Relationship and Marriage Counselling Services in Sydney CBD & Parramatta
Building and maintaining a lasting, satisfying relationship requires attention, cooperation and collaboration between the individuals involved. Every relationship goes through ups and downs, and over time couples can fall into unhealthy ways of communicating and develop patterns of behaviour that can be hard to break. Major life events can send you off track and sometimes you might need extra support to help you navigate your relationship through difficult times. This is where couples counselling can help.
Relationship and Marriage Counselling Services in Sydney CBD & Parramatta
Thriving relationships require attention and cooperation. Couples counseling provides crucial support for navigating challenges and breaking unhealthy patterns.
About Us
Helping Couples in Sydney CBD and Give Their Relationship Another Chance with Marriage Counselling
My name is Lidia Smirnov and I am a specialised and expertly trained couples therapist located in Sydney CBD and North Parramatta. Relationship counselling is my specialty, using my training in the Gottman Couple Therapy Method, PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy) as well as body-based somatic psychotherapy, I strive to support couples in achieving a deeper sense of understanding, awareness, empathy, and connectedness within their relationship that ultimately leads to increased friendship, intimacy and the rediscovering of one another.
In our couple/relationship counselling practice, we draw on a wide range of clinically proven and researched methodologies to help clients strengthen their relationship and improve their communication
Do any of the following statements sound like you?
I just can’t trust my partner any more.
We seem to be arguing all the time.
I don’t feel heard or understood by my partner.
Things are tense between us and I don’t know why.
I don’t think I’ll ever be in a successful relationship.
How can relationship counselling help?
Overcome blockages that are holding you back from having a successful relationship
Have clear, open and honest communication with your partner to better understand each other
Have more sexual vitality and intimacy in your relationship
Rebuilding trust where it has been broken
Resolve conflicts that are causing divisions and bring you closer together
Bring you together with a common vision and purpose for life
RELATIONSHIP AND MARRIAGE COUNSELLING SERVICES
The 80yrs+ research from Harvard Medical School is showing unequivocally that people in secure relationships have better cardiovascular health, stronger immune systems, lower mortality rates from cancer, and less depression and anxiety, and are able to face day-to-day challenges with more emotional resilience.
Services
At our relationship counselling practice, we offer a safe and non-judgement environment so you can strengthen
Discover healing through individual growth, stronger connections with couples therapy, and a solid foundation with premarital counselling – take the first step towards a brighter future with our free consultation button below.
Free 15 mins Consultation
Individual Counselling
Personalized support for self-discovery, emotional healing, and personal growth, helping you navigate life’s challenges and achieve mental well-being
Couples Therapy
Strengthen your relationship, resolve conflicts, and improve communication with the guidance of a skilled therapist, fostering a deeper
Premarital Counselling
Prepare for a lasting marriage by addressing potential challenges, enhancing communication, and building a solid foundation for a harmonious
Intensive Couple Therapy
Deepen your connection and address complex issues through immersive therapy sessions, fostering trust, understanding, and a stronger
Relationship Coaching
Couples facing challenges in their relationship, whether related to communication, conflicts, trust, or intimacy
In our couple/relationship counselling practice, we draw on a wide range of clinically proven and researched methodologies to help clients strengthen their relationship and improve their communication
THE GOTTMAN COUPLE THERAPY METHOD
The Gottman Method derives from the decades of research at the Gottman Institute, which specialises in relationship and couples therapy…
PACT – PSYCHOBIOLOGICAL APPROACH TO COUPLES THERAPY
Developed by researcher, clinician and teacher, Stan Tatkin. PACT relies on the application of research in neuroscience and attachment theory to improve interactions between couples.
SOMATIC PSYCHOTHERAPY-HAKOMI
An approach to therapy that is grounded in the mind-body connection. Hakomi integrates principles of Eastern philosophy, emphasising concepts such as mindfulness, loving presence and empathy.
Testimonials
Our Stories to Share
Transforming relationships, one testimonial at a time – our marriage counselling’s impact in the words of our satisfied clients.
