Our first session is an opportunity for me to get to know you both, understand what has brought you to therapy and hear what you would like to change. We’ll explore your relationship and begin noticing what happens between you, particularly when communication becomes difficult. You don’t need to have everything worked out before you arrive.

PACT stands for the Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy. It brings together attachment theory, neuroscience and an understanding of how our nervous systems respond in relationships. I pay attention to what is happening between you in the room, helping you recognise patterns, understand each other’s responses and practise ways of creating greater safety and connection.

No. You might be feeling disconnected, having the same arguments or navigating a change in your lives. You may simply want to strengthen an already good relationship. Couples therapy provides space to understand each other more deeply and address concerns before they become harder to manage.

Six focused hours to create meaningful change in your relationship.

Sometimes, weekly or fortnightly therapy doesn't provide the time and space couples need to get to the heart of what is happening in their relationship.

Melissa's One Day Couple Intensives offer six hours of focused therapy, giving you the opportunity to slow things down, understand each other more deeply and work through the patterns that may be keeping you stuck.

Together, we will explore the challenges in your relationship, uncover what is happening beneath the surface and begin creating a stronger foundation of safety, connection and trust.

The PACT Approach

Melissa's work is guided by PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy), an approach informed by neuroscience, attachment theory and the biology of human arousal.

PACT helps couples understand the unconscious patterns that influence how they respond to one another, particularly during moments of stress and conflict.

By bringing these patterns into awareness, couples can begin to change how they relate to each other and develop a more secure functioning relationship – one where both partners feel safe, understood and deeply connected.

Who Can Benefit?

One Day Intensives can help couples experiencing a wide range of relationship challenges. They are particularly valuable for couples who:

• Feel stuck in recurring arguments or patterns of disconnection.

• Want to rebuild trust, intimacy and emotional connection.

• Are facing significant relationship challenges or considering separation.

• Want to strengthen their relationship before marriage.

• Are committed to creating a healthier, more secure future together.

What Happens During Your Six Hours?

Your intensive with Melissa is tailored to your relationship and may include:

• Exploring your primary concerns and relationship challenges.

• Guided conversations, with Melissa observing and offering feedback.

• Understanding your individual attachment styles and responses.

• Learning and practising more effective ways to communicate.

• Experiential exercises to build safety, trust and connection.

• Developing up to four practical skills to take home and begin using immediately.

A Different Way Forward

The opportunity to dedicate an entire day to your relationship can create space for conversations, understanding and meaningful work that can be difficult to achieve in shorter sessions.

You will leave with a deeper understanding of each other, practical tools to support change and a clearer sense of how to move forward together.

Your relationship deserves the time, attention and care needed to help it thrive.