Couples Counselling

Relationship counselling is for couples who are either experiencing a crisis, going through significant life changes or wanting to relate better to one another.

One or both partners might have a clear idea of what is putting a relationship under strain: lack of love, affection, intimacy, sexual differences and difficulties, affairs and betrayal, or specific negative behaviours and patterns of relating.

The key to effective relationship therapy is motivation and willingness of both parties to work on their relationship together. It is not uncommon for one party in the couple to make the first step in seeking help. However, if the other person is completely unwilling, it will be very difficult to do any productive work. This is not to say that one or both people won’t feel scared or resistant. These are normal feelings experienced by many when seeking a relationship therapist’s support, especially if it is for the first time.

How can Couples Therapy – Relationship Counselling Benefit Us?

The key to any healthy relationship is good communication. This may sound simple and yet you’d be surprised how few couples communicate well.

Couples therapy supports the couple in exploring with new and healthier ways of relating through effective communication and conflict resolution.

I do this by creating an environment where I invite you to speak openly and honestly in your partner’s presence. I will be interested in knowing more about your history (individual and as a couple) and the key factors that led you to develop some of the relational patterns which are keeping you stuck.

I’ll facilitate a dialogue by listening equally to both parties, understanding the issues that you are faced with and working with you towards more effective communication. Relationship therapy is a collaborative process, whereby we jointly find out about your needs and goals, and work towards achieving them.

What Issues Can You Help With?

Some of the common areas couples seek support with include, but not limited to:

I offer couples counselling on the following basis:

• I work within a framework of 8 – 12 sessions, plus an initial assessment session.
• I then invite you to ‘go it alone’ for an agreed period to help the work bed-in. The door is open for you to return to further enhance your relationship.
• Once per week, ideally at a regular time slot.
• £70 per session which lasts for 60 – 70 minutes.
• I charge the full fee for absences, cancellations and missed appointments where I am given less than one week’s notice.
• I take approximately 8 weeks break per year and I give plenty of notice of those breaks and changes to them.