5 Best Marriage Counsellors in Australia Because Even Love Needs A Little Help
Growing up in what seemed like a healthy household had one of my friends convinced that marriage was easy. She never saw her parents fight. The worst she witnessed were petty squabbles that fizzled out before they even got started.
Then one evening in December, just a couple of weeks away from Christmas, their parents sat the family down and dropped the news. They were getting a divorce. Turns out, a lot had been happening behind closed doors that they never knew about.
That moment stuck with her. When she got married years later, she didn’t want to leave things to chance. So she and her partner decided on marriage counselling early on, not because things were falling apart, but they wanted to keep the relationship strong.
And honestly, it turned out to be one of the best decisions they made. I reckon it could be one of yours, too.
Whether you’re going through a rough patch or simply want to keep your relationship in good nick, here are the best marriage counsellors in Australia to help you out.
How much does marriage counselling cost in Australia?
Marriage counselling in Australia costs anywhere between $40 AUD to $350 AUD per session, depending on the therapist’s experience, location, and session length, with the average sitting at $150 AUD to $250 AUD per hour.
Medicare generally doesn’t cover couples therapy, so it’s worth checking with your private health insurer to see if you’re eligible for a rebate.
1. Relationship Rescue Institute of Australia
Address: 5/39A Glenferrie Rd, Malvern VIC 3144
Contact details: +61394270032
Business hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
There’s something pretty special about getting relationship advice from a couple who’s actually been through the thick of it themselves.
Francesca Levine, a registered psychologist and Stan Levine, a family lawyer, have been married for 58 years. Together, they run the Relationship Rescue Institute of Australia, based only in Melbourne.
They’re actually the only Australian couple trained in Imago Relationship Therapy, a structured approach that teaches couples how to really listen to each other instead of just waiting for their turn to talk.
Sessions focus on rebuilding safety and connection by helping partners understand the deeper needs driving their conflicts, which really made a difference for a lot of couples.
Their services span couples therapy, affair recovery, sexual counselling, same-sex relationships, parenting, and even programs for singles, and all are available in-person or online.
The tools they provide are also practical enough to use long after counselling ends. Couples appreciate the free introductory consultation, too, which makes the first step a little less daunting.
Many clients have described Fran and Stan as warm and non-judgemental, saying even the toughest conversations feel manageable in their space.
That said, with only two practitioners, availability can be quite limited.
We’ve been given tools to help nourish our relationship and a safe place to share
“We have been with Stan through difficult times and have the highest regard with the help he has provided. We have been given tools to help nourish our relationship as well as a safe place to share. Stan has a warm manner and we feel fortunate to have had his guidance and support over a number of years. I have no hesitation in recommending his professional service to couples wanting to work together on their relationship.”
- Karen Lee, Google Review
Yes, it was a tough haul, and it will take ongoing commitment, but it is so worth it
“Over the years we had shut many doors for various reasons. Stan gave us great tools to not only doors open these doors but to open new ones as well. It is truly wonderful to have a greater understanding of each other and have happiness back into our relationship. Yes it was a tough haul and it will take ongoing commitment but it is so worth it. Thank you Stan, you are a true Gem”
- Glenda Harvey, Google Review
2. The Relationship Code
Address: Not Available
Contact details: +61402690218
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Not every couple feels comfortable sitting quietly in a therapy room once a week. Some people respond better to something more active and hands-on. That’s where The Relationship Code takes a very different approach.
Bringing in over 30 years of relationship and coaching experience, Brett and Marie Jones have created a 3-day live program held across multiple Australian cities, including Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide.
The idea is that relationships rely on skills, and skills can be learned. This means that the workshops are energetic and interactive. Couples work through guided exercises alongside other participants, supported by a large coaching team.
Their method focuses on practising new communication techniques through the Six Step Relationship Communication Code to strengthen emotional connection. A friend who attended with her husband even described it as intense but incredibly eye-opening.
For those who can’t make it, there’s a virtual version via Zoom. The group format, however, may not suit couples who prefer a more private setting.
I walked away with clarity, perspective, and tools I’ll use for the rest of my life
“I attended The Relationship Code as a single, with the intention of working on my relationship with myself rather than coming in with expectations around dating or finding a partner. What I got out of this experience far exceeded anything I expected. The facilitators created an environment where you could be honest with yourself, challenge long held patterns, and actually understand why you show up the way you do in relationships. I walked away with clarity, perspective, and tools I’ll use for the rest of my life, not just in romantic relationships but in how I relate to myself and others overall.”
- Amy Ryan, Google Review
Thank you so much Brett, Marie, Katie, Craig and all the team
“Amazing experience with The Relationship Code. Definitely it’s a breakthrough with myself, partner, family, friends, and people around me. I always feeling confused why I feel so lost. When I dig in it’s probably the baggage that I brought from my childhood and relationship with my parents. Thank you so much Brett, Marie, Katie, Craig and all the team. Definitely must try!!!”
- Thea Talks, Google Review
3. The Hart Centre
Address: Multiple Locations within Australia
Contact details: +61756361566
Business hours:
- Daily: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
If accessibility matters to you, The Hart Centre is one of the easiest counselling services to access in Australia.
With over 230 therapists and 173 locations nationwide, it operates more like a large support network than a single clinic. That means couples can usually find a therapist nearby or book an online session without much fuss.
