Break the cycle of repeated arguments, improve your communication and strengthen your relationship so you can enjoy a more harmonious, stable and intimate connection.

Are repeated arguments and misunderstandings damaging your relationship with your partner?

Does it feel like you are treading on eggshells when bringing up issues with your partner because they often get defensive, hurt or minimise what you're saying?

Are you tired of all the instability and disconnection? 

Do you get the sense that something needs to shift so you can STOP drifting further apart and come back to feeling the togetherness of feeling like you're a team again?

Is this you?

⊚ You miss the connection, the laughter, and the ease of being together without the fear of the next fallout.

⊚ You want to feel safe to have disagreements and be true to yourself without fearing disconnection and abandonment.

⊚ You’ve been trying to work through this rough patch and there have been moments when it feels like things are better but then something happens and you’re back in it again.

⊚ You are committed to doing everything you can to make this relationship work because it is precious to you. 

⊚ Maybe it’s already too far gone or maybe you’re not compatible. 

⊚ But at the very least you want to be able to look each other in the eye knowing you both did all you could and that includes getting external support.

If you're not in a make or break situation but want to get support to strengthen the foundation of your communication and relationship that's beautiful.

I also work with couples that know they are breaking up but want to make a loving transition and be able to take care of their communication, especially when kids are involved.

I have been supporting people to improve communication, transform conflict and strengthen their relationships for over 10 years. 


I would like to share with you the key insights that form the basis of my approach so you can see if this rings true for you and get a sense of what working with me would look like.

All relationships will have their challenges. When couples are faced with these challenges they will either...

No relationship will stay healthy and survive too much crash and burn or drift apart communication.

The most important factor for sustaining a healthy, enduring relationship is…

…knowing you can discuss challenges in your relationship in a way that leaves you both feeling understood, connected and clear how to move forward together.

Most couples are made up of two partners with very different communication styles

One partner often brings up the issues and have a more emotional “hot” communication
(Anxious Attachment)

Whilst the other has a more rational “cool” reserved communication? 
(Avoidant Attachment)

Below the surface of most couples arguments is this reoccurring communication breakdown

⊚ “Hot Communicator” 

 Brings up an issue and express some form of insatisfaction or desire for something to be different 

⊚ “Cool Communicator” 

Get defensive, to them it feels like an attack and wonder why there always seems to be a “problem”

⊚ “Hot Communicator” 

Feels frustrated that they can't just try and understand and show they care. They respond from the rising intensity of emotions they experience

⊚ “Cool Communicator” 

Feels cornered and either wait for the “storm” to pass, walks out or minimises what's being said in an attempt to get out of the conversation

⊚ When the conversation ends… 

You both feel misunderstood and disconnected. The tension and distance that follows these episodes is painful and drains your energy.

Does this sound familiar?

Why is it difficult to break free from this dynamic?

We all carry unresolved emotional baggage and traumas that come from difficult past experiences…

In these arguments something triggers this emotional wound, and those old, intense feelings rush back in.

This intensity makes it extremely difficult to avoid the usual patterns of counterproductive and unhelpful reactions.

From there on you're fighting a downward spiral you know all too well.

You may have tried to break the cycle of repeating arguments already and although there have been moments when it feels like things are getting better, something happens and you’re back in it again.

How to overcome this?

If the past is showing up in the present in this way then it's not tools, workshops, rational understanding or trying harder that is going to break these destructive argument loops.

What makes genuine, long-lasting change possible is a therapeutic process that enables you both to become aware and release the emotional weight of the past so it stops colouring your communication and relationship.

Imagine how much easier it would be to have those conversations if the internal charge you experienced was lighter.

Imagine if you could both understand the deeper vulnerability behind that “annoying behaviour” of your partner. 

Imagine if this deeper mutual understanding, clarity and compassion helped you to discover how you can better navigate and support each other.

My Couples Coaching Process

Before working with new clients I organise a free discovery call to get a sense of what is happening in your life that makes you want to start a therapeutic process, what you hope to get out of it and share more about my approach so we can see if we are a good fit.

If we go ahead and work together we will have 90min weekly sessions, online or in-person (in Lisbon). Sometimes I also arrange individual sessions with each partner as part of the process.

I operate a sliding scale of rates where my ideal rate for the 90min session is €210 and my minimum rate is €160. Clients choose what they want to contribute within this bracket.

The approach I use is based on 20 years of dedication to my own personal development and my
practice of Compassionate Inquiry, Nonviolent Communication,
Internal Family Systems, and Attachment Theory.

Free Discovery Call

Book a free discovery call with me to share a bit about your current situation, what you hope to achieve, ask questions and see if we feel like we are a good match to work together.

What my clients are saying…

This sounds good but it's not going to work for us

⊚ My partner is reluctant to do this together 

I created this free resource to support people to communicate with their partner about their desire to get external support (regardless of the outcome this tool will help you to reflect and take a stance).

I also offer a free discovery call, which is a great opportunity to invite partners to voice their concerns.

⊚ What if it’s already too far gone or we're just not compatible

There are no guarantees but don't you want to be able to look each other in the eye and have the peace of knowing you both did everything you could and that includes getting support.

⊚ At the moment we are just too busy and or exhausted

We live in a busy society AND it's sad when couples prioritise and give their energy to everything else except getting support to improve their relationship. Often it's the stuckness in the relationship that is so draining and when we can address that there is more energy.

Common questions I get from couples…

  • This is not just talk therapy, in the individual sessions we focus on body somatics and Compassionate Inquiry to transform deeper underlying patterns and traumas. We'll also focus on practical skills for improved communication and conflict resolution.

  • In the individual sessions I'll help you to get clear about what you want to express and in the joint sessions I will help that to be understood. When there are misunderstandings I will interrupt and help you to both hear and understand each other on a deeper level

  • I totally understand. This is also why I work with you both individually first, so you can build trust and connection with me, but also so we address and take care of these anxieties.

    It is a challenging and uncomfortable journey but then is it sustainable to stay in this place or better to shift what's making it exhausting?

  • Separating can be a highly traumatic process that has a long term impact on our well being. I have supported couples to make this a compassionate and connected transition that is kinder and honours the preciousness of the relationship.

  • I'm not impartial. I'm partial to you both - anything less and I become part of the problem - I know this and it guides all my work. Im on both your sides

  • The individual sessions make it easier for people to be fully sincere before we come together, helping ensure open communication.

KIC COATES

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