Relationships can bring great joy but also significant challenge. Couples counselling can help you to:

• bring awareness to what’s happening in the relationship
• help you find tools and understanding to change what needs to be changed
• improve communication

How we might work in couples therapy

Couples therapy can work in a variety of ways, depending on your goals, but ways of working might include:

• exploring what you are struggling with as a couple, to find a way forward
• finding ways to express feeling and say what needs to be said
• develop ways of hearing each other more fully
• understanding how the past might be influencing the present
• finding ways to deal with the flashes of emotion which can sometimes derail conversations
• navigating specific relationship challenges such as fertility issues, family problems or an affair
• for some couples, finding a way to part respectfully might be the intended focus

My role

My role in the work is to listen and reflect what is happening and help you find ways to navigate the issues you are bringing as a couple.

Types of issues brought to couples therapy

Couples counselling can explore any aspect of relationship. This might include:

• communication issues
• changes brought about by the arrival of children
• challenges brought about by bringing the lives of two people together
• an affair
• impact of illness or loss
• sexual issues
• effects of emotional or mental health issues such as anxiety or depression
• growing apart
• anything that is getting in the way of your connection

Resources

‘Mating in Captivity’ by Esther Perel and ‘Buddha in the bedroom’ by Cheryl Fraser both give good insight into relationships and what helps to foster connection