Relationship Counselling & Couples Therapy

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us” – Helen Keller

• Is there more conflict with your partner?
• Are you and you partner communicating less?
• Do you find you are now wanting different things?

Who Can Benefit from Relationship Counselling?

I provide relationship therapy to both individuals and couples and work with a wide range of issues that may be impacting a relationship.  In addition I work with those who have difficulty embarking on or maintaining a relationship.  I can help with building your self-confidence and finding out who you are and what you want.

Relationships can change for a variety of reasons and you may find that it is quite different from the one you started.  The relationship can change over time as one or both parties to the relationship may change.

It is often difficult to take an objective stance and to really see one another’s perspectives when a relationship is having difficulties. This can be further complicated by outside factors and opinions. Coming for relationship counselling with an independent person who has experience in working with relationships and couples, the relationship and the couple can be supported in a safe environment to explore their difficulties with the knowledge that the support is confidential, non-judgemental and impartial.

Some of the relationship issues I work with include:

Understanding If You Need Relationship Counselling

Ask yourself these few simple questions about yourself, your better half and your relationship. If you answer yes to most of these, you are statistically more at risk of divorce. 

• Did you get married at a young age?
• Do you withdraw from each other?
• Do you have poor communication?
• Did your parents divorce?
• Did you fail to finish secondary school?
• Are you in a low-income bracket?
• Is there infidelity, abuse or addiction in your marriage?
• Do you often criticise one another?

Even if most of your answers were yes, it does not mean divorce has to be the final solution. However, it may mean working that extra bit harder to get your marriage back on track, and speaking to a therapist can help with this. 

Even couples who have realistic expectations, communicate well and are compatible can benefit from relationship counselling. It may just be that they need an additional push to solidify their communication skills and strengthen their bond. 

Will Relationship Counselling Work For You?

There are ways to benchmark whether or not marriage counselling will work for you; counsellors advise that some couples may gain more out of it. If you're in one of the below categories, you're likely to benefit the most;

• Younger couples
• Couples open to therapy and change
• Couples who are still in love
• Couples willing to observe themselves and their flaws

On the other hand, counselling is not for everybody, but that does not mean you should give up hope! Everyone can get help, but some relationships may take more time to heal. If you're in any of the following categories allow your relationship a little more time and know you may have to make an extra effort:

• Couples who wait too long before seeking help
• Marriages where both show up to sessions but are not so invested in putting the work in
• Marriages where one is set on divorce
• Couples who are not willing to open themselves up to suggestions of help

Finding A Qualified Counsellor

When you feel you may need counselling it is important you choose someone who is caring, empathic and someone you feel able to trust.  It is also important that the counsellor has had the proper training and experience.  It is useful to find someone who is a member of BACP or UKCP.  These organisations have a set of standards that their members must satisfy and a code of conduct and ethics that members must adhere to.