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Home » Recent posts » Finding Hope: Our Top 5 Picks for the Best Marriage Counselling in Auckland

Finding Hope: Our Top 5 Picks for the Best Marriage Counselling in Auckland

marriage-counselling-in-auckland
We extensively test and research all services we review. Here's why you can trust us.

Qualifications and Experience: We looked for counsellors who are registered and have proven experience. It's important to know you're in the hands of a true professional.

Therapeutic Approach: Every couple is different. We favoured services that offer proven, evidence-based methods like EFT, Gottman, or practical, tool-based approaches.

Real Client Feedback: We dug into what actual couples were saying. A good counsellor creates a safe, non-judgmental space where both partners feel heard.

Accessibility and Flexibility: Life is busy. We gave points to clinics offering online sessions and flexible hours, making it easier for you to actually get the help you need.

Finding the right person to help with your relationship is tough. When you’re struggling, everything feels heavy. 

You just want a safe space to talk, be open, be heard, and find a way forward. It might be about rebuilding, or just figuring out how to part ways kindly, but the right counsellor makes all the difference. 

We’ve looked all over Auckland to find the best marriage counselling services that offer professional, non-judgmental support. 

Here are our top 5 picks to help you start the conversation.

How much does marriage counselling cost in Auckland?

Talking about money is almost as tough as talking about feelings, right? The cost of marriage counselling in Auckland varies, but you can get a good idea of what to expect.

For a standard 60-minute session, expect to pay NZ$200-300. Some counsellors who are in high demand or have specialised psychological training might charge more.

Many clinics prefer longer sessions for couples (around 90 minutes) to give you time to get into things. Expect to pay anywhere from $190 to over $375, depending on the therapist.On the other end, some services may offer a sliding scale based on your income, with 50-minute sessions costing $80 to $120.

Think of it as an investment for a happier, healthier future with your spouse. Most clinics are clear about their fees upfront, so don’t be afraid to ask when you call.

1. Relationship Rescue

relationship-rescue

Website: https://www.relationshiprescue.co.nz/ 

Address: East Med Centre 188 Saint Heliers Bay Road, St Heliers, Auckland

Contact: 210 256 7201

Schedule: Mon-Fri 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Sat 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Sun 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Relationship Rescue really stands out with its practical, habit-based philosophy. 

Their whole thing is that relationships fail because of bad habits, so they give you simple, easy-to-use tools to build good ones. 

The approach prioritises practical, evidence-based solutions that you can apply immediately, rather than focusing on endless talking. 

They even have special intensive sessions for couples in crisis and a “Relationship WOF” for a quick check-up. Their goal is “win-win,” which I found really reassuring. 

It means they’ll help you either fix things or separate amicably.

The main catch is that their prices vary by counsellor, and those popular evening and weekend spots get snapped up fast, so you need to book ahead.

Pros

  • Practical, tool-based “habit” methodology
  • Specialised intensive sessions (“Relationship Rescue”)
  • “Win-win” goal (fix or separate amicably)
  • Online sessions available via Skype/Facetime

Cons

  • Pricing varies depending on the counsellor
  • After-hours & weekend slots are limited

Customer Reviews

Janine is very professional, honest and trustworthy. Her vast experience helped facilitate some very difficult conversations. I would recommend Janine to anyone seeking support in a relationship or as an individual.

Alanna is extremely knowledgeable. She quickly identified our issues in an empathic non judgemental way. She helped us both make sense of everything and gave us a clear practical plan moving forward. Best of all she worked fast, getting us to where we wanted to be faster than either of us expected. My partner especially liked this as he wasn’t looking forward to months of heavy “therapy”. He found the explanations helped him relax and feel confident we could have the happy, connected, fun relationship we both wanted. Alanna gives great, none time consuming, fun tasks to keep things on track as we were worried we’d slide back into old habits like we did when after we went to another therapist. Can’t recommend her more, especially if your partner hates the idea of “therapy” as it’s more like coaching or like a kind of professional development as we both use the things she taught us at work as well.

2. Bridge the Gap Counselling and Coaching

bridge-the-gap-counselling-and-coaching

Website: https://www.bridgethegap.co.nz /

Address: 677a Swanson Road, Swanson, Auckland

Contact: 21 595 759 and [email protected]

Schedule: Mon-Sat 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

The team at Bridge the Gap just feels really solid and experienced. 

Their lead counsellor has a Master’s in Psychology and thousands of hours of experience. 

They don’t use a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, they draw from methods like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Narrative Therapy to personalise the approach for you. 

A really unique thing they offer is Creative Therapy, using drawing to help express things words can’t reach. You can even try the first session for free, which is an amazing offer. 

They really believe the client is the “biggest expert on their own life,” so it feels like a genuine collaboration from the start. 

As this is a private service, it may not be covered by public funding, so you will need to plan your budget accordingly.

Pros

  • Highly experienced team (Master’s in Psychology, 5000+ hours)
  • Free, no-obligation trial for Creative Therapy
  • Personalised, blended approach (CBT, Narrative)
  • Client-empowering philosophy

Cons

  • Operates as a private service (may not be accessible through public funding)
  • Limited weekend hours (Saturdays until 1 PM only)

Customer Reviews

We went for couple counselling with Aaron. With his active listening, unbiased guidance and practical tools, he created a safe space where we were able to communicate openly, rebuild trust and strengthen our bond. Aaron is not only a counsellor but a therapist and compassionate mediator who supports growth, healing and deeper understanding between two people. We are walking forward stronger, more aware, and more united- all thanks to Aaron & his thoughtful approach. Thank you Aaron for being a steady light during a time where we needed it most.

