Relationship counselling is an effective form of talking therapy. Sessions will take place in my summerhouse at my home, which is a safe and confidential setting. The aim of couples counselling is to improve communication and resolve issues within an intimate relationship while in therapy. In contrast to counselling for relationship problems, which can be undertaken solely through individual sessions.
A romantic relationship is one of the closest forms of relationship that we have. Choosing a partner and staying together through life’s ups and downs is rarely simple and if you choose to then get married, buy a home or start a family together, this only adds to the complexity.
Very few relationships exist conflict-free – whether it’s the odd disagreement, repeatedly arguing or you’ve lost the fun element in your relationship – it’s natural to start to question its longevity.
When this begins to falter, our health and happiness can also suffer. For many of us, our first instinct is to try and work through the problems alone, but it can be incredibly helpful to seek outside support, whether that be through friends and family, or even a professional.
The therapy I offer is person-centred counselling, I also bring in the opportunity to do some work together at home, giving each other the opportunity to talk and be heard, with that in mind I have suggested that one person talk while the other listens and to then reverse so the partner has the same opportunity. (Some feedback I have had is) “It’s the first time that I have felt listened to”
In the years I have worked as a counsellor I have had clients who come to see me on their own and they bring issues about the relationship they are in. what I have found beneficial is that when couples come to counselling they bring the issues they are having difficulty with to the room where it is open for discussion.
I recognize while couples therapy is ideally suited to couples attending the sessions together, sometimes one partner is reluctant to attend, so you can look to speak to the counsellor on your own, to begin with.
You might find your partner wants to join you after you’ve had some initial sessions alone and it can be helpful to intersperse couple sessions with individual sessions. This is something I apply to the couples I offer therapy to which works well
It’s dynamically different to one-to-one counselling because there are three people in the room, but it shares the same values: confidentiality, a code of ethics, and a focus on you and your needs. What it’s not about is the opinions or preferred outcomes of the counsellor.
My role as the counsellor is to facilitate change and bring about a resolution by helping you both communicate more effectively and reach your own conclusions under professional guidance. It’s important to remember that when you go for couple’s therapy, you won’t simply be told what to do.
A couple’s counsellor will not give you the answers to or whether or not you should separate. All these important issues are made by each individual themselves.
Most people that come through my doors are nervous initially as I am a stranger and they are walking through my doors feeling vulnerable and knowing they will be discussing their own private matters with me. This is all a very natural process and also expected. I am not there to judge or criticize the client that is sitting in front of me. All I ask is that you are open to feel you are safe, not judged where you can explore your feelings and emotions openly.
When we’ve been in a relationship or marriage for a long time, it can be easy to fall into a trap of not listening to the other person, or not communicating our needs clearly. Sometimes talking to someone objectively, with no connection to yourself or your partner, is all it takes for you to gain perspective. What couples counselling offers is the chance to speak to someone with no preconceived notions of who you are as a couple, with the expertise of skilled training behind them to guide you through your concerns.