What is Couples Therapy?

Couples therapy, also called relationship counselling, can help to learn how to communicate and manage conflict better or when a relationship is in crisis (after an affair, for example). 

Both partners talk in confidence to a therapist to explore what has gone wrong in the relationship and how to change things for the better. It can help couples learn more about each other's needs and communicate better.

Couples therapy can improve the mutual support you provide for each other. Often people who find it hard to use psychological help on their own are able to attend and get something from doing so if their partner is also involved.

Couples therapy is suitable for couples of all ages, whether they are married or not, mixed or same sex, living together or apart. 

Couples therapy can help with depression and isolation, mental health issues and parenting issues. Many couples find difficulties start after a painful event or illness, or following a significant life change such as: 

• moving in together
  
• the arrival of children
  
• the loss of a job
  
• taking on step children
  
• infidelity
  
• retirement

• sexual difficulties
  
• other change or disruption

Couple Therapist support couples where the partners need help with their emotional lives and feel more comfortable coming together, as well as couples who have troubled relationships which might be affecting their children. 

I have experience in working with couples who are in open, non-monogamous relationships.