits: A non-refundable reservation deposit secures your therapy dates.

2 x EMDR Intensive Foundation plus 3 x Couples Sessions : $750

2 x EMDR Intensive Foundation plus 6 x Couples Sessions : $1000

Couples EMDR Intensive Therapy

Exploration : One partner – Program One, One partner – Program Two

Each partner completes an EMDR Intensive at the level that best suits them, followed by couples sessions to support integration within the relationship.

This includes:

Partner One – Program One:

  • Assessment & Preparation Workbook

  • 90-minute assessment session

  • 3 x 90-minute EMDR intensive sessions

  • 90-minute integration session

  • Digital Integration Guide & Resources

Partner Two – Program Two:

  • Assessment & Preparation Workbook

  • 90-minute assessment session

  • 6 x 90-minute EMDR intensive sessions

  • 90-minute integration session

  • Digital Integration Guide & Resources

Couples Integration - what is included:

  • 3 x 90-minute couples sessions across one week

  • Couples Formulation

  • Digital Schema Couples Therapy Workbook

  • Digital Integration Guide & Resources

OR

  • 6 x 90-minute couples sessions across two weeks

  • Couples Formulation

  • Digital Schema Couples Therapy Workbook

  • Digital Integration Guide & Resources

Follow-Up Session:

1 × 60 min Follow-Up session 4 weeks after last session.

Program Fees:

  • Program One: $2,170
    (Medicare rebate $436.25)

  • Program Two: $3,480
    (Medicare rebate $698)

Couples Integration Options:

  • 3 × 90 min sessions: $1,500

  • 6 × 90 min sessions: $2850

Total Investment:

  • With 3 couples sessions: $7,150
    (or $6015.75 with Medicare rebates)

  • With 6 couples sessions: $8,500
    (or $7365.75 with Medicare rebates)

Reservation Deposits: A non-refundable reservation deposit secures your therapy dates.

1 x EMDR Intensive Foundation, 1 x EMDR Intensive Deepening plus 3 x Couples Sessions : $1000

1 x EMDR Intensive Foundation, 1 x EMDR Intensive Deepening plus 6 x Couples Sessions : $1250

Couples EMDR Intensive Therapy

Deepening : Both partners – EMDR Intensive Program Two

Each partner completes an EMDR Intensive Program Two, followed by couples sessions to support integration within the relationship.

This includes:

For each partner:

  • Assessment & Preparation Workbook

  • 90-minute assessment session

  • 6 x 90-minute EMDR intensive sessions

  • 90-minute integration session

  • Digital Integration Guide & Resources

Couples Integration - what is included:

  • 3 x 90-minute couples sessions across one week

  • Couples Formulation

  • Digital Schema Couples Therapy Workbook

  • Digital Integration Guide & Resources

OR

  • 6 x 90-minute couples sessions across two weeks

  • Couples Formulation

  • Digital Schema Couples Therapy Workbook

  • Digital Integration Guide & Resources

Follow-Up Session:

  • 1 × 60 min Follow-Up session 4 weeks after last session.

Program Fees:

  • EMDR Intensive Program Two: $3,480 per person (Medicare rebates available for each person with a current Mental Health Care Plan : $698 per person)

Couples Integration Options:

  • 3 × 90 min sessions: $1,500

  • 6 × 90 min sessions: $2850

Total Investment:

  • With 3 couples sessions: $8460
    (or $7,064 with Medicare rebates)

  • With 6 couples sessions: $9810
    (or $8,414 with Medicare rebates)

Reservation Deposits: A non-refundable reservation deposit secures your therapy dates.

2 x EMDR Intensive Deepening plus 3 x Couples Sessions : $1250

2 x EMDR Intensive Deepening plus 6 x Couples Sessions : $1500

Yes, we are loving all of this - we want to get started…..

You may notice that the way you relate begins to follow a pattern, one that feels difficult to step out of : Why your relationship patterns keep repeating

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes.

    As part of this pathway, I work with each partner individually during the EMDR Intensive phase, and then bring this into the couples sessions.

    This is held within a systemic approach, as a Clinical Family Therapist - where each person is understood in the context of the relationship, rather than in isolation.

  • Individual EMDR sessions are confidential.

    At the same time, this work is grounded in transparency within the relationship. This means I do not hold secrets that would impact the relationship.

    We would speak together about what feels appropriate to bring into the couples space, so that both partners can remain informed and engaged in the process, without needing to share every detail of what was explored individually.

  • Not necessarily.

