Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is Relational Life Therapy?
- Relational Life Therapy (RLT) is a model developed by therapist Terry Real that names the everyday patterns—such as control, withdrawal, defensiveness, or losing yourself in the other person—that can quietly wear relationships down over time. Rather than treating conflict as a personality flaw, RLT helps couples and individuals notice, understand, and change the pattern, moving from disconnection toward more honest, mutual connection. I draw on RLT training as part of a broader approach that also includes Internal Family Systems (IFS) and somatic work. Read more from the Relational Life Institute →
- What can I expect through the therapy process?
While the pace and specifics are always shaped by what you bring, the work generally unfolds in three phases.
- Understanding the pattern. In our first sessions together, we gather a full picture of what's happening — the recurring themes, the challenges you're facing, and what's actually getting in the way — and start aligning on goals we agree on together.
- Naming what's underneath. I'll reflect back the patterns I'm noticing, checked against your own experience, so we reach shared clarity on what we're working toward. Where there are stuck relational wounds or trauma underneath the pattern, this is where I apply my trauma-informed training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and somatic approaches to process and integrate them — genuine healing, not just insight.
- Building the skills that last. Once you're able to access what RLT calls your Wise Adult — a steadier, more grounded relationship with yourself — we shift into practical, values-driven relational skills you can apply long-term.
If you're working with me individually, your partner can be included in sessions to help strengthen what we've built together. If you're working with me as a couple, I can also pivot to individual sessions when focused trauma work is needed, before returning to couples work for the relational skill-building.
- Do you work with men specifically?
- Yes, this is a gender-sensitive, trauma-informed perspective I genuinely hold, and it's what drew me to my current pursuit in PhD research on men's mental health and help-seeking. It was this research focus that led me to Relational Life Therapy, a framework that similarly considers the psychosocial and systemic forces that create very distinct barriers for men. I'm committed to a grounded, safe space for men as I do for women. This is where I believe authentic gender equality can be upheld.
- How much does a session cost?
- Individual sessions are $138 for 60 minutes and couples sessions are $180 for 90 minutes. The Affordable Relational Life Therapy Program is offered on a limited sliding scale.
- How does therapy work, and how many sessions will I need?
- Every person and couple is different, so there's no fixed number I can promise upfront. Some people find real relief and clarity within a handful of sessions; others are working through longer-standing patterns and stay in therapy for months or longer. In our first few sessions together, we'll map out what's actually happening for you — the pattern, not just the symptom — and from there I'll give you an honest sense of what ongoing work might look like, so you're never left guessing about the process.
- Do you offer Medicare rebates?
- No, however my session rate is set to align closely with the typical out-of-pocket cost after a standard Medicare rebate, so the actual cost to you is comparable. And unlike Medicare, which caps subsidised sessions at 10 per calendar year, there's no session limit here — so we're never working against a countdown if you need more time.
- Do you offer online sessions?
- Yes. Secure telehealth sessions are available Australia-wide, alongside in-person sessions in Brunswick, Melbourne.
- What if I can't afford full fees?
- A number of reduced-fee individual places are available, and the Affordable Relational Life Therapy Program offers limited sliding-scale sessions. You can discuss availability during a free consultation.