Sonya (HR Executive) & Alan (Banker)
‘My husband and I were recommended Lidia and we have been extremely grateful for the guidance and counsel we received from her. Lidia’s straightforward and practical approach combined with her commitment and genuine care created the right environment for us to do the work we wanted on our relationship and after 5 months, we are stronger than ever. We would both absolutely recommend Lidia’. Read more…
Simon (Digital Marketing) & Monica (Advertising)
‘My partner and I both found our sessions with Lidia extremely beneficial. Lidia is very direct while also being very nuanced – this is a real skill. You can tell right away she has a high level of experience and she helped us greatly. We can highly recommend her to any couples who need additional clarity and assistance’. Read more…
Craig (PI) & Justine (PI)
‘We spent years focusing on building a successful business and caring for our family, and little time on our relationship. By the time we met Lidia our relationship barely existed. Lidia helped us to refocus and provided us with the necessary tools to rebuild our relationship. With Lidia’s much valued guidance we now have a strong foundation which is continuing to strengthen. This has been the best investment we have ever made.’. Read more…
Anatol (Game Developer) & YUKI (Early Childcare Worker)
‘We came to Lidia as a couple with multicultural background which presented some issues in itself, but as every relationship is unique in its own right, we are convinced that her expertise will benefit any relationship that goes through a hard time to the point that it may feel unbearable. We highly recommend Lidia to anyone, even if it appears that all avenues to save a relationship have been exhausted. Lidia’s counselling may provide just the turning point that you need at this point in time.’. Read more…
Annette (Lawyer)
‘I have been working with Lidia in individual counselling, and it has been an incredible and surprising journey for me. I started from a place of deep but undefinable unhappiness with myself, my relationships, and my life. Working with Lidia, I have come to understand my ingrained habits of thinking, feeling and reacting to the world – and have started a process of change which I didn’t think was possible before. Not only my own sense of well-being but also all of my relationships are improving as a result. Lidia’s unfailing warmth, kindness, patience and intelligence have made this journey possible for me. I would unhesitatingly recommend Lidia to anyone wanting to explore and improve their relationship with themselves, and others. She is a truly compassionate and wise guide on the journey.’. Read more…
Cristian (Engineer) & Joadi (Teacher)
‘I have been working on personal issues with Lidia for over a year. She has helped me navigate a significant transition in my life by applying mindfulness techniques to scenarios I have shared with her. More recently, she has been helping me and my wife with our relationship and that with our children.
She helps by providing a different context to the one that automatically presents itself. This has allowed me (and my wife) to actively choose our mental models, thereby giving us more control over how we interpret certain experiences. I feel calmer, more content and more willing not to let fear rule what I do. I have also noted significant improvements in my marriage and how I interact with my children.
I would not hesitate recommending Lidia to anyone who is struggling with any aspect of life.’.
Read more…
Michael (Barrister) & Sue (EA)
‘When my wife and I found Lidia we were quite sure that we wanted to save our marriage – we just weren’t quite sure how to go about it. We knew that we still loved each other and that what we had was worth fighting for. But we had grown distant, our careers were pulling in opposite directions and, worst of all, we had effectively stopped communicating. So we knew we had to get help – but we did not hold out a lot of hope that we would find it. But we did. We found Lidia Smirnov who, through her calm, empathic and thoughtful way got us to “see” each other once again. Got us talking & laughing again. Through our sessions with Lidia we were able to reconnect and, most importantly, to develop strategies to avoid returning to that place where we questioned our future together. Of course we still have pressures of work and children – but we now make time for “us” and as a result again have a very positive outlook on our future together. So I would certainly recommend other couples, facing these or similar issues, to also reach out and engage with Lidia.’. Read more…
Yoko (Graphic Designer) & Andrew (IT Engineer)
‘We really loved how well our relationship experience was structured. The most interesting and beneficial for us was finding you.
You were easy to get along with, so we found it easy to share our feelings in front of you.
Each of our sessions has deepened our connection more and more and the understanding of ourselves that we had no idea about when we first visited you.
You are truly good at what you do. We so appreciate your generosity and your support of us, thank you.’.
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Akiko (Artist)
‘My husband and I didn’t know whether our relationship would survive before we met Lidia. My both knew that we loved each other but the constant fighting was starting to take a toll on our marriage. Having Lidia’s counselling was one of the best things I have done for myself, and we both feel so fortunate to have found Lidia.
Lidia is kind, non-judgmental, and easy to open up to. I have always felt calm and at ease during and after each sessions. We have seen so much growth within ourselves. She has helped me to initiate helpful growth, strength and peace of mind going forward. I highly recommend Lidia.’.
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Ally – Senior Manager (Tech Industry) & Ed – Software Developer (Banking)
‘A series of life-changing events created turmoil, distance, and anxiety in our marriage. We knew we wanted to try to save it, but we were incredibly fragile and couldn’t afford a false start.
We are so lucky to have been recommended Lidia. Without her support and coaching we would not have been able to repair and rebuild into the happy, resilient marriage we have today.
Lidia uses a number of accessible tools and techniques grounded in her expert methods, many of which we will take forward with us to continue our journey. She is incredibly professional and experienced, with a calm and compassionate approach. With Lidia’s help we have come to understand each other (and ourselves in relationship) more than we ever have in 10+ years together. If you are considering seeing Lidia, go for it! You will be glad you did.’.
Read more…
Dan – Management Consultant & Ann – Data Analyst
‘Thank you so much Lidia. Thank you for all the support and guidance you have given Dan and I. I can honestly say we would not have been able to navigate our challenges as well as we did without you there. We’ve both learnt a lot about ourselves and relationships through this process.’. Read more…
