Relationship Counselling
Relationship Counselling, sometimes known as couples therapy or marriage guidance, can help people work through the difficulties and problems that affect many relationships. People usually come to me when they feel their relationship is in some sort of trouble or crisis. Emotions might range from anger, resentment and bitterness to shame, sadness or humiliation. Some people seek support in the early stages of their relationship and others after many years. It is not uncommon for individuals to come alone at first or to have a partner who is reluctant to attend. I encourage an initial meeting where we can identify what might be happening and work out how to broach the idea of attendance with the other partner.
Relationships can face a number of challenges. These might be overt, such as an affair, betrayal or some sort of domestic abuse. Other challenges may be more subtle, yet just as problematic, such as communication difficulties, a lack of physical intimacy or disagreements over money or children. Some couples will attend wanting to save or repair their relationship, others may be seeking clarity about whether they wish the relationship to continue. In some cases, the relationship may be ending but partners wish to work out a separation in a safe, non-judgemental environment.
Rather than assigning blame or highlighting what each partner is doing wrong, we seek to understand how individuals relate to each other, and how they can relate more successfully.
I have experience supporting many relationship issues, including:
- Communication difficulties / not understanding each other
- Family difficulties
- Infidelity and extra-marital affairs
- Commitment issues
- Differing priorities
- Intimacy difficulties – both emotional and physical
- Conflict
- Grief or loss
- Domestic abuse
