What happens on the free 15-minute call?

Kriss calls you. You talk about what's been happening, he answers any questions, and between you you work out whether it makes sense to book a session. It costs nothing and there is no obligation to book afterwards.

Is online as good as in person?

For relationship work, generally yes — and for couples it's often more practical, because you don't have to get two people to the same place at the same time. Some couples attend from two different locations entirely. In-person sessions are available at Paddington if you'd rather be in the room.

How many sessions will we need?

There's no set number, and anyone who gives you one before meeting you is guessing. Some couples come for a focused handful of sessions around a specific issue; others work for longer. It's reviewed as you go and you can stop whenever you choose.

What if couples therapy isn't the right thing for us?

Sometimes it isn't. Where there's fear, control, or safety concerns in a relationship, joint counselling is generally not the right setting and can make things harder — individual support is safer. And sometimes a couple arrives having already decided, and the useful work is separating well rather than repairing. Kriss will say so if that's what he's seeing, which is part of what the free call establishes.

Misty green hills and a quiet valley at sunrise

Brisbane · In person or online Australia-wide

Reconnect with those that matter most.Couples and relationship therapy, Brisbane

Therapy with Kriss Balodis, a Gottman-trained therapist with 18 years' experience, in Paddington or over Zoom.

Free 15-minute call first
Gottman-trained · 18 years' experience
In person or online

Kriss Balodis, counsellor, The Lumin Clinic, Paddington Brisbane — Kriss Balodis · Counsellor · Gottman-trained · AASW & AAFT member

Free 15-minute call first
Gottman-trained · 18 years' experience
In person or online

Free 15-minute call before you book
Gottman Method trained
18 years' experience
Paddington or online Australia-wide

Does this sound familiar?

You've had this conversation before

These are the things people often start a session with. Do any of them resonate with you?

We bring our past trauma into this relationship.

It's the same fight, just a different week.

I've stopped saying things because it isn't worth it.

After the affair, I'm unsure if we can even repair.

I don't know when we stopped laughing together.

It's like we are speaking different languages. Being on the spectrum makes it tough.

What to expect

Nobody is there to decide who's right

Whether you come in-clinic or join over Zoom, the structure is the same: a guided, three-person conversation focused on the changes you want to work towards in your relationship. Here's what that actually looks like:

01
Set goals together
What would “better” look like for each of you? Less fighting? Feeling close again? Clarity about a big decision?
02
Map the pattern
We pinpoint the loops you often get stuck in — the triggers, their meaning and how things go sideways.
03
Find the drivers
We connect today's reactions to past experiences — the unspoken rules and habits that get in your way.
04
Practise new paths
We raise hard topics with support in the room, and practise listening and repairing.

Book My Free 15-Min Call → Call 0457 675 611

"My focus is to help you feel safe enough to say the thing you've been avoiding."
— Kriss Balodis

About The Lumin Clinic

The Lumin Clinic is a relationship counselling practice in Paddington, Brisbane, for individuals and couples. It was founded by counsellor Kriss Balodis, who has more than 18 years' experience, holds a Master's degree and is Gottman-trained.

The clinic's approach draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, CBT and mindfulness, and it is deliberately non-judgmental — in couples work, nobody is there to decide who is right. Sessions run in person at Paddington or over Zoom anywhere in Australia, so you can choose whatever suits your week.

18+ years: Practice experience
Gottman: Certified method practitioner
AASW & AAFT: Professional memberships

Tree-lined heritage street in Paddington, Brisbane, near the Given Terrace consulting rooms

Credentials

Professional associations and contributions

Kriss has spoken on ABC Radio, is trained in the Gottman Method, and is a member of the Australian Association of Family Therapy and the Australian Association of Social Workers. He is also a verified professional on Psychology Today.

Featured on ABC RadioContributed to a discussion on long-distance relationships (2025)
Gottman trainedTrained in tools for couples in high-conflict cycles
Member of the AAFTAustralian Association of Family Therapy
Member of the AASWAustralian Association of Social Workers
Verified professionalListed on Psychology Today

Sessions and fees

What it costs and how it works

Start here

Free 15-minute call

A short conversation with Kriss about what's been going on and whether working together makes sense. No cost, and no obligation to book a session afterwards. This is where almost everyone starts.

Free

Book a Free 15-Min Call

Individual sessions

For one person working on a relationship — whether that relationship is a partner, a parent, a sibling or yourself. In person at Paddington or over Zoom.

Couples sessions

Both partners in the room, in person or both on Zoom from wherever each of you is. Longer than an individual session, because two people need the time.

Paddington, Brisbane — or anywhere in Australia online

The consulting room is at the Boulevard Serviced Offices on Given Terrace in Paddington, a few minutes from the CBD with parking nearby. Online sessions run over Zoom and are available anywhere in Australia — a lot of couples choose online simply because coordinating two schedules into one room is the hardest part of starting.

Inner west Brisbane — Paddington, Milton, Red Hill, Bardon, Auchenflower
Brisbane CBD, New Farm, Teneriffe and the inner north
Greater Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast
Anywhere in Australia, online

Book a Free 15-Min Call

0457 675 611 therapy@luminclinic.com

Unit 69, Boulevard Serviced Offices, 283 Given Terrace, Paddington QLD 4064

Questions people ask first

Yes, and it's extremely common — a lot of people book without having raised it at home yet. Working on how you respond inside a pattern can be a useful place to start, because it takes two people to keep a loop running. Plenty of couples work starts as individual sessions and becomes joint later. Some never does, and that's a legitimate outcome too.

Fifteen minutes, free, and no obligation to book anything

Couples and individual relationship therapy in Paddington, Brisbane, or over Zoom anywhere in Australia. With Kriss Balodis — Gottman-trained counsellor, 18 years' experience, AASW and AAFT member.