Philipa Thornton: Your Partner in Healing and Strengthening Relationships
Hi, I’m Philipa Thornton, and I’m here to help you navigate the ups and downs of your relationship. With decades of experience in relationship counselling, I’ve seen firsthand the struggles that couples face—whether it’s constant arguments over the same issues, feeling disconnected from your partner, or wondering if you’ve lost the love that once brought you together.
If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone, and there is hope.
As the Principal Director of Marriage Works in Sydney, Australia, alongside my husband Chris Paulin consultant psychologist, I’ve dedicated my career to helping couples just like you find their way back to each other.
Relationships can be hard work, and life’s challenges can sometimes get in the way of the love and connection you once had. Whether it’s stress from work, parenting pressures, or unresolved issues from the past, these pain points can cause distance and conflict in even the strongest relationships.
One of the most common problems I see is the breakdown in communication. You know the pattern—one partner feels unheard, the other gets defensive, and before you know it, a small disagreement turns into a major argument. This cycle can leave you both feeling frustrated, lonely, and disconnected.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Through Imago Relationship Therapy, I help couples break out of these destructive patterns. Imago Therapy is all about understanding the underlying needs and fears that drive your behaviour in a relationship. By exploring these deeper issues, I guide you and your partner to communicate in a way that truly connects, helping you both feel heard, valued, and loved.
In addition to my work in Imago Therapy, I also provide couples workshops. An intensive retreat is a powerful, transformative experience that helps couples reconnect and rediscover the love that brought them together. It’s designed to address the specific concerns couples like you face, whether it’s communication breakdowns, intimacy issues, or simply feeling like you’ve lost that spark. Through this weekend workshop, I help you and your partner develop a deeper understanding of each other’s needs and desires, paving the way for a more fulfilling and lasting relationship. You get to learn by doing and have the manual to take home with you. Many couples find this program to be a game-changer, offering practical tools and insights that can be applied immediately to strengthen your relationship.
I’m also a psychologist certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and training Deep Brain Reorientation Levels. These advanced techniques are especially effective in treating trauma and deeply ingrained emotional patterns that may be affecting your relationship. EMDR is a well-established method for helping individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences, while Deep Brain Reorientation offers cutting-edge insights into reprogramming the brain’s response to distressing situations and emotional triggers. Integrating these approaches into my work allows me to offer a holistic and deeply healing experience for couples who are dealing with the aftermath of trauma or chronic emotional pain.
Another commonly understood and well researched knowledge is how our present day patterns are formed from our past. How you feel connected to your partner and able to attach to them or not. Whether it’s something from your childhood or a more recent experience. Let’s face it most of us didn’t see ideal ways of resolving conflict. These skills can be learned.
My approach combines psycho education and trauma treatment with Resource Therapy, a powerful strength based parts model that helps you heal and move forward. Together, we’ll work to release these emotional blocks so you can rebuild trust and intimacy with your partner.
I understand that your relationship is unique, and so are the challenges you face. That’s why I tailor my approach to meet your specific needs, whether you’re struggling with intimacy issues, feeling stuck in a cycle of conflict, or simply wanting to reconnect on a deeper level. My goal is to help you not just resolve these issues, but to build a stronger, more fulfilling relationship that can withstand life’s ups and downs.
Imagine what it would feel like to truly understand your partner, to feel connected and loved, and to have the tools to navigate any challenges that come your way. This is possible, and I’m here to help you achieve it and take your knowledge beyond the therapy room, out into your world.
If you’re ready to take the first step towards healing and strengthening your relationship, I encourage you to reach out. Visit our website to learn more about how I can support you on this journey. Let’s work together to turn your relationship into a source of joy and strength.
Because you both deserve a love that lasts.
Website https://marriageworks.com.au/
Ph +61434559011
Address: 9 Frances St Randwick NSW 2031
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