What are Assessments?

Assessments help couples identify strengths, resources and challenges and provide a suggested path forward.

Why do them?

Couples in distress come into therapy in most cases having struggled for years with their issues. So at some level their situation is not making sense to them. For many couples therapy is a last ditch desperation attempt - this often means that the couple genuinely is in crisis because hope is low.

Assessments helps couples identify how they can succeed - what it will take and where they are stuck. This gives the couple a genuine choice because they know what they are committing to. It's also very common that it removes a lot of shame and blaming because it shows how the couples unique dynamic got them stuck - even when they were trying really hard.

Why doesn't every therapist do assessments?

Honestly, Steven was surprised that they didn't. It was pointed out to him in team trainings that it was unusual how he told couples what he was seeing, how it contributed to their dynamic and how he proposed to treat them based on those. Individual therapists are specifically trained to not offer advice and for many this injunction followed them into couples therapy.

Assessment as part of the intake process is a central part of Relate's therapy model PORT - Presence Oriented Relationship Therapy.

Why is is just Steven offering Crisis Assessments?

As the Clinical Training Director Steven has a lower client case load so he is typically able to see crisis assessment clients faster.

Also as he is trained in multiple therapy approaches including Imago Relationship Therapy, Gottman Method, PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy), EFT (Emotionally Focussed Therapy), Developmental Method, HEART (Humanistic Approach to Relationship Therapy) and has exposure to others such as ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Internal Family Systems, Gestalt, Psychodrama, Dan Wiles and Terry Real's training he is able to get a sense of couples previous therapy experiences and make appropriate suggestions based off a very broad range of options.

Who is Steven

Steven is the Clinical Director of Relate and the only NZ therapist trained in the top five approaches to couples therapy and the lead author of Presence Oriented Relationship Therapy – an advanced integrated approach to working with couples.  He has worked with couples for over 2 decades.

His approach is to empower couples with tools to communicate effectively so that they can feel safe, loved and desired. He has a special interest in working with couples preparing for marriage and also couples recovering from betrayal and broken trust. Steven also runs full day and multi-day intensive therapy sessions

Working with Steven typically starts with an assessment to develop an action and progress plan and also to see if additional or alternate resources are required.

Steven’s approach combines practical guidance and coaching in a warm and safe environment, along with teaching about the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ of building love.

Can I see Steven In-Person or Online?

Steven offers both Zoom and in-person appointments.

Which Assessment should I choose?

The only difference between the 2 assessments is the length of time. Generally select Rapid Assessments for communication and connection issues. Couples struggling with trust and betrayal issues should select an in-depth assessment. 

Steven 2 Hour Rapid Assessment - Zoom

Steven 2 Hour Rapid Assessment - In Person at Victoria Park Auckland

Steven 3 Hour In-Depth Assessment - Zoom

Steven 3 Hour In-Depth Assessment - In Person at Victoria Park Auckland

If you are interested in an intensive book an assessment and we will plan for this in the assessment.