One of their standout features is their therapist-matching system. Clients answer a few questions about their relationship, and the centre pairs them with a counsellor who fits their situation and availability.
In some cases, therapists can also be matched with your private health fund for potential rebates.
Clients consistently praise how easy and stress-free the whole process feels from first inquiry to booking. But of course, with such a large network, the experience can vary slightly between therapists.
To help reduce that risk, the Hart Centre offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If the first session doesn’t feel like the right fit, they’ll organise a new therapist and cover the cost of the next session, which is an excellent offering.
Their range is massive too, covering from couples therapy and sex counselling to LGBTQIA+ support, ADHD, and even pre-marriage programs.
Has an amazing booking process to match you up with the right support
“The Hart Centre has an amazing booking process to match you up with the right support and then offer all kinds of flexible options to suit your needs. It’s been seamless and I’m looking forward to my first session this week.”
- Teva Smith, Google Review
The response from the team was prompt and informative
“The experience was fantastic from start to finish. The response from the team was prompt and informative from my initial outreach through to booking my appointment. Couldn’t recommend enough.”
- Anwen Lichtnauer, Google Review
4. Keith Flynn – Your Relationship Specialist
Address: 37/131 Adelaide Terrace, East Perth WA 6004
Contact details: +61418101902
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sometimes, the most qualified person to help you through relationship pain is someone who’s lived it. Keith Flynn, a Perth-based counsellor and coach, built his practice on the back of his own divorce, shaping how he works.
Drawing from Neuro-Linguistic Programming, his approach is essentially about rewiring the thought patterns and communication habits that create conflict. It also blends counselling, coaching, and practical guidance.
He also works with whoever shows up, even if their partner doesn’t attend, which is sadly the case sometimes. Nevertheless, clients often say he has a knack for helping people see their situation clearly without ever making them feel judged.
Keith also offers a free 30-minute discovery session to get started, and backs his work with a full money-back guarantee if the meet doesn’t work out for you.
And while most counsellors offer a standard 60-minute slot, his initial session runs 5 to 6 hours, enough time to properly understand the patterns at play and build a customised toolkit for you.
Follow-up sessions are 2 to 3 hours each, but they can be exhausting and might not be for busy people without that much time on their hands.
Keith is a treasure trove of knowledge, wisdom and life skills
“My partner and I attended our initial session with Keith a couple of weeks ago and left feeling really encouraged and assured by the coaching we received. Keith is a treasure trove of knowledge, wisdom and life skills. In the 2 weeks since our session, we’ve taken his advice to start small but stay consistent when implementing changes and applying tools. We’ve already seen a huge reduction in how often we were arguing. We feel a lot more connected and while it is early days and we have a lot of homework to do (gradually) the tools we’ve been given are VERY effective and we’re so glad we went to see Keith. We’re looking forward to continuing to work through our homework and we are both feeling very hopeful about our future. Thank you Keith!”
- Katrina W., Google Review
We implemented the changes straight away and seeing the results so quickly
“We decided to work with Keith during a very hard period of our relationship and we are so glad we did! After spending the day getting an understanding and learning a new way to communicate not only with each other but our children aswell it was extremely eye opening for us both. We implemented the changes straight away and seeing the results so quickly has been further clarifying that he really knows what he is doing. I couldn’t recommend Keith enough to anyone and everyone for help at any time and not just once there is an issue.”
- Laura Wigham, Google Review
5. Ronald Hoang Marriage Counselling & Family Therapy
Address: 5/550 Blaxland Road, Eastwood NSW 2122
Contact details: +61403791315
Business hours:
- Monday: 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Friday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Many couples look for counselling because they feel stuck having the same arguments over and over again. Sydney-based counsellor Ronald Hoang focuses on helping partners break those negative cycles and build healthier ways of communicating.
With more than a decade of experience, he’s worked with couples to rebuild emotional connection and address deeper issues that often sit underneath recurring conflicts.
His sessions focus on Emotionally Focused Therapy and the Gottman Method, two widely respected approaches used in modern relationship counselling.
Ronald uses his techniques on a wide range of relationship dynamics and issues. He covers LGBTQ+ couples, long-distance, consensual non-monogamy, affair recovery, and pre-marriage counselling.
He’s also been featured in Forbes, Vogue, and GQ, which has helped raise his profile in the field.
Hoang offers a free 15-minute consultation, and sessions are available both in-person and online. However, since he runs a solo practice, appointment availability can sometimes be limited.
He made my fiancée and I feel very comfortable with opening up
“Ronald is an amazing counsellor. He is very professional, and made my fiancee and I feel very comfortable with opening up and discussing personal topics / issues. The sessions were very engaging & interesting. We gained a lot of valuable tips and insights to help us better manage certain aspects of our relationship moving forward. We highly recommend Ronald!”
- Maria Panagiotonakos, Google Review
He illustrates his concepts well with a little psychology and biology thrown in
“A man of infinite patience and a wealth of knowledge on building healthier relationships. He leads by example and illustrates his concepts well with a little psychology and biology thrown in. At the end of the day, it’s you and your partner who will fix your relationship – Ronald just shows you how to do it 👂 …”
- Nathan Crossland, Google Review