Relationship Counselling for individuals
The most important relationship you will ever have is the one you cultivate with yourself.
Relationship Counselling for individuals
The most important relationship you will ever have is the one you cultivate with yourself.
Relationship Counselling for individuals is designed to help you explore and transform how you navigate your vulnerabilities, emotions and inner world, to develop a greater understanding of yourself, others and your relationships in all their diverse aspects.
The quality of our relationships influences our sense of belonging and wellbeing. To truly feel secure in our relationships, we need to embrace our unique qualities, individual differences and identities to connect more fully with ourselves, who we were before the world told us how we should be.
The most important journey you will ever take is one of self-discovery. The tools we need are courage, self-compassion, emotional agility, and equanimity; the ability to create calm and even mindedness in the face of relational challenges.
“Love is not to be found in someone else, but in ourselves; we simply awaken it." - Paulo Coelho
“The strongest love is the love that can demonstrate its fragility.” - Paulo Coelho

Relationship Counselling at landscape of life
is informed by the science of attachment, relationships and wellbeing. Jo (she/her) integrates the paradigms and practices of modern psychology and neuroscience, Western relational psychology and Eastern contemplative practice to help people develop a better understanding of themselves, others and their relationships to be more fully who they really are, as they navigate the challenges and transitions of life.
Jo's practice is grounded in person centred, humanistic attachment orientated Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals (EFIT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), the principals and practices of Mindful-Self Compassion (MSC) and other frameworks tailored to resource you to respond to specific relationship dynamics.
What is Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals (EFIT)?
Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) is a powerful therapeutic approach designed to help individuals reconnect with disowned aspects of themselves—those parts of their emotional experience or identity that have been suppressed or ignored. These disowned aspects often arise from past trauma, shame, or negative self-judgments, leading people to disconnect from certain feelings, desires, or vulnerabilities.
The EFIT process is attachment orientated and trauma informed. The EFIT therapist works collaboratively, to create a safe, inclusive space where individuals can acknowledge, explore and integrate neglected parts of self, emotions or traits and how they drive perceptions, behaviours and relationships.
As a result EFIT helps reduce internal conflict, developing healthier ways of responding to feelings and ultimately aims to build self-awareness, emotion regulation and resilience, and create a stronger, more compassionate connection to oneself.

Relationship Counsellor · Jo Gniel (she/her)
- Professional affiliations
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- ICEEFT, Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist and Supervisor in training
- MCEFT, founding member of organising group
- PACFA, Clinical Psychotherapist and Supervisor
- USCD, Trained teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion
- Academic Qualifications
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- B App Psych (Hon)
- B Sc (Bio-medicine)
- Grad Dip Psych
- Grad Dip Counselling
- Professional training in
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- Narrative Therapy
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
Relationship counselling for individuals in Melbourne or Online
IN PERSON (Glen Iris, Melbourne)
IN PERSON Relationship Counselling appointments are held in Glen Iris, Melbourne. If you are near me in the adjacent suburbs of Camberwell, Malvern, Malvern East, Chadstone, Carnegie, Canterbury, Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Surrey Hills or other Inner Eastern suburbs of Melbourne or happy to travel from further afield we are located near the High Street exit of the Monash.
Online
ONLINE Relationship Counselling appointments are held via Zoom if you are based in regional, rural or remote parts of Victoria, Australia, US (after hours) Asia, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Middle East, UK, Europe.
Resource library
To help you navigate the landscape of life we've carefully curated a resource library and invite you to explore some of the leading voices in the field of relationships and wellbeing. Each resource provides the opportunity to deepen your understanding, nurture self-awareness, and connect more fully with yourself and others. Should you choose to wander through these resources, please know that some links are affiliate-based. If you make a purchase, we may receive a small commission—at no extra cost to you. It's a simple way to support our work while you nourish your own growth.
The Love Secret
In The Love Secret, Dr. Sue Johnson reveals that lasting, loving relationships are achievable, debunking societal pessimism. Drawing from attachment theory and her own research, she explains how our brains are wired for connection and provides insights to build stable, fulfilling bonds.
Fierce Self-Compassion
The Relationship Cure
In The Relationship Cure, Dr. John M. Gottman presents a simple five-step program to improve relationships with spouses, family, and colleagues. Based on 20 years of research, the book emphasizes emotional connection and introduces the concept of emotional "bids" to strengthen bonds and improve communication.
Secure Love
Self-Compassion
Radical Acceptance
Relationship journals
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