Couples Therapy Sydney

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Couples therapy that actually works.

Relationships are challenging. But struggling doesn’t have to be permanent. Sviatlana will teach you the skills to turn your relationship around — starting from your very first session.

Gottman Method · Scientifically Proven· In Person & Online· Randwick · Bellevue Hill · St Leonards· Rebates Available· Free Initial Consultation· Gottman Method · Scientifically Proven· In Person & Online· Randwick · Bellevue Hill · St Leonards· Rebates Available· Free Initial Consultation·

About the Service

You don't have to keep struggling.

Relationships can be challenging. If your conversations frequently turn into arguments that leave you feeling frustrated and disconnected, if you often experience negative emotions towards your partner, or you are on the verge of living parallel lives — you are not alone.

We don’t learn at school the skills needed to build a successful long-term relationship and maintain a deep, happy connection over the years. No wonder so many couples enter a relationship without the tools to keep it strong.

Sviatlana will teach you the skills you need to turn a struggling relationship into one you can feel genuinely good about. And if you are in the early stage of your relationship and things are good right now, these skills will help you keep them that way.

Is This For You?

You can benefit from couples therapy if...

Couples therapy isn’t only for relationships in crisis. It is for any couple who wants to build something better — whether things are difficult right now, or you simply want to protect what you have.

01 You fight over the same things again and again
02 Conversations often turn into heated arguments
03 You feel negative or disconnected from your partner
04 You are about to become parents, or have just become parents
05 There has been broken trust or an affair
06 Previous attempts to improve your relationship didn't work
07 You are happy now, but want to keep your relationship strong for years to come

"You will start improving your relationship from your very first session — not after three intake sessions."

The Method

Grounded in science. Built for real change.

Sviatlana’s couples therapy is based on the ‘Sound Relationship House’ theory — developed, researched and scientifically proven over 40 years by world experts in marriage and couples therapy, Drs John and Julie Gottman.

The Gottman Method is the only scientifically proven framework in couples therapy. Unlike many other approaches that have no scientific evidence behind them, it delivers positive and lasting changes in couples’ relationships.

Sviatlana will coach you both on how to communicate effectively, solve conflicts constructively, bring out the best in each other, and deepen your connection over the years.

40+

Years of research and scientific evidence behind the method used in your sessions

Only

Scientifically proven method that delivers positive, lasting changes in couples’ relationships

1st

Real coaching begins from your very first session — no wasted intake sessions

The Process

What to expect

After your free consultation, Sviatlana sends both partners a questionnaire. The results identify exactly which areas of your relationship need attention — so work begins from Session 1. You will both feel seen, heard and empowered throughout the process.

Free 45-Min Consultation

A relaxed, no-obligation Zoom call. You and your partner talk freely with Sviatlana about your goals and make sure you both feel comfortable working with her.

Relationship Questionnaire

Both partners complete a questionnaire that reveals exactly which areas of your relationship need focus. No wasted sessions gathering background information.

Skill-Building Sessions

Sviatlana teaches you both the skills to communicate better, resolve conflict constructively and deepen your emotional connection — from Session 1.

Practice & Progress

You practise new skills between sessions and begin noticing real changes — in how you feel towards each other and how you relate day to day.

Why Sviatlana

What makes Sviatlana different. from other therapists?

18+ years of experience

Helping couples and individuals improve their lives and relationships since 2006 — bringing depth of experience that makes a real difference.

Properly certified in couples therapy

Unlike many therapists who work with couples without a specific couples therapy qualification, Sviatlana is a Certified Couples Therapist.

Coaching from Session 1

Most therapists spend the first 3 sessions just gathering information. Sviatlana gathers this via the free consultation and questionnaire — so you start making progress immediately.

Scientifically proven method only

Sviatlana uses exclusively the Gottman Method — the only framework in couples therapy with proven scientific evidence of delivering lasting results.

She lives what she teaches

Sviatlana learnt these skills herself and has maintained a deeply connected marriage since 2006. She teaches from genuine lived experience, not just training.