    The focus is not on sharing everything that has been discussed, but on bringing forward what is helpful for the relationship.

    This is something we approach thoughtfully, with care for both partners, and with an emphasis on honesty, respect and relational integrity.

  • In situations where there has been a betrayal, this approach allows space to work with the experiences of both partners.

    This includes supporting the person who has been hurt, as well as understanding what may sit underneath the actions of the person who has stepped outside of the relationship.

    This work is held with care and clarity, including a shared understanding that transparency is important in rebuilding trust.

  • During the EMDR Intensive phase, I see one partner at a time.

    This allows space for each person to focus on their own work, while the other partner can support them through their process, as well as tend to themselves, the home, or children.

    There is an integration period after both partners have completed their individual work before moving into the couples sessions. This may be a week, or longer if needed, allowing space for the work to settle before beginning the relational phase.

    Couples sessions then follow, supporting integration within the relationship.

  • Yes, this is important.

    Where possible, I recommend clearing your calendar during the intensive phases.

    It can also be helpful to allow some space following the individual work before beginning couples sessions, so that each partner has time to rest and integrate.

    This supports a more grounded and connected experience when coming back together for the relationship work.

  • Yes, and it is helpful to plan ahead.

    During individual sessions, one partner may be in session while the other is available to support children or family needs.

    Where there are challenges within the relationship, this can often impact parenting and the wider family system.

    By working in this way, changes between you can begin to support a greater sense of steadiness, connection and presence - not only within the relationship, but also in how you are able to be with your children and as a family.

  • This work is different from weekly or fortnightly therapy.

    The EMDR Intensive process is focused on working with the experiences that sit underneath current patterns — supporting the processing of what may feel stuck, so that change can begin to unfold more naturally within the relationship.

    For most couples, ongoing therapy is not required in the same way following this work. The intention is to create meaningful shifts that can continue beyond the sessions themselves.

    If further individual or relational work is needed at a later stage, this can be discussed together. Where one partner is wanting to return for additional support, this would be approached openly and with consideration for the relationship.

    At times, time-limited follow-up sessions may be offered, or a return to the intensive model may be considered where further focused work would be beneficial.

  • Booking a Couples EMDR Intensive involves reserving dedicated time across multiple sessions. This time is held exclusively for you. To support a clear and contained process, the following policy applies.

    Payment

    A non-refundable deposit of $1,000, $1250 or $1500 (program dependent) is required to secure your program dates.

    The remaining balance is due 7 days prior to the first assessment session.

    Rescheduling

    You may reschedule your program once, ideally with 14 days’ notice, without additional fees (subject to availability).

    If less notice is given, I will always do my best to accommodate changes where possible.

    In the case of unexpected or significant circumstances, I will approach this with care and offer flexibility where appropriate. This flexibility is intended for genuine situations and is not ongoing.

    Further changes may require a new booking and deposit.

    Cancellations

    The deposit is non-refundable and is retained in all cases.

    If cancellation occurs before the remaining balance is due (more than 7 days prior to commencement), no further fees are payable.

    If cancellation occurs after the remaining balance has been paid (within 7 days of commencement), I will approach this with care and consider what is appropriate. This may include retaining part of the program fee, depending on the timing and circumstances, or offering rescheduling where possible.

    Please note

    Couples EMDR Intensives involve significant preparation and dedicated time. Late changes impact the ability to offer this work to others.

    Thank you for your understanding.

  • In the unlikely event that I need to reschedule a session, I will provide as much notice as possible and offer an alternative time as close as possible to your original booking.

    Couples EMDR Intensive are structured pieces of work, and continuity is important. For this reason, sessions are rescheduled rather than refunded.

    If a suitable time cannot be found within the same week, we will work together to find the earliest appropriate alternative to maintain the flow of your process.

  • Yes. If you are completing an integrated pathway that includes individual EMDR Intensive Therapy for each partner followed by Couples Intensive Therapy, payments can be made in stages.

    A non-refundable reservation deposit is required to secure the appointments for each intensive therapy pathway booked.

    The remaining balance for each pathway is due one week before the first assessment session for that phase of therapy. For example:

    • Partner 1 EMDR Intensive Therapy: balance due one week before their assessment session.

    • Partner 2 EMDR Intensive Therapy: balance due one week before their assessment session.

    • Couples Intensive Therapy: balance due one week before the first couples session.

    This staged approach allows you to spread the investment over time while ensuring your dedicated therapy appointments remain reserved.