CAITLIN MASON NAIKER

We all need close relationships. They are a defining feature of being human. They bring a ton of joy and fulfilment in our lives AND they can feel like a special form of torture. We can be nailing it in so many ways in our lives, but then, seem to repeatedly hit a brick wall with a certain someone who we really care about. You must know what I'm talking about, if you've found yourself here. Keep reading.

What's it about and who is it for?

Relationship Counselling, that's only for couples right? Nope - it's also a good space to navigate difficulties between friends or family members. It's a place where two people can come together and express their needs and hurts safely and constructively. My job is to mediate carefully, ask the right questions and give each person the chance to express themselves fully (in a way that the other person can really understand). But you don't just get to talk, (oh, if only!) get ready to learn how to truly listen to the other person in a way that you may have never done before. This is one of the sharpest tools that is going to elevate your relationship.

What will we do?

In these sessions, you will get a chance to explore and understand your own triggers and how these wreak havoc in your relationships. We will dive into understanding your attachment style so that we can start to unpack and really understand these triggers. With a greater understanding of your own attachment patterns, you'll start to understand yourself on a deeper level and also get clearer insight into how you are showing up in the relationship. Armed with this knowledge, you'll begin to get a better idea of how to navigate the challenges that are bound to come.

How does it work?

Usually in relationship counselling, we will spend a few sessions as a group and then jump into some one-on-one sessions with each person. This blend of sessions allows us to work both at the relationship level as well as at the personal level. The individual sessions allow us to really understand what you are bringing to your relationship dynamic and where the change needs to start with you (scary huh?). It is important that we stay on track - at the start we will work out some goals for the process and then keep checking in to see if you're both progressing towards feeling a little lighter in your interactions with each other.

What's the reward?

Relationship counselling can be hard. It can also feel slow and sometimes frustrating - it takes time to untangle the knots that got you to this point in the first place. However, it is important work and is ultimately inner-work, where you get to know more about yourself and how to best show up in your relationship. Diving into this work with intention and giving it the time it really needs is transformative and, as an extra bonus, no doubt you will feel the ripple effects on the other relationships in your life.