Couples counselling

Couples counselling addresses the problems arising from adult sexual or intimate relationships. The relationship, rather than the two individuals, is the ‘client’.

Our very closest relationship: a marriage; co-habitation or civil partnership, is based on intimacy and trust. When it stops working we are affected deeply and our health and happiness suffer. Our sense of identity and self-worth often rests on the strength of our relationships and we can despair when our prime relationship fails.

Pressures of work, family, money and health all take their toll. Suddenly the relationship that once recharged us leaves us drained and disappointed.

Patterns of behaving that we learned as children often re-emerge in our adult relationship. A childhood ‘scapegoat’ may start to feel blamed for everything by the partner who once adored them

The focus of couples counselling is on improving the quality of the relationship for both partners. Couples counseling looks at issues like communication, honesty, shared responsibilities, commitment, and mutual support. Problems such as abuse will also be addressed.

Many types of partnership can benefit from couples counseling, including married couples, couples preparing for marriage, co-habiting couples, dating couples, separated couples, and couples preparing for a divorce. Although originally developed as marital therapy, couples counseling now equally recognize and works with unmarried couples, as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples.