Sydney Couple and Family Specialists

30/05/2025

Wondering what you need to look out for to book a properly trained couples therapist? Please read this blog

When couples first reach out to me, they’re often feeling overwhelmed and unsure if counseling can really help, but above all, they’re hoping to find a way to save their relationship. As someone who has supported couples in Sydney for over 25 years, I know that choosing the right counsellor can ...

28/04/2025

Many people I see wonder when the best time is to introduce their children to a new partner after separation. The answer is to make sure your children are emotionally ready for this next step otherwise the chances of relationship breakdowns can be high.

If you would like to know more, please read this blog here.

Learn the best timing, language, and tips for introducing a new partner to your kids. Therapist-approved advice for real-life parenting.

17/03/2025

One of the most common complaints with the couples we work with is a feeling of disconnection in their relationship. It takes a bit of work to stay connected in long term relationships when there are competing demands - children, work and so on. In this blog I outline some simple things you can both do which helps with connection.

Do you feel closer to your children or work colleagues than you do to your partner? Does your spouse or partner feel like someone who just happens to live in the same home as you? How long has it been since you and your partner kissed? Not just a peck but a proper, intimate, fully engaged kiss? Hmm....

06/03/2025

We receive many enquiries from people who are seeking to understand how a diagnosis of ADHD and or ASD could be impacting their relationships. In this article I discuss the many ways couples counselling can help you and your partner if one or both of you are living with ADHD or ASD.

Over the last decade, Sydney Couple and Family Specialists have seen a marked increase in people seeking couples counselling because ADHD and/or ASD is causing challenges in their relationship. What’s behind the increase? There are several factors at play. There are many more adults who are open t...

15/01/2025

Happy new year!

Holiday breaks are wonderful for many. However, for some they bring a different type of stress. Being out of a routine can be difficult for a lot of people. As can long days with families or partners if you are not getting along. In this blog I outline 10 practical things you can immediately do to reduce conflict in your relationships without seeing a couples counsellor.

Wishing you good relationship health for 2025.

In this blog, leading couples counsellor Jacqueline Mcdiarmid offers 10 ways to reduce conflict in your relationship

24/09/2024

One of the biggest causes we see in high conflict couples is a difference in values. For some ideas about this please read here.

Couples Counsellor jacqulueline Mcdiarmid explains how differences in couple's values can lead to conflict in their relationship.

17/09/2024

I have written this particular blog to try to help people look for the right credentials when they embark on the journey of couples counselling. The fact that anyone can call themselves a couple's counsellor without any specialised training in couples counselling has bothered me for years. Especially as I am passionate about training Therapists to be highly skilled couple and family therapists.

Couples counsellor Jacqueline Mcdiarmid explains how to find the right couple counsellor and which ones to avoid

05/09/2023

Do you or your partner have a trauma history? If so, you might be wondering what to look for when seeking couples counselling. Please see this blog to hear my ideas.

Jacqueline explains how couples counselling you really help couples who have experienced trauma in the past.

04/05/2023

Cancer - not an easy subject to talk about and fairly confronting for most of us. But the reality is many people are diagnosed with cancer every day and many more are on the cancer journey. Cancer just doesn't impact the person who has it but also loved ones.

This blog looks at how couples counselling can support a couple who are living with a cancer diagnosis. I haven't discussed children in this article, I just wanted to focus on a couple for this one. However, I will discuss ways to support children in the next blog.

Please read this article here.

Leading couples therapist, Jacqueline McDiarmid from the Sydney Couple and Family Specialists talks about the advantages and process of couples counselling following a cancer diagnosis.

31/01/2023

Happy new year everyone.

For many, January is a month of rest and time with loved ones. However, the reality is it's also a very difficult time of year and some people make the hard decision to separate from their partner. I know because I get a whole lot of people asking to see me for support with this.

I have written a piece on "Divorce Counselling" - a term that is being talked about a lot at the moment. I hope it helps with providing clarity about what divorce counselling is, what to look for and things to consider when you separate. Please read here:
https://sydneycoupleandfamily.com/uncategorized/what-is-divorce-and-separation-counselling/

The terms ‘separation counselling’ and ‘divorce counselling’ describe counselling for couples or individuals who want support while they go through the process of formally ending their relationship. The process is the same, regardless of whether they have been legally married or not. In my S...

07/09/2021

I can say as a Couple and Family Therapist, I am absolutely walking the journey with many of my clients who are experiencing lockdown stress.

Parents are worried about kids (I will do a blog on this next week), people miss their families, young adults feel trapped and resentful, parents are struggling to stay connected with their partners and everyone's mental health seems to be up and down.

This week I am tackling couples because couples with kids have arguably the toughest gig right now juggling home learning and work. They tell me they have no time for each other, feel exhausted, stressed and over the home learning situation.

I have been helping many of these couples try and stay connected during the difficult lockdown situation. Maybe some of the ideas in my latest blog will help you also.

Remember to reach out if you are struggling. And hang in there. We will get through this.

The lockdown in Sydney has been challenging for all of us, but especially for couples who are working and have children and teenagers in the home. I am hearing this in my couple and family counselling work, and also living it! Parents have found themselves working (sometimes longer hours than before...

19/04/2021

Jacqueline McDiarmid recently featured on the TV show Insight as their relationship expert. This show featured couples who have been in long term relationships despite challenges presented to them. If you are keen to see the show you can catch it on SBS demand here.
https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/watch/1874233923633