Couples & Relationship Counselling Melbourne
A dedicated practice for couples and individuals navigating the complexities of intimate relationships. Based in Thornbury, supporting clients across Melbourne, with secure telehealth available Australia-wide.
A Dedicated Practice for Relationships
Relationships ask something of us. They bring us into contact with love and belonging, but also with uncertainty, vulnerability and the patterns we have learned over a lifetime. At times those patterns create closeness. At other times they leave us feeling misunderstood, disconnected or caught in ways of relating that no longer serve us.
People come here at many different points. Some are in the midst of a crisis. Others have noticed a quiet distance growing between them, are navigating a significant life transition, or carry the sense that something important has been lost and would like to find their way back to it. Others come as individuals wanting to better understand the relationships that shape their lives.
The work begins with curiosity. Rather than asking who is right or wrong, therapy invites a deeper understanding of the emotional and relational processes unfolding between people. As new understanding develops, different ways of relating become possible, creating greater connection, resilience and capacity, not only for the challenges you are facing now, but for the relationships you will continue to build throughout your life.
How We Can Work Together
Couples & Relationship Counselling
A space for couples to slow down, understand recurring patterns, and work with the emotional processes shaping distance, conflict or disconnection.
Individual Counselling
For individuals seeking to better understand themselves in relationship, including attachment patterns, relational difficulties and intimacy concerns.
Prepare/Enrich
A research-based program for couples preparing for or deepening commitment, helping you understand each other more fully and build strong foundations together.
Stephanie Schiftan
Couples & Relationship Therapist
MCouns (Couples) · GradDipEd · BFA (Hons) · Specialist Course in Integrative Couples Therapy (RAV) · ACA Member
I came to counselling through a winding path, through classrooms and creative spaces, and both continue to shape the way I work. My background in Fine Arts gave me a deep attunement to how meaning is made and expressed. My years in education taught me to pay close attention to how people make sense of themselves and the world. That curiosity and attentiveness sits at the heart of how I practise.
I hold a Master of Counselling (Couples Stream) and trained as a couples therapist at Relationships Australia Victoria, completing the Specialist Course in Integrative Couples Therapy and my supervised clinical hours there. I am a member of the Australian Counselling Association.
I work with couples and individuals across all relationship stages. I am interested in the ways people try to stay connected, make sense of difficulty, and navigate the tensions that arise in close relationships. LGBTQI+ clients and diverse relationship structures are warmly welcomed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need to be in crisis to start counselling?
No. Many people come when things feel uncertain, distant or strained rather than at a breaking point. Counselling can also support relationships, and individuals, wanting to understand their patterns and strengthen connection before difficulties become more entrenched.
Do you work with individuals as well as couples?
Yes. I work with couples navigating their relationship together, and with individuals wanting to understand themselves and the way they relate, whether or not they are currently partnered. Some people begin individually and later bring a partner in.
What if my partner isn't sure about coming?
This is very common, and one partner often feels more ready than the other. We can begin with whoever is willing to attend, and make space for the hesitation itself, which is frequently part of what is happening in the relationship.
What approach do you use?
My work is attachment-informed and emotionally focused, drawing primarily on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), alongside psychodynamic, PACT-informed and narrative approaches. In practice this means paying attention to the emotional patterns beneath what brings you to therapy, rather than working from a fixed technique.
Will you take sides or decide who is right?
No. The work is not about assigning blame. It focuses on understanding the patterns between you, so that both perspectives can be heard and new ways of responding can emerge.
What are your fees?
Sessions are $200 for 50 minutes and $250 for 80 minutes. The Prepare/Enrich program is offered as a package. If you are unsure what suits you, a free 15-minute consultation is a good place to start.
Is what we talk about confidential?
Yes. What you share is kept confidential, within the limits set out by law and professional ethical guidelines, which I will explain clearly at the outset. Creating a private, trustworthy space is part of the work.
Is online counselling available?
Yes. Sessions are available in person in Thornbury, Melbourne, and online via secure telehealth for clients across Australia.