Relationship Wellness & Advice Blog | Relationships Squared

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Welcome to the Relationships Squared Blog

Here, we share evidence-based tools, Gottman Method insights, and practical guidance to help Melbourne couples navigate conflict and life transitions.

💡 A Note on Care: The articles and resources shared here are for educational and relationship wellness purposes only. Reading our blog or scheduling a discovery call does not establish a formal therapeutic relationship. If you are currently experiencing acute distress or a mental health crisis, please reach out to Lifeline (13 11 14), 13YARN (13 92 89), or emergency services on 000 immediately.

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A person sitting alone on a bed at night, staring at a glowing phone screen while looking for AI relationship advice vs couples therapy.

A person sitting alone on a bed at night, staring at a glowing phone screen while looking for AI relationship advice vs couples therapy.

AI Relationship Advice vs Couples Therapy: Why Your Relationship Needs a Human, Not an App

Introduction: The 2 AM Digital Echo Chamber Imagine it’s midnight. You’ve just had the same exhausting argument with your partner for the twentieth time. Frustrated, detached, and walking on eggshells, you turn to your phone. Maybe you open a general AI chatbot to vent, or perhaps you log into one of the popular new AI relationship coach apps or digital marriage assistants that promise instant therapy from your pocket. You pour your heart out, paste in your recent text argume

Dr Karin du Plessis, PhD

2 days ago6 min read

A sunlit forest trail splitting into two paths, linking to the Relationship Crossroads Self-Audit guide by Dr Karin Melbourne-based Couples Counsellor.

A sunlit forest trail splitting into two paths, linking to the Relationship Crossroads Self-Audit guide by Dr Karin Melbourne-based Couples Counsellor.

The Relationship Crossroads Self-Audit: How to Read Your Body’s Signals and Find a Path Forward when Feeling Ambivalent

Weighing up whether to stay or leave a romantic relationship can feel entirely paralysing. When you are caught in mixed-agenda ambivalence, your mind can run endless loops, analysing the past and trying to predict the future. This cognitive overload consumes massive amounts of mental energy, often leaving you feeling torn, exhausted, and frozen in limbo. This state of profound emotional paralysis is particularly intense if your current uncertainty has been driven by a recent

Dr Karin du Plessis, PhD

6 days ago11 min read

A serene and moody misty fog coastline with soft waves lapping on a dark sand beach, representing early relationship stabilisation and emotional safety after a breach of trust.

A serene and moody misty fog coastline with soft waves lapping on a dark sand beach, representing early relationship stabilisation and emotional safety after a breach of trust.

The First 72 Hours After a Breach of Trust: A Gentle Guide to Finding Your Footing

Reeling from a significant breach of trust? Discover a practical, gentle guide to managing emotional shock, avoiding common early pitfalls, and steadying your relationship during the critical first 72 hours.

Dr Karin du Plessis, PhD

Oct 155 min read

A wide, serene landscape shot of a middle-aged couple walking hand-in-hand along a quiet ocean coastline at sunset, reflecting the theme of navigating midlife relationship transitions together in Melbourne.

A wide, serene landscape shot of a middle-aged couple walking hand-in-hand along a quiet ocean coastline at sunset, reflecting the theme of navigating midlife relationship transitions together in Melbourne.

Navigating Perimenopause Together: How to Keep Your Relationship Squared During a Normal Life Transition

When we talk about major relationship milestones, we often focus on the early days of dating, moving in together, or navigating early parenthood. But there is another significant, deeply transformative biological and psychological milestone that many couples face in silence: perimenopause. Many couples find themselves firmly in the "sandwich generation"—juggling demanding, full-time careers while simultaneously managing active parenting duties with children and step-parenting

Dr Karin du Plessis, PhD

Oct 128 min read

Older couple standing at the Twelve Apostles lookout along Victoria's coast, symbolising life-stage transitions and long-term commitment in Melbourne couples therapy.

Older couple standing at the Twelve Apostles lookout along Victoria's coast, symbolising life-stage transitions and long-term commitment in Melbourne couples therapy.

The Quiet House: Navigating the Empty Nest and Retirement Roommate Trap

Staring at a quiet house? Learn how to break free from the empty nest roommate trap using practical Gottman Method rituals of connection.

Dr Karin du Plessis, PhD

Oct 64 min read

A couple in a household kitchen setting, both distracted by separate daily tasks and household logistics, visually representing the transactional roommate dynamic and shared mental load strain experienced by busy parents.

A couple in a household kitchen setting, both distracted by separate daily tasks and household logistics, visually representing the transactional roommate dynamic and shared mental load strain experienced by busy parents.

The Invisible Weight: Rebalancing the Mental Load and Your Emotional Bank Account

Drowning in the household mental load while your partner feels unappreciated for physical tasks? Discover how to break the stalemate using Gottman and Fair Play.

Dr Karin du Plessis, PhD

Oct 55 min read

A happy, relaxed couple hugging in a sunlit park, symbolising proactive relationship preparation and choosing pre-marital counselling in Melbourne.

A happy, relaxed couple hugging in a sunlit park, symbolising proactive relationship preparation and choosing pre-marital counselling in Melbourne.

