David Manks is a registered psychologist in private practice, offering in-person and telehealth appointments

Professional Psychology Services

If you are feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or struggling to manage the pressures of your relationship, professional support can help you regain perspective and stability. I provide relationship therapy, individual counselling and psychotherapy, psychological assessment, and clinical supervision.

Find the right support

I work with adult individuals and couples. If support is needed for children or adolescents, I can provide referrals to practitioners who specialise in working with young people.

Couples and relationship counselling

Relationships can become strained over time, especially under stress, unresolved hurt, infidelity or indiscretions, life transitions, or patterns that gradually take hold. I work with couples to understand what is happening between them and why they may feel stuck in conflict, emotional distance, or uncertainty about the future. I provide couples counselling in Geelong and surrounding regions, with online sessions available for those in Melbourne and other locations where distance or schedules make in-person sessions difficult.
Book relationship counselling

Separation counselling and divorce

Some couples seek separation counselling as they decide whether to separate, while others need guidance in navigating the emotional and practical realities that follow. Separation and divorce counselling can help clarify decisions, reduce conflict and improve communication, while supporting grief and loss, adjustment to new roles and routines, and respectful co-parenting conversations. I continue working with individuals or couples post-divorce to support clearer decision-making, reduce harm and maintain dignity during a difficult transition.

Intimacy and sexual connection

Stress, conflict, emotional distance, or unresolved hurt often affect closeness and sexual connection. Many couples question what intimacy means for them, whether sex still matters, or how to restore warmth and connection. Couples therapy explores intimacy difficulties, rebuilds emotional safety, and helps each of you understand how trust, vulnerability, and communication influence healthy sexuality. As partners feel more understood and secure, emotional and physical closeness can gradually return.

Relationship enrichment and pre-marriage counselling

Couples do not need to be in crisis to benefit from counselling. Seeking support to strengthen communication, deepen understanding, or prepare for long-term commitment can help protect the health of your relationship. Pre-marriage counselling offers a structured way to explore expectations, values, and potential pressure points, helping couples build a stronger foundation for the future.

Individual counselling and psychotherapy

Individual counselling and psychotherapy support adults living with emotional distress, ongoing psychological difficulties, or life experiences that have become difficult to carry alone. This may include persistent anxiety, low mood, despair, anger, restlessness, or a sense of hopelessness. For some, these experiences are accompanied by changes in daily functioning, such as difficulty relaxing, reduced motivation, disrupted sleep, withdrawal from others, or difficulty managing work and everyday responsibilities.

I work with adults experiencing chronic anxiety and depression, the effects of trauma and distressing life experiences, including childhood trauma, the impact of domestic abuse and violence, sleep disturbances, grief and complex bereavement, anger that feels difficult to manage, and emotional challenges associated with chronic or life-limiting illness. I also work with personality patterns that affect relationships and emotional wellbeing.
“Professional psychology is about understanding what sits beneath the surface while finding practical ways to manage day-to-day life. When you understand your triggers, patterns and behaviours more clearly, you can grow and move forward.”
— David Manks, Psychologist, Geelong, VIC

Psychological assessment

Psychological assessment can help clarify what an individual or a couple is experiencing and guide a thoughtful therapy plan. It may be used to better understand mood difficulties such as depression and anxiety, trauma responses, sleep disturbances, and relationship patterns, including attachment styles and relational dynamics.

Assessment involves clinical interview, recognised diagnostic guidelines, and structured questionnaires or psychometric measures. This process provides an evidence-informed understanding of contributing factors and helps identify appropriate directions for therapy.
I do not provide assessments for ADHD, autism spectrum conditions, neurodevelopmental disorders, or neuropsychological functioning, including cognitive changes following head injury. Where these assessments are required, I can arrange a referral to an appropriate specialist.

Clinical supervision

Reflective supervision is available for psychologists, counsellors, clergy, chaplains, and other helping professionals seeking to examine and strengthen their professional practice. Supervision focuses on actual clinical work and the relational dynamics involved in working with clients.

This reflection model considers both the practitioner’s internal experience, including thoughts, feelings, values, and responses, and the interpersonal processes within the therapeutic relationship. Attention to these dimensions supports clearer professional judgement and effective, ethical practice. Supervision supports reflective capacity, strengthens clinical confidence, and sustains professional growth in work that is often complex and emotionally demanding.
Book a supervision session

Appointments and fees

Appointments are available in-person in Geelong and via telehealth. Relationship counselling is available for couples across Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast and Melbourne, with telehealth offering flexibility when travel is difficult.

Most clients receive Medicare rebates with a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Private health rebates may also apply. This practice does not bulk bill.
Talk to David and Carol about your needs
Monday Closed
Tuesday 8am–6:30pm
Wednesday 8am–6:30pm
Thursday Closed
Friday 8am–5pm
Saturday 9am–12pm
Sunday Closed

Find Us —

9 Coronado Court, Highton
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