Guiding Light Center

GUIDING LIGHT CENTER

Find lasting and transformative changes in self and all your relationships

Relationship courses for you!

Couples Craft -
Foundations course

Welcome to the Couples Craft – Foundations Course!

Are you ready to build a strong foundation for your relationship? Whether you’re a couple looking to enhance your bond or an individual seeking to improve your relationship skills, this course is designed for you. Our foundational course provides essential tools and techniques to help all relationships thrive.

7 Week Intimacy and Oneness Challenge

Embark on a Transformation Journey with Our 7 Week Intimacy and Oneness Challenge!

Are you ready to deepen your connection and achieve a sense of oneness in your relationship? Our 7 Week Intimacy and Oneness Challenge is designed to guide couples through a transformative journey, enhancing emotional, physical, and spiritual intimacy.

Alchemy of Love - Intensive 2 Day Retreat

For the Individuals scared through emotional and mental trauma and childhood wounds.

Welcome to the Alchemy of Love – Intensive 2 Day Retreat! Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey with your partner? Our Alchemy of Love retreat is designed to provide couples with deep inner healing and equip them with a lifetime of skills and practices to strengthen their relationship

Valerie Monteiro

Founder, Clinical Director and
Relationship and Trauma Therapist.

Founder Principal Therapist

Valerie Monteiro is a well renowned and sought after Relationship Coach, Naturopath, and Trauma Specialist renowned for her transformative sessions and programs. With a career spanning various realms, Valerie has emerged as a beacon of expertise in the fields of mental health, addiction recovery, relationship counselling, and trauma therapy.

Valerie’s journey began with a deep dive into self-healing from various illness and studied Naturopathy which expanded into ayurvedic studies, spiritual exploration and going into in-depth knowledge and understand of Christianity, Buddhism, yoga and ayurvedic studies. After her victory over the Big C in 1994, she dedicated herself to holistic well-being led to the creation of the widely acclaimed 21-day Better Living Program, embraced throughout India. Building on this foundation, she pursued a Master’s in Psychotherapy and Counselling, bringing her invaluable skills to Australia.

Courses

0 +

Team Members

0 +

Services

0 +

Country

Educational Resources For
Informed Decisions

Marriage Counseling Questions

Get answers to your marriage counseling questions.

Does marriage counseling work?

Yes, marriage counseling can be highly effective when both partners are committed to the process. It helps improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships.

When is it time to get couples therapy?

Consider couples therapy when communication breaks down, trust is damaged, conflicts become frequent, or emotional distance grows. Seeking help early can prevent further issues.

Can you use insurance for marriage counseling?

It depends on your insurance provider. Some plans cover therapy if it’s related to mental health conditions, while others may not include relationship counseling. Check with your provider for details.

Is long-distance couples therapy a thing?

Yes, many therapists offer virtual couples therapy through video sessions, making it accessible for long-distance partners to work on their relationship.

Premarital Counseling Questions

Here you go: answers to your premarital counseling questions.

Is premarital Counselling necessary?

While not mandatory, premarital counseling helps couples strengthen communication, set expectations, and build a solid foundation for marriage.

How long does it take?

The duration varies but typically lasts between 4 to 8 sessions, depending on the couple’s needs and the counselor’s approach.

How much does it cost?

Costs vary based on location and therapist, ranging from $100 to $250 per session. Some religious or community organizations offer free or low-cost options.

Can we get a certificate?

For our programs, which we offer, you can get a certificate for Couples Craft and the Alchemy of Love course.

What do you talk about in there, anyway?

Topics include communication, conflict resolution, finances, family planning, intimacy, and aligning future goals to ensure a strong partnership.

Dating Coaching Questions

Here you go: answers to your premarital counseling questions.

Is premarital counseling necessary?

While not mandatory, premarital counseling helps couples strengthen communication, set expectations, and build a solid foundation for marriage.

How long does it take?

The duration varies but typically lasts between 4 to 8 sessions, depending on the couple’s needs and the counselor’s approach.

Can we get a certificate?

For our programs, which we offer, you can get a certificate for Couples Craft and the Alchemy of Love course.

What do you talk about in there, anyway?

Topics include communication, conflict resolution, finances, family planning, intimacy, and aligning future goals to ensure a strong partnership.

Therapy Questions

All your therapy questions, answered.

Do I need therapy?

If you’re struggling with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, or emotional challenges that affect daily life, therapy can provide valuable support and guidance.

What kind of therapist do I need?

It depends on your needs. Marriage and family therapists focus on relationships, psychologists and counselors address mental health concerns, and specialized therapists handle trauma, addiction, or stress management.

Does insurance cover therapy?

Many insurance plans cover therapy, especially for mental health conditions. Check with your provider to confirm coverage and any copays.

How do I find a good therapist?