Session Length

Sessions can be 60 or 90 minutes. You will achieve significantly more in 90 minutes, and you can choose based on your goals and pace of progress.

Locations

In-person sessions are available in Randwick, Bellevue Hill and St Leonards. Online sessions via Zoom are also available for couples who prefer remote support.

Medicare Rebates

Rebates are available and can be discussed during your free initial consultation. Sviatlana will help you understand your options before you commit to anything.

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

What makes Sviatlana different from other Couples Therapy specialists?

First of all, Sviatlana has been helping couples and individuals improve their lives and relationships since 2006, hence she has a lot of experience.

Secondly, she is a Certified Couples Therapist (unlike lots of other therapists, who work with couples without having a proper qualification in Couples Therapy).

Thirdly, she uses the scientifically proven framework for couples therapy (The Gottman Method), unlike lots of other couples’ therapists, who use methods, which have no scientific evidence behind them.

Fourthly, her parents were not good role models to learn from about how to relate to each other, so Sviatlana had to learn all these skills herself in her 20s, which enabled her to build with her husband and maintain a heart-centered connection over the last 20+ years.

For how long do sessions last and are the rebates available?

Sessions can last for 60 or 90 min: it depends on how quickly you want to progress. You can achieve much more in 90 min than in 60min and you’ll be able to choose between 2 options. Rebates are available and can be discussed in the free initial consultation.

What to expect during our Couples Therapy in Sydney sessions with Sviatlana?

After the initial free consultation you will get via email a questionnaire to fill in, both by you and your partner. The results of this questionnaire will allow you and Sviatlana to see which areas of your relationship need to be improved. Sviatlana during Couples Therapy sessions in a compassionate and respectful way will teach both of you the necessary skills to improve those areas of your relationship.

You both will feel seen, heard and empowered.

You’ll practise those skills between the sessions, noticing improvements, as a result, in how you relate and feel towards each other.

Where can we have sessions if we consider Couples Therapy in Sydney with Sviatlana Starr?

A free initial consultation is done over zoom, while sessions can be in person in Randwick, Bellevue Hill or St Leonards or on Zoom.

Does Sviatlana work with different types of couples, including Gay and Lesbian couples?

Yes, of course!

Who can benefit from Couples Therapy in Sydney with Sviatlana Starr?

You can benefit from Couples Therapy in Sydney if any of the below is right for you:

You fight over the same things again and again
Conversations often turn into heated arguments
You feel a negative overall sentiment towards your relationship or disconnected from your partner
You are about to become parents or have become parents
There is a broken trust between you or there has been an affair

Are there couples for whom Couples Therapy is not recommended?

Yes. Couples Therapy is not recommended if:

One of the partners is characterologically violent or abusive with the purpose to control or intimidate their partner. Characterologically means it is in their character, it is ongoing. Instead of going for Couples Therapy, the partner who is the victim in this relationship needs to leave the relationship as soon as possible and more likely get the police involved.
One or both partners have a strong alcohol or drug addiction. Before going for Couple Therapy, it is important to get treatment for the addiction first.
If there is no fondness, no respect left towards your partner, then you don’t need a Couple Therapy for this relationship, as it is doomed. You can have a few sessions with Sviatlana on your own though to learn the skills you need to choose your next partner well and how to make your next relationship a success.

Client Stories

Relationships transformed

In just a few sessions she turned our relationship around! We listen to each other now, enjoy each other’s company again — we are closer than we’ve been in years. I wish we came to Sviatlana earlier!

Lara & Tom

Everything she explained made so much sense and was transformational. We were so negative before — now we appreciate each other and discuss our needs instead of constant fighting. Thank you, Sviatlana!

Lucy & Peter

We used to live parallel lives. After working with Sviatlana we started having deep conversations again, getting to know each other’s inner world. We highly recommend her to anyone who wants to be happier.

Alex & Claudia

Take the First Step

Ready to build a happier relationship together?

Book a free, no-obligation 45-minute consultation on Zoom. You and your partner can talk openly with Sviatlana about your goals and make sure you both feel comfortable before committing to anything.

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