Couples / Relationships Counselling
Couples counselling is a form of talking therapy that aims to improve communication and resolve issues between a couple in a welcoming, safe, non judgemental atmosphere.
Our couple counsellors offer help with a range of problems
- Communication difficulties
- Lack of trust
- An affair or betrayal
- Sexual issues
- Family conflicts
- Work related stress
- Life changes
Many couples come after several years of difficulty, others hope to explore underlying problems before they become too severe.
What to expect
Counsellors usually offer one or two assessment sessions to identify the main areas of difficulty. If it is agreed that couple counselling would be helpful,counsellors are likely to:
- Reflect on the history of the relationship
- Explore how the past is operating in the present,and likely to impact on the future
- Identify how arguments begin and worsen
- How external factors, such as family issues affect a couple
- Negotiate and resolve conflicts where possible
- Promote constructive communication
The aim is to enable couples to make sense of what is happening, and through that understanding to find their own ways of dealing with problems within their relationship. This may be through staying together or separating. The counsellor is there to facilitate couples in making their own decisions about the best way forward for them.
Counsellors can offer day and evening appointments, the latter are in great demand so there may be a wait for these.
The counsellors who offer this service are:
I have worked with couples since the 1990s, and augmented this through continuing professional development at workshops and seminars. I offer 1 or 2 initial assessment sessions to enable us to identify how our work together may best progress. Depending on the outcome of the assessment ongoing work may involve seeing you together or be a combination of individual and joint sessions. I offer couples work on Wednesdays at the Dunton Centre. It is usually easier to arrange appointments during the daytime.
I have a background in Social work and in 1970 completed a full time, 12 month training at the Tavistock Institute of Marital Studies (now known as Tavistock Relations). At an initial assessment meeting we would explore your situation, agree a way forward together, confirm regular ongoing sessions and discuss any questions and concerns you may have about couple counselling. I aim to provide a safe, welcoming non judgemental environment, so communication between you can become more open.
