Family Counselling Melbourne

Family Counselling:

Healing the Patterns of the Past

Break the Cycle of Hurt and Build Family Harmony

Family conflict can feel so confusing and overwhelming, especially when pain causes loved ones to unintentionally lash out or shut down and stonewall. Often, it’s the people we love the most who bear the brunt of our unresolved pain.

This is how pain patterns are passed down through generations—hurt and shame shut down real communication, preventing resolution and keeping families stuck in a loop of pain and conflict.

But there’s hope

Using my unique relationship therapy approach, Tapping into Relationships – eft², what was once seen as “impossible” or “too difficult” becomes not only possible but rewarding—and dare I say it, even uplifting and enjoyable!

Online FREE

A FREE introductory call - 15 min

Got a few questions?

Thinking about Family Counselling but not ready to commit yet?

Let’s chat and explore your options.

Online $350/hour (Inc GST)

Family Counselling (3 people) - 90 min

Bravely taking the step towards Family Counselling?

Receive support from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Face to Face $350/hour (Inc GST

Family Counselling (3 people)- 90 min

Prefer an in-person session?

Let’s meet in my counselling rooms for a private and supportive session.

(If suitable times aren’t available in your area, book a FREE 15-minute Online Chat to discuss your needs.)

Tess Counselling

How I Can

Help Your Family

I can support your family to transform the way you interact, moving from a place of defence to a place of connection.

Together, we will work to:

  • Create Safety & Healing: Creating a safe space where every member feels secure enough to grow and thrive.
  • Foster Empathy: Building a deep understanding of each other’s unique lived experiences and feelings.
  • Discover New Paths: Replacing old triggers with new ways of interacting and connecting.
  • Feel Understood: Ensuring every voice is heard within your family dynamic.
  • Challenge Patterns: Identifying and dismantling damaging belief systems that have kept you stuck.
  • Break the Chain: Ending transgenerational trauma where hurt simply creates further hurt.
  • Cultivate Respect: Developing mutual respect, after healing what has happened in the past.
  • Create Harmony: Building lasting peace through shared understanding and clear agreements.
  • Open the Door: Creating the necessary space for genuine forgiveness and healing.
Tess Counselling

Why Choose

Family Counselling?

Family counselling isn’t just about “fixing” a problem; it’s about building a foundation.

Whether you are navigating deep-seated generational trauma, sudden communication breakdowns, or entrenched patterns of hurt, I provide the roadmap. By choosing therapy, you aren’t just resolving a fight—you are investing in a brighter, more connected future for your children and the generations to follow.

“The greatest legacy we can leave our children is the healing of our own trauma.”

Take the

First Step

You don’t have to stay stuck in the cycle. Let’s work together to create a family dynamic where everyone feels valued, respected, and understood.

