We naturally think that conflict in any circumstance is bad and should be avoided at all costs. Conflict is associated with negative emotions, hurt feelings, long-term damage to our relationships and is just generally unpleasant! Very few people look forward to confronting a loved one or friend about their behaviour or values.But actually, conflict plays …
Step into the ring – why conflict is necessary in relationships Read More »
Metaphors are a profound way of explaining complex phenomena. Metanao’s logo is one such metaphor, using a known image to explain the concept of growth in your relationship.When starting off in a new relationship, your relationship can be thought of as a bud. A young plant needs sun, rain and good soil to grow. It …
Every Saturday morning, my youngest (but still grown) daughter, her partner and their two loveable (but still smelly!) dogs drive down to our place on the Gold Coast to walk the dogs along the beach.For about 45 minutes, we wander along the sand and catch up on the week just passed. We rehash the challenges …
Some couples seem to be constantly keeping score – every encounter is a battle with a winner and a loser. Others seem to find solutions that mean they both win.In game theory, a zero-sum game is one in which the total score is zero. In a game of poker, for example, any money won by …
It is, unfortunately, so common that we feel the need to vent our negative emotions about our partners to our friends, extended family or co-workers. We may bring our frustration and sense of injustice with our personal lives into our workplace or to our girls (or lads) night out. We tend to assume, usually quite …
Breaking the cycle of negativity (with a case study) Read More »
One of the most common problems that couples coming to counselling have is that they don’t feel that their partners support or encourage them. Feeling like you’re not being heard or understood can add frustration and dissatisfaction with your relationship on top of whatever issue you were seeking support for in the first place.Frequently, when …
Getting married is an exciting time. When you’re caught up in the excitement of planning a wedding, it can be difficult to remember to make sure that, not only are you ready for marriage, but that your relationship is also ready.Most articles like this focus on a list of specific issues for discussion that tend …
The conversation you must have before you get married Read More »
Committing to counselling is a big decision. It’s important to make sure that you’re getting the value for your time (and money!). Seeing a counsellor whose approach and strategies don’t work for you can be discouraging and stressful, and can leave you feeling drained and more hopeless than ever. But, with so many different types …
Solution-focused therapy: What is it and is it for me? Read More »
Welcome to our blog! We wanted to kick off by introducing Metanao: who we are, what we’re about and how we can help you.Metanao is a family business owned by Sue and run with the help of her daughters, Alexandra and Cassie and son-in-law Peter. It is a testament to Sue’s knowledge and skills in …