MAFS expert John Aiken reveals which TV bride was receiving extra one-on-one counselling

MAFS expert John Aiken reveals which TV bride was receiving extra one-on-one counselling behind the scenes during this season

Married At First Sight‘s panel of experts play an important role in mediating relationship issues among the newlyweds on the controversial experiment.

And after a turbulent past few weeks for some of this year’s couples, John Aiken has divulged some cast members get extra support behind the scenes. 

Speaking to Hit Queensland’s Cliffo and Gabi radio show on Tuesday, John said while it’s their job to hold individuals account and ‘guide’ couples during the commitment ceremonies, more counselling happens off camera.

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‘We’re dealing with matters of the heart’: MAFS expert John Aiken (pictured) has revealed which TV bride was receiving extra one-on-one counselling behind the scenes this season

John is joined this year on the expert panel by Mel Schilling and Alessandra Rampollaand.

The radio hosts expressed their concerns for bride Melissa Rawson and asked if she was getting extra support amid her ‘marriage’ to Bryce Ruthven.

‘Yes, absolutely,’ John said, before adding: ‘Melissa and everybody else for that matter are constantly supported by a team of psychs throughout the whole show, but also before and after.’

'Yes, absolutely... Melissa and everybody else': The radio hosts expressed their concerns for bride Melissa Rawson (right) and asked if she was getting extra support amid her 'marriage' to Bryce Ruthven (left)

‘Yes, absolutely… Melissa and everybody else’: The radio hosts expressed their concerns for bride Melissa Rawson (right) and asked if she was getting extra support amid her ‘marriage’ to Bryce Ruthven (left)

'They are constantly supported by a team of psychs throughout the whole show - also before and after': John said the couples always have someone to talk to one-on-one, if needed

‘They are constantly supported by a team of psychs throughout the whole show – also before and after’: John said the couples always have someone to talk to one-on-one, if needed

‘It’s something that we really attend to and keep a close eye on, because we’re dealing with matters of the heart and they can get very raw at times on the show,’ he explained of the extra support on offer to all contestants. 

‘When they [the couples] come to these commitment ceremonies, it’s really a job of ours to shine a light on exactly what’s going on so we can guide them,’ he added.

On Sunday, John called out James Susler for ‘gaslighting’ his wife Joanne Todd on the program.

'This is classic, stereotypical gaslighting behaviour': On Sunday, John called out James Susler for 'gaslighting' his wife Joanne Todd on the program

‘This is classic, stereotypical gaslighting behaviour’: On Sunday, John called out James Susler for ‘gaslighting’ his wife Joanne Todd on the program

To the room’s surprise, John, 50, said that while observing the show’s dinner party, he and his fellow experts felt that he was ‘gaslighting’ his bride.

‘There is the issue, and this has got to do with a behavior James, which is classic, stereotypical gaslighting behaviour, and it’s something that has to stop,’ he began.

‘We got a close up look at it last night. We watched it for hours and hours, that behavior is gaslighting and it is toxic and it hurts people that are close to you.’ 

The luxury car dealer, 45, decided to leave the experiment as a result of the confrontation.  

It's over! James, 45, (right) and Joanne Todd, 39, (left) sensationally QUIT the experiment on Sunday night after the millionaire car dealer was called out by expert John for 'gaslighting'

It’s over! James, 45, (right) and Joanne Todd, 39, (left) sensationally QUIT the experiment on Sunday night after the millionaire car dealer was called out by expert John for ‘gaslighting’