Look for licensed professionals with experience in your area of concern. Online directories, referrals, and reviews can help you find a therapist who fits your needs and approach.

Evidence-Based Approaches

Good therapy or coaching can be transformational. But not all types of therapy and coaching are effective. Learn which approaches to coaching, therapy, and couples counseling are evidence-based, and which to avoid.

Dating Coaching Questions

All is revealed in dating coaching questions.

What is a dating coach?

A dating coach is a professional who helps individuals improve their dating skills, confidence, and relationship success.

What do they do?

They offer personalized advice, communication strategies, confidence-building techniques, and guidance on dating etiquette to help clients attract and maintain meaningful relationships.

Is dating coaching worth it?

Yes, if you’re struggling with dating, lack confidence, or want expert guidance, a dating coach can provide valuable insights and strategies to improve your love life.

What can a dating coach teach me about finding love?

They can help you understand attraction, improve communication, build self-confidence, recognize red flags, and develop a mindset for healthy, lasting relationships.

For Therapists

If you’re a caring and effective therapist looking for opportunities to learn and grow in a supportive group private practice, here’s information about our private practice therapist opportunities.

Get Started

We’re easy. Schedule a free consultation session with the expert of your choice to discuss your hopes and goals, and make sure it’s a good fit, before moving forward. Start here.

See Why People Love Us

“This course gave us the tools we needed to communicate better and resolve conflicts. Highly recommended!” – Alex and JamieJoin us today and start building a stronger, healthier relationship!

Thank you so much Valerie for your warmth and wisdom. We instantly felt comfortable and open from the moment we arrived. We came to the course at a crisis point in our relationship of 24 years and it was amazing to spend a the 7 weeks discovering where we had been going wrong and the amazing potential we have to start a new chapter with the toolkit you provided. We learnt a lot about ourselves individually and as a couple and took the time to appreciate and be grateful for all the positives we have in our relationship that will hopefully help us in our journey. Your generosity, gentle natures and openness are priceless.

After attending “Alchemy of Love” we have even more respect and adoration for each other. Valerie managed to provide a safe and open environment where everyone is able to explore whatever comes up for them. I have never felt so safe to express how I feel or ask any question with no judgment. Everyone is there for different reasons and the work allows for this, but the underlying goal is to come back to being and feeling safe and loved to be your true self. I always walk away with a more expansive and open view of the world and a new perspective. Thank you.

It can be difficult to navigate the journey of a relationship on your own. It is so easy to become lost in old patterns or at times feel like giving up. To have the support of this amazing person, who cares so passionately for our cause It has been eye opening and a true gift to treasure. Like a breath of fresh air, she uncovered what we could not see, set our sails straight and gave us tools and a map for our way ahead. The wonderful thing about this course is that you don’t have to feel there is anything to ‘fix’ in your relationship. Couples can refresh and find ways to deepen the best relationship. We can all get lost in our busy lives and making the commitment to ourselves and our relationship is both rewarding and enlightening. I have come away with so many gems, so much hope and so much gratitude. I would recommend it to every couple who has the intention to improve, deepen and reconnect in their relationship.

The course was so powerful it was like attending a retreat. Within the course there arose for me challenges, insights, learning and enlightening openings about myself, my partner and how our past can shape our present interactions. Through the understanding of these insights, we've moved some blocks and now feel a sense of a refreshed bond with new tools to practice committed and responsible connection to each other and perhaps even ourselves. It was so invaluable to share with the other couples and of course the skilfulness, deep relatedness and experience of Valerie and Brendon the facilitators.

I highly recommend this course to all couples; I am deeply grateful and will definitely stay with the learnings. They are gold.

Alchemy of Love is beneficial for every couple, regardless of age, stage, or issue. It allows you to gain a deeper understanding of your partner and yourself which can explain why cracks may appear at times. I have never felt so safe and supported to face any issue that arises, no matter its magnitude. It may seem daunting to do some of this in front of other couples but you soon realise the power in sharing the experience. The work is meaningful and at times confronting and uncomfortable, but the benefits far outweigh this. The focus is on your intimate relationship with your partner, but the insights and personal growth permeate through all your relationships. Valerie is really genuine, caring, raw and emotive. They are clearly always working on themselves, so you never feel like they are up on a pedestal. I highly recommend this course as it affordable, powerful and will change your life.

Thank you Valerie for your guidance in helping us to rebuild our relationship. There is no doubt that in our busy lives, it’s easy to neglect our relationship and subsequently drift apart. We found that trying to reconnect on our own had become exhausting. Our relationship couldn’t seem to gain any traction and we came to you with what seemed to be a hopeless situation. After spending a short time with both of you we felt that there was hope for us. The comforting, supportive and relaxed environment that you guys create for this experience made us feel like we could tackle anything together. The techniques you use in helping us reconnect may have seemed unusual at first, but we quickly found that the more we embraced the experience the more we were getting out of it.