Couples & Relationship Counselling Northcote
A dedicated practice for couples and individuals navigating the complexities of intimate relationships. Based in neighbouring Thornbury, minutes from Northcote, with secure telehealth available across Melbourne and Australia-wide.
Couples Counselling for Northcote
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 to the practice 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.
The practice is in neighbouring Thornbury, a few minutes from Northcote, with sessions available in person or via secure telehealth.
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 structured assessment-based program supporting couples to strengthen communication, alignment and long-term relational foundations.
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 you see clients from Northcote?
Yes. The practice is in neighbouring Thornbury, only a few minutes from Northcote, and many clients come from across the inner north. Sessions are also available online via secure telehealth if that suits you better on a given week.
Do we need to be in crisis to start relationship counselling?
No. Many couples come when things feel uncertain, distant or difficult, but not necessarily at a breaking point. Counselling can also support relationships that want to strengthen connection before problems become more entrenched.
What if my partner is unsure about coming to counselling?
This is very common. Often one person is more ready than the other. We can begin with whoever is willing to attend and create space for the concerns or hesitation that exist around starting.
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 happens in the first session?
The first session is mostly about understanding what has brought you here and what you are each hoping for. There is no pressure to resolve anything straight away. It is also a chance for you to get a sense of how it feels to work together, which matters as much as anything else.
Can I come on my own, or is this only for couples?
Both are welcome. I work with couples and with individuals who want to understand themselves in relationship, including attachment patterns, relational difficulties and intimacy concerns. Some people begin individually and later bring a partner in, and some continue one to one throughout.
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. Where I am working with a couple, I will also talk with you about how information shared individually is handled, so everyone is clear from the start.
What are your fees, and how long is a session?
Sessions are $200 for 50 minutes and $250 for 80 minutes. Many couples find the longer session useful, as relational work often needs a little more time to settle into. If you are unsure which suits you, we can talk it through beforehand.
How long does relationship counselling usually take?
There is no fixed answer, as it depends on what you are working through and what you hope for. Some people come for a short, focused period, others for longer. We check in along the way about how things are progressing, so the work stays shaped around your needs rather than a set number of sessions.
What approach do you use?
My work is attachment-informed and draws on emotionally focused, systemic and psychodynamic approaches, alongside a narrative sensibility. In practice this means paying attention to the emotional patterns between people rather than working from a script. I hold a Master of Counselling (Couples Stream) and trained as a couples therapist at Relationships Australia Victoria.
Is online counselling available?
Yes. Sessions are available in person in Thornbury, Melbourne, and online via secure telehealth for clients across Australia. LGBTQI+ clients and diverse relationship structures are warmly welcomed, whether we meet in person or online.