Supporting Couples with Insight, Skills, and Experience

We are Eileen and Michael Moore –experienced couples counsellors with a strong reputation in the local community for helping couples navigate challenges, resolve conflict, and strengthen their relationships. With extensive experience working as co-therapists, we understand both the complexity and rewards of modern relationships.

We offer a general counselling approach, integrating evidence-based skills from the Gottman Method and Positive Psychology into our sessions to help couples create deeper connection and lasting change.

Why Learning Relationship Skills Matters

According to research from the Gottman Institute, couples who learn and practice specific relationship skills experience:

✅ Greater intimacy and closeness – Effective communication and emotional connection strengthen bonds.

✅ Better conflict management – Techniques such as softened start-ups and repair attempts reduce the impact of disagreements.

✅ Deeper emotional connection – Responding to each other’s needs and ‘bids for attention’ fosters closeness.

✅ Long-term relationship satisfaction – Couples who regularly practice positive relationship habits are more likely to stay together.

Skills You May Learn in Our Sessions

Our approach incorporates proven strategies from the Gottman Method and Positive Psychology, including:

💬 Communication & Conflict Management Skills

• The Softened Start-up: How to begin difficult conversations without criticism or blame.

• The Four common communication blocks and their antidotes – Identifying and replacing criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling with healthy responses.

• Repair Attempts: Simple phrases and actions to de-escalate conflicts and reconnect quickly.

• The Stress-Reducing Conversation: How to listen to each other without trying to fix or solve.

❤️ Building Connection and Emotional Intimacy (Gottman-Informed)

• Love Maps: Deepening your understanding of each other’s worlds—hopes, dreams, and experiences.

• Turning Toward, Not Away: Recognizing and responding to bids for attention, affection, and support.

• Daily Rituals of Connection: Creating habits that keep you emotionally connected.

🌞 Positive Psychology Tools for a Stronger Relationship

• Gratitude Practices: Building appreciation by regularly expressing what you value in your partner.

• Strength Spotting: Focusing on each other’s strengths rather than weaknesses.

• Positive Reframing: Shifting your perspective on challenges and seeing them as opportunities for growth.

• Savoring Positive Moments: Learning to pause and appreciate joyful times together to build lasting happiness.

Why Working with a Male and Female Co-Therapist Team is Beneficial

As a married couple and experienced co-therapists, we offer a unique counselling experience that includes both male and female perspectives. Research suggests that co-therapy can be highly effective because it:

👫 Provides a balanced perspective, helping both partners feel equally heard and understood.

👫 Models healthy communication and conflict resolution dynamics in real time.

👫 Allows for a more dynamic and nuanced approach, with each therapist bringing their own insights and strengths.

Our 30 years of marriage have given us personal experience in navigating the challenges and joys of a long-term partnership, which informs and enriches our work with couples.

A Flexible Approach Tailored to Your Needs

While we are skilled in structured relationship-building techniques, we do not require couples to commit to a set program. Instead, we tailor our sessions to each couple’s unique needs, integrating practical skills from the Gottman Method and Positive Psychology into general counselling.

Couples can attend as few or as many sessions as they feel are helpful. We may introduce exercises for couples to practice between sessions, which are designed to:

✅ Apply new skills in real-life situations

✅ Reinforce positive habits for communication and intimacy

✅ Create lasting relationship growth through practice

Is Our Approach Right for You?

Our couples counselling is ideal for partners looking to:

✅ Strengthen their relationship with evidence-based skills

✅ Improve communication, intimacy, and trust

✅ Work with a supportive and experienced co-therapist team

However, our approach may not be suitable if:

❌ You are currently experiencing family violence or abuse in your relationship

❌ You are seeking support for drug or alcohol dependency (specialized services are recommended)

❌ You are unwilling to practice relationship skills between sessions (typically 30–60 minutes per week)

Take the Next Step

If you are ready to improve your relationship through counselling that combines insight, practical skills, and over three decades of relationship experience, we invite you to book a session with us. Whether you come for one session or many, our goal is to help you and your partner create a stronger, healthier relationship.

We work Wednesdays, Fridays and every second Saturday