I had couples counselling with Aaron – I found his capacity to listen, empathise and share insight into each other’s perspectives incredibly valuable. We unpacked our troubles and found solutions we didn’t know were possible. I can certainly say I’ve grown so much. I currently recommend all my people to use his services. Thank you for all that you have done for us Aaron 🙂

3. SoulCheck Holistic Therapy

soulcheck-holistic-therapy

Website: https://www.soulcheck.co.nz/ 

Address: 416 Lake Road, Takapuna, Auckland

Contact: 224 278 983 and [email protected]

Schedule: Mon-Tues & Thurs 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Wed 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sat 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

SoulCheck is all about the holistic approach. They believe you can’t just fix the communication. You have to look at the whole picture with mind, body, and spirit. 

For couples, their rounded plan integrates popular methods like the Gottman approach and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). 

This isn’t just a place you visit once a week. They give you tools, homework, and strategies to use in your daily life. 

This focus on practical application helps make the changes stick. They also offer a bunch of other wellness services, like men’s health and meditation. 

Just be mindful of their strict 24-hour cancellation policy, as you’ll be charged the full fee if you miss it.

Pros

  • Holistic approach (mind, body, spirit)
  • Blends proven methods (EFT, Gottman)
  • Provides tools & homework for between sessions
  • Online counselling available nationally/internationally

Cons

  • Strict 24-hour cancellation policy (full fee charged)

Customer Reviews

Hello, I found Tersia to be very helpful and non judgmental. My husband had a block of sessions with her and I participated in a couple of sessions.

My husband and I have been working with Tersia over the last few months, and it’s been a game-changer for us. Running a business together as a couple isn’t always easy, but Tersia helped us figure things out. She gave us great advice that really worked, made us feel more confident in what we’re doing and broke through many communication barriers. Thanks to her, we’ve seen our business grow, and we’re working better as a team. If you need someone who gets what it’s like to run a business with your partner and can give you practical help, then she is the one to go to!

4. Embrace Couples Counselling

embrace-couples-counselling

Website: https://www.embracecounselling.co.nz/ 

Address: 24 Belvedere Court, West Harbour, Massey, Auckland

Contact: 27 447 4713 and [email protected]

Schedule: By appointment only

Embrace Counselling is run by Paul Moloney, a registered psychotherapist who is trained in all the big-name methods: Gottman, Imago, and EFT. 

What’s different here is that the standard couples sessions are 90 minutes long. This makes a significant difference. 

I’ve been in 60-minute sessions elsewhere where you just start to get into the real issue, and then time’s up. That extra 30 minutes gives you the space to actually work through things. 

He intentionally keeps his client list small so he can focus more on each couple. This “select service” model feels more personal, and his rates are surprisingly reasonable for his level of expertise. 

The only thing is that sessions after 5 pm cost a bit more, which is something to consider if you’re on a tight budget.

Pros

  • Standard sessions are 90 minutes long
  • Specialist in Gottman, Imago, and EFT
  • “Select service” model (limits clients for more focus)
  • States costs are lower than other similar providers

Cons

  • Appointments after 5 pm cost a higher fee
  • 24-hour cancellation policy

Customer Reviews

Embrace Counselling helped us a lot. Thank you Paul; We would love to refer other people to you. Chris Technialliance

My wife and I had been together for 21 years, married for 18. It hasn’t been easy. There have been many bumps along the road. Last year things got so bad that I booked a session with Paul. It only took one session and it was like a massive weight lifted off our shoulders. By having a neutral mediator we were both able to talk about emotions and expectations that we never were able to discuss before. I really wish that we had done it sooner. Now it is much clearer where the boundaries are and it’s easier to accept. I strongly urge all couples to seek counselling help AT THE START of their relationship, rather than the end! Thanks to you, Paul.

5. Holistic Wellbeing Counselling

holistic-wellbeing-counselling

Website: https://holisticwellbeingcounselling.co.nz/ 

Address: Therapy Space, 411 Great South Road, Ellerslie, Auckland

Contact: 210 828 6482 and [email protected]

Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Sat (By Appointment)

Holistic Wellbeing Counselling has a truly unique foundation. 

The counsellor, Dr Marjan, has a PhD in Molecular Biology and a background in trauma research. This scientific understanding, especially of trauma, informs her counselling. 

She’s also fluent in Farsi and, as a migrant herself, she’s a specialist in cross-cultural and migrant-specific issues, which is a huge asset for many in Auckland. 

In her approach, Western psychology (like CBT) works alongside Eastern practices (like mindfulness). 

A big plus is that she’s registered with the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) for sensitive claims and works with Work and Income clients. 

Be aware that her cancellation policy is a bit stricter than most, requiring 48 hours’ notice to avoid a partial fee.

Pros

  • ACC registered (sensitive claims) & WINZ provider
  • Specialises in cross-cultural & migrant issues (Farsi-speaking)
  • Unique scientific background (PhD Molecular Biology)
  • Combines Western (CBT) and Eastern (mindfulness) methods

Cons

  • Strict 48-hour cancellation policy (50%-100% fee)

Customer Reviews

Marjan has been helping me through my most difficult times in newzealand. I was going through self doubt , low self esteem and adjustment fears after a 6 year long distance relationship .I never thought marriages are supposed to be hard ..but I went through strange circumstances holding me back in trauma and anxiety. What I understood in sessions with Marjan that I have to think about myself first bringing myself into conscious world again breaking the unconscious cycle of trauma of 6 years.not only she made me learn coping strategies but also equipped me with self control .I hope and believe I can carry this for the rest of my life no matter what comes on my way. Thankyou Marjan for helping me at very important stage of my life.STAY BLESSED ALWAYS

Very supportive and friendly services. Best services for ever. My life and way of thinking just radically improved. She just saved my life and family. Many greatful to you Marjan.