Book your Session Today

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Eliza
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I cannot speak highly enough of Tess- her warmth, care and compassion, her intelligence and knowledge that she brings to every session are truly incredible. She draws on a wealth of experience and deep understanding. Tess has guided me through some very challenging times in my life, always with kindness, a non-judgemental attitude, curiosity and showing me how to act with compassion and love towards myself. I am very grateful for the journey that we have been on together and the deep work that we continue to do collaboratively. It has made such a difference to my life, to my interpersonal relationships and my relationship with myself. Her great sense of humour and reflections are a wonderful antidote. Thank you so much Tess!
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Harriet Gerbert
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My partner and I began seeing Tess for 'preventative' therapy when we started dating 2 years ago, and she has helped us to build an incredible foundation for our life together. Tess is compassionate and insightful, and we come out of every session with new insights that help us understand each other, and ourselves, better - even when we think we've analysed the problem from every angle, Tess surprises us with an insight that unlocks repair and healing. Tess has also taught us the power of tapping for self-regulation, and this has helped us de-escalate many situations before they escalate. Thank you so much Tess for being with us through our issues big and small!
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Kelsey Smith
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A Wonderful experience- Looking forward to more Sessions I’ve had two sessions with Tess so far, and I’m genuinely excited to see where this journey takes me. My daughter recommended Tess after experiencing many sessions with her, and I can see why she speaks so highly of her. Tess has a reputation for being incredibly kind and effective, and she truly lives up to it. From the very beginning, Tess made me feel comfortable and heard. She has a unique ability to connect and get to the heart of what’s important to me, which felt almost intuitive. It’s like she has a sixth sense for understanding how I feel and what I need. Her approach is a beautiful balance of compassion, expertise and experience kind, she’s non-judgmental in a way that allows me to be completely open without fear of criticism. Her knowledge is vast, and it’s clear that she has a wealth of experience to draw from. But what stands out most is her ability to tailor her techniques to fit my personal situation. I feel like I’m in very capable hands, and I can already sense the positive shifts after just a couple of sessions. I’m looking forward to continuing my work with Tess and seeing where the process leads. If you’re looking for someone who combines warmth with expertise, Tess is definitely someone you should consider.
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Genevieve Smith
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I’m deeply grateful for the support and healing Tess has facilitated in me. Through our work together, I’ve experienced profound growth in both my interpersonal relationships and the relationship I have with myself. My emotional regulation and communication with loved ones have improved significantly, and I feel more grounded and connected than ever. Tess has a remarkable ability to guide me to the deeper issues beneath the surface while ensuring I never feel too raw or exposed in the process. Her approach is both gentle and effective, creating a space that feels safe, compassionate, and transformative. I’ve recommended Tess to friends and family who have also experienced meaningful healing under her guidance. I can’t recommend her highly enough.
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Sarah Wells
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Tess helped me heal and cope after being in an abusive marriage. I highly recommend her. She was understanding and guided me with achievable coping strategies that greatly improved mental health and helped balance my nervous system.
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Nicolas Derbyshire
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Wow, where to start! I feel like I owe Tess so much; not only has she helped me see and deal with the toxicity that had surrounded me for so long, she has also helped me understand and embrace my true self. Tess’s gentle guidance, wisdom and empathy are a gift for anyone that needs help navigating relationships that don’t feel right. I can’t express how much Tess has helped me and can only recommend that you consider her for your counselling!
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Kirsty Angus
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Tess clearly identified issues within my relationship immediately and more accurately than any other therapist had done before. She always works with kindness and offers a wholistic follow up and care.
Tess Counselling

Tapping into Relationships – eft²

Understanding the eft² Approach: The Science of Connection

Traditional talk therapy often focuses on communication techniques without addressing the deeper emotional and relational patterns. My unique Tapping into Relationships – eft² approach goes beyond this by combining two powerful tools for emotional and relational transformation:

  • Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFT): This helps us map out the “relational dynamics” within your family. By identifying and addressing negative cycles—such as pursuing and withdrawing—we work to transform these patterns into secure, supportive bonds.
  • Emotional Freedom Techniques (Tapping): When family members feel “triggered,” the brain’s stress response takes over, making rational communication nearly impossible. Tapping directly engages the nervous system, calming “fight-or-flight” and shutdown responses in real-time. Additionally, by leveraging the research-backed “borrowed benefits” of group tapping, families can experience an amplified calming effect, fostering a profound sense of safety and harmony.
Tess Counselling

Why this works for families

  • Eases the Impact: It reduces the physiological intensity of family arguments.
  • Rewires the Brain: It helps move the family from a state of defence to a state of curiosity and compassion, fostering lasting emotional resilience and connection.
  • Accessible Tools: It gives family members practical tools they can use at home when emotions run high.
    Change doesn’t happen by talking about the problem; it happens by creating a new experience of connection.

Book a Discovery Call

FAQs

It is common for one or two family members to be hesitant. The good news is that the family is a system; when one part of the system changes how they interact (using the eft² techniques), it forces the rest of the system to shift. We can start with whomever is willing to show up

Every family is different, and Tapping into Relationships – eft² is designed to be flexible, meeting each family where they are to create the changes they seek. We don’t just talk in circles; instead, we focus on fostering  emotional transformation and meaningful reconnection. Some families notice a significant shift in just a few sessions, while unlearning deeper generational patterns may take more time.

Traditional therapy often relies on rigid cognitive strategies like communication skills for problem-solving, which are easily forgotten in the heat of an argument. Tapping into Relationships – eft² calms the nervous system and repairs the emotional bond at the heart of your relationship. By addressing physiological and emotional barriers, it rebuilds trust and fosters empathic understanding, creating a lasting connection that can navigate any challenge.

Not at all, however I do strongly encourage you to try this well researched technique. Tapping is a powerful tool for de-escalating high-conflict moments and clearing trauma, so that we can move at your family’s pace. I introduce further tools and techniques as they become relevant to your specific needs and comfort levels.

Sometimes, bringing long-buried hurts to the surface can feel intense. However, my role is to provide a safe, moderated environment—where these feelings can be expressed without causing further damage. We don’t just “open wounds”; we tend to them so they can finally be cleared and healed.