When is controlling behaviour from a partner toxic or abusive?
Many people can appear controlling in a relationship and I certainly see many examples of it in couples counselling. Often controlling behaviours show up because the person is feeling insecure or highly anxious. Anxiety fuels controlling behaviours in relationships. But there …
Worried about Christmas and holiday conflict?
Whilst Sydney (and Australia for that matter) is a beautiful place to be during Summer, Christmas and the holiday season can be a challenging time for couples. The feeling of needing to conform to your family’s expectations during the Christmas break can …
How do you know if alcohol is ruining your relationship? And what can you do if it is?
Couples counselling brings in a lot of successful people – many of them high achievers, big money earners, or simply people are who are highly-regarded and high-functioning at work. But that success often comes with big jobs, long hours, huge mortgages, frequent …
Are extended family or in-laws causing problems within your relationship?
As a Family Counsellor I see this a lot in my couples work as well as in family counselling. Here are a few of the most common complaints I hear: My partner doesn’t like my family or parents and doesn’t …
What help is there for couples where there is a significant mental health diagnosis?
Some of you may remember a blog that Alex Ryder wrote back in May about the impact of mental health of a relationship – you can read his blog here. In couple and family counselling I frequently talk to people who …
My relationship is boring – here are some antidotes.
For some people, the worst thing they can think of is being in a boring relationship. Boredom is associated with feelings of weariness, tediousness or impatience. It usually involves an absence of interest, desire or passion, and can be quite disheartening. …
Couples Counselling Radio Interview with Alex Ryder
Alex Ryder was interviewed by Tony Kallegeros on The Daily radio show. He discusses why couples go to couple’s therapy, how he deals with some of the trickier situations that arise in therapy, and of course, what makes a perfect relationship. You can …
Help to manage family stress when a child has AD/HD
By the time a Family Counsellor like me sees parents of a child with AD/HD, they are urgently in need of a safe space to work through the experience of parenting a child who has extra challenges. Some of you may know …
How do I know if I’m ready to commit to my partner?
For most couples, commitment means a lifelong pledge to one person. That might be by way of marriage, a commitment ceremony or the decision to have children. Making a decision of that magnitude is naturally quite daunting. How do you know you’re …
Is conflict with my ex hurting our kids?
As a Family Therapist one of the most common presentations I see is separated parents who are continually in conflict or hostile toward each other – and worried about how their fighting is affecting their children. Some separated parents fight because they …
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