What if we approached love with the same care, intention, and excellence as the world’s best restaurants approach hospitality? Inspired by Will Guidara’s Unreasonable Hospitality, this reflective piece explores how attention, presence, and generosity can transform relationships from merely functional into something deeply meaningful. For couples who hope their relationship will last a lifetime, this thought piece invites a reimagining of what it means to truly care for one another—beyond “good enough” and into the realm of the unreasonably good.

Male covert depression often goes unnoticed because it doesn’t look like what we typically expect depression to look like. Rather than overt sadness, it can present as irritability, emotional withdrawal, overworking, numbness, or a growing sense of disconnection—both internally and within intimate relationships.

Influenced by cultural expectations around masculinity, many men learn early to suppress vulnerability and prioritise competence over emotional expression. Over time, this disconnection can harden into a quiet but pervasive form of depression that impacts not only the individual, but also their partner and family life.

This work explores the hidden nature of male covert depression, how it shows up in relationships, and why understanding it is essential for healing, emotional intimacy, and long-term relational health.

In the quest for a harmonious relationship, the myth of a conflict-free partnership often prevails. The truth is, conflict is not only inevitable - it can be healthy. In this blog, we debunk the notion that a healthy relationship is free of disagreements and conflict. Rather, we explore how healthy conflict fosters growth, understanding and deeper connection. We also shed light on the signs of unhealthy conflict.

Learning to regulate your nervous system is perhaps one of the most profound acts of self-care you can undertake. It’s the foundation upon which everything else—secure attachment, meaningful relationships, resilience, and well-being—is built.

Learn how to prepare for your first couples therapy session. Guidance on what to expect, how to set goals, and making the most of couples therapy.

Self esteem affects the relationship with have with ourselves, how we feel about ourselves and the world around us and it is intimately connected to the quality of our relationships.

The right couples therapy can transform your relationship…so why do so many of us resist seeking help for our relationships? What if attending couples therapy was as normal and necessary as taking your car to the mechanic? I am on a mission to create a kinder, more tolerant and loving world, one couple at a time - making couples therapy trendier than an oat milk latte.

The experience of Relational Trauma can give rise to any number of adaptive behaviours. Because of our genius when we are young (don’t worry, I still think you’re brilliant) it is natural for us to create adaptations when we experience something that feels overwhelming for us.

Cairns Counselling and couples therapy can support you to develop greater connection, heal past hurt, understand and prevent painful patterns, and increase your relational skills and esteem in your relationship. Contact Biannka Brannigan, Cairns Relationship Counsellor, Educator and Psychotherapist.

Couples Counselling Cairns can support you to develop greater connection, heal past hurt, understand and prevent painful patterns, and increase your relational skills and esteem in your relationship. Contact Biannka Brannigan, Cairns Couples Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Educator.

Relationship Counselling Cairns can support you to develop greater connection, heal past hurt, understand and prevent painful patterns, and increase your relational skills and esteem in your relationship. Contact Biannka Brannigan, Cairns Relationship Counsellor, Educator and Psychotherapist.

Self-esteem, the way we perceive ourselves and our worth, is a complex and ever-evolving aspect of our lives. It plays a significant role in shaping our thoughts, behaviours, and interactions with the world around us.  Self-esteem can be both healthy and unhealthy. Here we focus on the unhealthy patterns of self-esteem and the impact on the relationship we have with ourselves and those closest to us. Contact Biannka, Cairns Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Gestalt Psychotherapy is a holistic, humanistic therapy that believes that people are born with the resources and abilities to lead a rewarding and creative life and to have meaningful and fulfilling relationships with others. Gestalt psychotherapy has been applied to a wide range of therapeutic settings, including individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, organizational development, community development and family therapy. Gestalt Psychotherapy is dynamic, powerful and life changing. Book your appointment with Biannka, psychotherapist and councillor in Cairns, Kuranda, Queensland, Australia.

The importance of self-worth and self-esteem in our lives extends far beyond individual well-being. These two pillars influence the quality of our relationships, guiding us towards forming meaningful connections with others. When we embrace our inherent worthiness, we set healthier boundaries, fostering connections built on authenticity and mutual respect. Our self-esteem empowers us to recognize and celebrate our strengths and of those around us, cultivating a sense of unity and support in our shared human experience.

In the world of modern relationships, the journey of finding a suitable partner can often be daunting and overwhelming. Many of us enter relationships with the desire to present our best selves, fearing that revealing our vulnerabilities and imperfections might scare potential partners away. Leading with, “I have a tendency to be really lazy and I hate washing up” has probably never been top of mind when meeting someone new… However, philosopher Alain de Botton urges us to take a different approach. He encourages us to embrace our true selves, including the crazy parts, and share these aspects with our potential partners.

In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, the value of relationships has never been more apparent. We all long for meaningful connections with our partners, friends, family, and children. However, in a culture that often prioritizes individualism and self-centeredness, many of us lack the necessary skills to truly nurture and develop these relationships. As a therapist, I have dedicated myself to bridging this gap and empowering my clients with the tools they need to build strong and intimate connections. I

Relationships can be both fulfilling and challenging, and it’s not uncommon to experience periods of where things feel difficult. Understanding the different phases of love can provide insight into why your relationship might be going through a tough time.

Individual and couples therapy can have a profound affect on how you live your life leading to greater self-awareness, understanding and a kinder relationship with yourself and others.

Practising self compassion will support you to create more self worth, confidence, develop fulfilling relationships, spontaneity, and joy in your life.

Finding a good therapist is as important as finding a good doctor or accountant. Not all of us are created equally so I have put together some tips for you to consider.

You deserve to sit with someone who listens, who is impacted by your story and who allows you to feel empowered about your life once again! You also want to start feeling like the therapy is supporting you and you are starting to develop greater insight in to the way you do your life.