Couples Therapy pals - 'WE ARE THE PERFECT MATCH!'

Amanda and Elizabeth analyse the special bond they've formed off screen

- Elise Cacace

When relationship experts Amanda Cox and Elizabeth Du Preez signed up to appear on the new documentary series Couples Therapy NZ, they never expected to form a lasting friendship.

"We first met on Zoom when Elizabeth was contemplating whether or not to take the role," recalls Amanda. "At that stage, I'd already committed and signed the dotted line, so we were looking for someone who I would work well with. At first, it felt a bit like online dating and we were a match!"

The show follows psychotherapist Amanda, 51, as she helps five Kiwi couples work through personal struggles and reignite the spark in their relationship. Throughout the series, she turns to psychologist Elizabeth, 54, for guidance and mentorship, which is a mandatory requirement for any practicing therapist.

“I think there’s an interesting difference between us,” reflects Elizabeth, 54, who emigrated from South Africa in 2009 with her son Franco, 24, due to new career opportunities. “I’m a psychologist and Amanda is a psychotherapist, but we have quite shared training backgrounds.”

Psychology focuses on short-term, symptom-focused mental health treatments, whereas psychotherapy deals with long-term therapy for deeper-rooted issues, including childhood trauma and relationship problems.