Planning the Marriage, Not Just the Wedding: The Power of Proactive Relationship Prep

Planning a wedding in Melbourne? Discover why proactive pre-marital counselling isn't about fixing problems—it's about protecting your future.

Dr Karin du Plessis, PhD

Oct 52 min read

Unhurried couple walking and holding hands after weekend couples counselling at Relationships Squared in Carlton North, Melbourne.

Unhurried couple walking and holding hands after weekend couples counselling at Relationships Squared in Carlton North, Melbourne.

Struggling to Make it Through the Weekend? Why Weekend Couples Counselling in Melbourne is a Game Changer

Rushing to therapy after a long workday rarely works. Discover why unhurried weekend couples counselling in Melbourne gives you the space to process and heal.

Dr Karin du Plessis, PhD

Oct 22 min read

Eggs with emojis symbolising sharing of feelings with our partner while it can be delicate is important.

Eggs with emojis symbolising sharing of feelings with our partner while it can be delicate is important.

What are you feeling? (and tell your partner)

Learn how to identify your emotions, de-escalate standard arguments, and safely share your inner world with your partner using proven Gottman Method tips.

Dr Karin du Plessis, PhD

Apr 303 min read

Criticism and defensiveness

Criticism and defensiveness

Defensiveness - Own your part

Tips for defusing defensiveness and owning your part in the argument

Dr Karin du Plessis, PhD

May 5, 20253 min read

Which of these common relationship myths do you believe?

Which of these common relationship myths do you believe?

Which of these common relationship myths do you believe?

Fairy tales, Hollywood movies and shows, as well as countless of romantic songs are filled with myths about relationships - particularly...

Dr Karin du Plessis, PhD

Jan 6, 20253 min read

A couple looking into the daylight sky of a New Year with love and hope

A couple looking into the daylight sky of a New Year with love and hope

Couples' New Year's Resolutions: Prioritising "Us" this Year

Transform your partnership this New Year. Discover 4 actionable ways to stack healthy relationship habits, boost physical affection, and stay connected.

Dr Karin du Plessis, PhD

Dec 22, 20236 min read

A pink ceramic piggy bank sitting next to a calculator on a desk, representing household budgeting and financial stress in relationships.

A pink ceramic piggy bank sitting next to a calculator on a desk, representing household budgeting and financial stress in relationships.

Financial Stress in Relationships: How to Stop Money Disagreements and Fights

Stop having the same money disagreements and fights. Learn how to identify your childhood money scripts, calm your nervous system, and handle financial stress as a team.

Dr Karin du Plessis, PhD

Jun 13, 20235 min read

Doing the work to maintain relational health

Doing the work to maintain relational health

Doing the work to maintain relational health

In long term relationships we know that working on your relationship is important and normal - it doesn't just magically happen by itself. Sometimes we can be holding on to myths that "if it was meant to be, it would be easy" or "relationships shouldn't take work". Going through cycles of disconnect and reconnection is normal, but we have to be intentional about the reconnect. To work on our relationship, we have to be willing to look at what is on our side of the fence, and

Dr Karin du Plessis, PhD

Apr 17, 20232 min read

Celebrating your Sweetheart

Celebrating your Sweetheart

Celebrating your Sweetheart

February has a long association with being the month of celebrating love, and in particular on the 14th of February, Valentine's Day,...

Dr Karin du Plessis, PhD

Feb 5, 20232 min read

Step/Blended Family Resources

Step/Blended Family Resources

Step/Blended Family Resources

Here is a collection of resources which point to some things which blended families might find helpful in considering. Depending on what...

Dr Karin du Plessis, PhD

Nov 25, 20224 min read

Small Positive Things Often

Small Positive Things Often

Small Positive Things Often

For great relationship health you need to invest in your relationship often. Grand gestures are good and fine, and certainly important on...

Dr Karin du Plessis, PhD

Nov 15, 20221 min read

"Are you listening to me?": Tips on helping your partner feel heard and understood

"Are you listening to me?": Tips on helping your partner feel heard and understood

"Are you listening to me?": Tips on helping your partner feel heard and understood

Listening is an underrated art. Get it right, and our partner feels heard and understood. Get it wrong, and we run our responses on (often old) assumptions that very often miss the mark, and lead to arguments. This happens because we are often forming our own counter-arguments when our partner is talking. Listening with an open heart (and ears!) while suspending our own agenda is an essential relationship skill to really hear what our partner is saying. It can be challenging

Dr Karin du Plessis, PhD

Sep 6, 20223 min read

Relationship ambivalence and uncertainty

Relationship ambivalence and uncertainty

Uncertainty & Weighing up whether to Stay or Go

Feeling caught in relational limbo? Discover psychological research, reflection strategies, and professional approaches to help you decide whether to stay or go.

Dr Karin du Plessis, PhD

Jul 18, 20227 min read

Peace & Love

Peace & Love

Peace & Love

Disclaimer: This post is for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be taken as counselling/therapy advice or used as...

Dr Karin du Plessis, PhD

Jul 1, 20221 min read

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