Roda Coleman

I knew I wanted to be a couples’ therapist from a young age, possibly due to the lack of healthy relationship I saw around me and a desire to see greater depth of connection in families, leading me to study psychology in university. However, my life took a detour with some twists and turns - I moved internationally, faced a life-threatening illness, and supported a partner with chronic health - and it would be another twelve years before I studied a masters of counselling and training in relationship therapy.

Studying again and working on my masters, I rediscovered my passion for self-awareness, growth and relational development specifically in the context of couples’ work. I encountered the beauty of the ‘wounded healer’ - my own past trauma, pain and suffering becoming a source of hope for others - and its capacity to create connection. I admire a clients’ decision to begin the therapeutic journey and discover their true thoughts, emotions and longings, and share them with me. My intent as a therapist is to create a space where each can do so in a way that is honouring and healing. 

Connect

How I practice

I approach each client with calmness, warmth, and curiosity and believe that feeling genuinely heard and understood can support meaningful change. My approach is collaborative, person-centred and trauma informed. What this means is we work together to discover what is best for you - the client and expert of your life. I draw on experiential and relational therapies - reflecting on what is happening in the present, moment-to moment - to help clients explore what is happening beneath the surface, understand their emotional responses and create new, more authentic ways of relating to self and others. 

I especially enjoy working with couples experiencing relationship distress, communication difficulties, emotional and sexual disconnection, recurring conflict, betrayal and infidelity, and struggling to process and resolve differences. I understand that difficulties within a relationship can impact and have ripple effects into all other areas of the couples’ lives, and leave partners feeling disillusioned and disconnected from themselves, each other, and the world around them.

I provide a calm and supportive space where partners find a more solid ground within themselves, allowing for better understanding of self and their relationship patterns, work towards meaningful change, and find greater depth of emotional connection and meaning. I support couples at different stages of their relationship, including those wanting to strengthen their connection, navigate a period of crisis, repair ruptures and betrayals or make important decisions. Together, we collaboratively work to develop each partners capacity to self reflect, know their inner world of thoughts, feelings and desires, and share with each other in ways that remain true to self and are heard by the other, without neglecting the connection or compromising integrity. At times, things are surfaced that may feel confronting, as though looking in the mirror for the first time. It takes courage, and my intent as a counsellor is to create a space where individuals and partners can reflect, process the natural, unavoidable discomfort of emotional growth and human reality of ‘clean pain’, instead of the ‘dirty pain’ created when we try to avoid, deny or blame others, and in the process discover our best selves - compassionate, empathic, and connected.

What does the couples process look like ?

Whether you want to come to counselling on your own, for individual work, or together with your partner for relationship therapy, I am honoured to offer you my support and reflective space as counsellor and therapist.

The process of couples therapy involves an initial 75 minute session together as a couple, followed by 2 separate individual 60 minutes sessions - giving each partner space on their own to discuss their family of origin and anything pertinent to them as separate individuals - and then continue with 75 minute sessions together as a couple. 

At times throughout the process, one or both partners might benefit from individual work, with the intent to process something specific that’s come up in the dynamic. This is something we decide together, and only if agreed upon by both partners. 

  • Masters of Counselling, 2023

  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Seattle University, 2008

Education

  • The Developmental Model of Couples Therapy: Integrating Attachment, Differentiation and Neuroscience - Couples Institute, California USA

  • Externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples – Emotionally Focused Therapy and Training Australia, Brisbane

Trainings

  • I see clients in the clinic every second Friday in the clinic.

    Please enquire to learn more about my current availability.

  • Individuals | 60 minutes

    $160 (GST inclusive)

    Couples | 75 minutes

    $220 (GST Inclusive)

    Private Health Rebates

    I am able to offer rebates with the following providers:

    Bupa 

    Medibank 

    HCF 

    ARHG 

    ahm  

    Specific provider numbers are included on all invoices.

  • Professional Membership & Ethics

    PACFA members, including practitioners, affiliates, students, educators, trainers and researchers, are required to work to the high standard of ethical conduct set out in the PACFA Code of Ethics 2017.

The Place Within operates on the land of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera and Turrbal Peoples. We acknowledge these peoples as the traditional custodians of this land. We pay respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples. We are committed to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ wisdom, culture, dreaming and ongoing connection to Country. Sovereignty was never ceded.

We also recognise the strength and diversity of all marginalised communities, including LGBTQIA+ people, and are committed to fostering an inclusive, affirming space for all.