Relationship Institute Australasia

Counselling for couples and Professional Training in evidenced-based couples therapy.

RIA is the brainchild of Trish and John. We first met in 2005 when we were asked to co-facilitate a lifestyle management program with a group of Vietnam veterans. During the program, we discovered that we shared an interest in helping people live more satisfying, fulfilled and enjoyable lives.

Over several years of working together and refining our thinking and knowledge about what works and what doesn’t work in helping couples, we conceived the idea of Relationship Institute Australasia.

Since meeting in 2005 we have been honing our skills, and adding to our theoretical knowledge and clinical skills through formal training and reflective practice. Finally, we launched RIA in September 2012.

Our guiding principle, is to utilise sound, evidenced-based approaches to help people build, repair and rejuvenate strong, sustainable relationships. We are also committed to developing and training relationship therapists across Australia, NZ, and Asia. Expanding the network of expert therapists will assist us to reach as many people in as many communities as possible.

Together, we have more than 60 years of career experience in the fields of community engagement, organisational development, group process, clinical practice, relationship counselling, life coaching and professional training. In addition, we have more than 40 years experience of being in intimate relationships with our own spouses Mark and Tracy.

We can help by providing couple counselling in person; via Skype or FaceTime; or through one of our range of workshops.

Based on the work of world renowned couples researchers and therapists, including John and Julie Gottman, Susan Johnson, Dan Wile and others, we provide a straightforward framework in which any couple can learn tools and exercises to renew, repair, rebuild and rejuvenate their relationship. Our evidence-based approach to relationships provides a clear and uncomplicated structure to improving /strengthening relationships.

A strong, healthy and fun relationship can be a cornerstone of support in your life. Good relationships improve all aspects of your life, strengthening your health and wellbeing, your career, your resilience, and your connections with family, friends and colleagues. Relationships are your most important investment; they provide the structure not only for love and connection but also for families, finances and recreation.

Strong relationships do not happen by chance. John Gottman says couples generally fall into two broad categories - masters of relationships and disasters of relationships.

We know that the masters of relationships think, feel and act in ways that create long-lasting bonds of connection. We know that successful relationships are developed on the bases of friendship and appreciation. Masters use respect and gentleness in managing conflict and build upon each other’s goals and aspirations.

However, when relationships are not working, significant stress, anxiety and negative conflict are created. We know that the disasters of relationships turn away from each other and rarely give positive feedback or demonstrate appreciation toward each other. When in conflict, disasters of relationships use contempt, criticism and defensiveness to protect their position. Good listening is nonexistent.

Our programs are filled with practical strategies that go to the heart of what makes relationships strong, meaningful and connected. We will provide you with the techniques to strengthen and build stronger, closer and more intimate relationships.

Couple Counselling can be managed in a number of ways:
In Person
Attend one of our offices on the Gold Coast or be referred to a suitably proficient professional in your state for 1 or 2 hour sessions.

Skype or FaceTime
Arrange Skype or FaceTime sessions with Trish or John for 1 or 2 hour sessions.

Marathon Therapy
Book a 2 or 3 day marathon adventure with either Trish or John (2 or 3 intensive days just focused on you and your relationship – weekend marathons available) in one of our offices on the Gold Coast


Presently we offer three levels of weekend workshops.

Level 1 : The Relationship Recipe
A 2 day workshop filled with practical, evidence based tools and strategies that go to the heart of what makes relationships strong, meaningful and connected. Learn how to bulid stronger, closer and more intimate relationships.

Level 2 : Getting to the Heart of It
A 2 day workshop focussing on identifying and developing the deeper meaning in your relationship. In this smaller, limited number workshop you will have opportunities to work both independently and with a coach to repair old wounds, learn to hear and speak the deeper yearning in your own and your partner's complaints and build a safe and self-sustaining environment of intimate connection

Level 3 : Group Marathon Workshop
Limited to 6 couples, this intensive 2 day workshop is designed for couples who want to discover what it means to live a fully expressed emotionally connected life with each other and in concert with their family, friends and neighbours. We learn much about ourselves and our lives through the stories of others and through connecting at a deeper level within our wider circles of influence we not only create stronger more fulfilling community, we also enrich our own experience of life, love and intimacy that create unbreakable bonds.