Maria is a Registered Clinical Psychologist and is a registered provider with Medicare, and provides marriage and relationship counselling Perth. She is experienced in working with children, adolescents, adults and couples.

To read more about Maria or view her psychologist profile, click here. 

1. What do you find are the most common relationship problems that you see in couples coming to see you?

There are many common relationship problems that couples present to me with.  Sometimes infidelity may be an issue, or even the threat of infidelity where there has been communication where one partner may perceive the person their partner is communicating with as a threat.  Also I see a lot of couples where they are having problems navigating the demands of parenthood.  At times there is also post-natal depression involved.  Sexual differences in relation to libido is also a big issue that I see with couples, especially where the females libido is much lower than the males.  I also see couples where they have engaged in their late teenage years and by their late 20’s their values are very different, both partners have “grown up” so to speak and are no longer on the same page when it comes to their values.  Couples where one partner believes the other partner has narcissistic characteristics is also common, as well as women engaging following their break up with their partner due to narcissistic characteristics.  Couples presenting with either one partner or both partners where there is a mental illness is also a common presentation.

2. What would you like couple clients to know about the couple counselling process before they come in?

It is quite common for the first session to be anxiety provoking.  It takes a lot of courage to go and see a stranger and talk about deep relationship issues.  Generally by the end of the first session some positive rapport has been established to be able to continue with the process.  There are many techniques that can be used to help improve the couple relationship.  It is also important to note that Psychologists are trained to not take sides when it comes to couples counselling.  This is often a genuine fear for individuals attending relationship counselling.

3. If you had one word of advice for couples with children, what would it be?

I’m not sure about one word, however I think the most valuable advice for couples with children is to regularly take quality time out as a couple in order to stay connected, and to be prepared to support each other through the parenthood journey.

4. What advice would you give to couples trying to rebuild their relationship after an affair?

I believe the most important advice is to engage with a qualified Psychologist who is able to help you rebuild the relationship.  A Psychologist can help you both move past the affair by examining the factors that motivated one partner to be unfaithful.  They can also provide techniques for trust to be restored back to the relationship.  Couples counselling can help both partners become aware of and take responsibility of the part that each of them played in the affair taking place.

5. What proportion of your couple clients manage, with your help, to successfully recreate a happy relationship from the difficult one that they came in with?

I would say that about 75% to 85% of couples who come in for counselling manage to successfully recreate a happy relationship.  I have had many clients years later re-engage with me due to a hiccup in their relationship.  It is wonderful to see these clients again and to know that they were able to manage and move on from their difficulties.

6. What do you find is the most satisfying and fulfilling part of this work that you do?

In today’s society where family breakdown creates devastating consequences, I am grateful that I am in a position to be able to help and support individuals to work through their relationship issues successfully so that the family unit is strong, especially for the children of these families.

If you would like to make a booking with Maria or any other of our psychologists, you are welcome to fill out an enquiry form here, or call our friendly receptionists on 1300 830 552.