Individual & couples counselling · Canberra
Counselling for individuals and couples navigating challenges, seeking change or wanting to build stronger relationships.
With Jefferson and Katie Godfrey, qualified counsellors who work individually and together as a counselling couple.
A distinctive approach to couples counselling with both Jefferson and Katie in the room.
“You do not need to have a clearly defined problem before reaching out.”
Sometimes you know something is difficult, but you cannot quite put your finger on what needs to change. You might be feeling stuck in familiar patterns, carrying a private struggle or wanting to find your way back to each other.
We offer a space where you can begin to make sense of what has been happening. We listen carefully, work at a pace that fits your circumstances and help you consider meaningful next steps.
Get to know Jefferson and KatieYou can begin with individual counselling, come together as a couple or seek supervision for your professional practice.
View all counselling services →Explore grief, stress, relationships, significant life changes, emotional patterns and questions that are difficult to work through alone. We also offer specialist support for sexual behaviour concerns and the effects of betrayal.
Explore individual counselling →Jefferson and Katie work together as a counselling couple with a couple. We help you recognise the patterns between you, improve understanding, address difficult conversations and work towards healthier ways of relating.
Explore couples counselling →Reflective supervision with qualified counsellor supervisors, offering room to consider your client work, professional responsibilities, development and practice. Availability and format can be discussed individually.
Explore supervision →Some challenges benefit from particular knowledge, careful assessment and a clear approach to the work ahead.
Explore all specialist support →Patterns of pursuing and withdrawing, repeated arguments, emotional distance, communication difficulties and rebuilding ways to hear one another.
Support for the impact of secrecy and sexual betrayal, including individual support for affected partners and relationship work where it is appropriate and safe.
Jefferson offers focused individual counselling for people seeking to understand and change patterns of pornography use and compulsive sexual behaviour, with attention to underlying drivers and lasting change.
Premarital conversations, strengthening relationships and group workshops informed by relationship research.
Our six-week group programmes are designed for singles and couples who want practical relationship learning. Enquire about the next programme start.
Explore workshops and programmes →Gottman Seven Principles: Lessons in Love is a six-week group programme for singles exploring what helps healthy relationships develop.
A six-week group programme for couples exploring friendship, connection and managing differences using principles drawn from Gottman research.
Relationship education and counselling approaches informed by the Gottmans’ research on friendship, conflict and connection.
Next group start Enquire to find out about the next six-week group start, available dates and the joining process.
At Querencia, our retreat property on 100 acres of Australian bushland, we create space for people to pause and invest in what matters.
Our Seven Principles Retreat, based on the Gottmans' relationship research, is a small-group educational weekend for couples. Teaching is combined with guided exercises that couples complete privately together. It is a relationship retreat, not couples therapy.
Know more about our retreats →We have been married since 1997 and are both qualified counsellors and supervisors. In couples counselling, we work together as a couple with a couple.
Counsellor · clinical supervisor · educator
Katie brings more than two decades of experience across counselling, teaching and group work. Her approach is calm, attentive and relational, including particular support for partners affected by sexual betrayal.
Master of Counselling · Graduate Certificate in Supervision · Advanced Diploma of Counselling and Family Therapy
Counsellor · supervisor
Jefferson has more than a decade of counselling experience and a grounded, practical approach. He has a particular interest in compulsive sexual behaviour, pornography use and helping people identify patterns that keep them stuck.
Master of Counselling · Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Spiritual) · Advanced Diploma of Counselling and Family Therapy
We can include Christian faith, spirituality and questions of meaning where they matter to you. We also work respectfully with people who do not share a Christian faith or do not want faith to be part of counselling. Your values and beliefs will not be assumed or imposed.
You do not need to have your story organised before you get in touch. The first appointment is an opportunity to begin understanding what brings you here.
Email us with the type of counselling you are seeking. You do not need to provide a detailed history by email.
We generally respond with approximately three of the nearest available appointment options. An invoice is issued when you choose a time, and prepayment secures the first session.
We begin by listening, understanding relevant background and discussing what may help. Further appointments are discussed together.
Some practical information to help you decide whether Providence is the right next step.
Still have a question? Contact usYes. In our usual couples counselling model, Jefferson and Katie attend together and both participate in the work with you as a couple.
No. It is common to know something is not working without yet having words for it. Understanding the concerns is part of the first appointment.
No. Faith and spirituality can be included where they matter to you. Your beliefs are respected and faith is not assumed or imposed.
Confidentiality is explained in the counselling agreement, including its legal and safety limits. Private disclosures and information shared outside joint sessions require particular care. You can ask us about these arrangements before sharing information you expect to remain hidden from your partner.
That depends on what you are bringing to counselling. Some people attend for a small number of focused appointments, while others prefer longer-term work. We review progress together.
No. Querencia's Seven Principles Retreat is a small-group educational weekend. It includes teaching and private exercises, and it is not a substitute for individual assessment or couples counselling.
If you are considering individual counselling, couples counselling, supervision or a specialist program, send us a short email. We can respond with appointment options and help you consider a suitable starting point.
Enquire by emailPlease keep initial emails brief and avoid including detailed personal or clinical information.
Counselling is not a crisis service and enquiries are not continuously monitored. For immediate danger call 000. For urgent mental health support in the ACT, contact Access Mental Health on 1800 629 354.