Why therapy?
What is couples therapy about?
Some of the issues that are faced in therapy include lack of communication, depression, bereavement, sexual or intimacy problems, internet addiction, divorce and separation, parenting or other family conflicts, infidelity, trauma, addictions, work stress, retirement/ageing, and difficulties with trust and/or anger.
How does it help couples?
Couple counselling aims to identify the problems within a relationship and guide you towards solutions that work for both parties. A sympathetic, non-judgmental couple therapist can help you air your true feelings in a safe, comfortable and confidential environment.
Why should you consider therapy?
There are many factors in any relationship that impact our ability to be happy, from mundane domestic challenges to sudden financial stress or gradual loss of desire. Some problems sound trivial but may be more serious than we think; others sound serious but might easily be resolved. The purpose of therapy is to identify the particular issues that matter to YOU, and explore ways of reviving your relationship, or, if necessary, of moving on. It is not always quick or easy to find the underlying causes of friction; but therapy offers the prospect of understanding what has gone wrong, as a first step to putting things right.
Individuals
Individuals might seek relationship therapy to better understand their own emotions or to talk about their feelings towards their partners. Others seek to understand setbacks in past relationships, and why they may have turned sour or ended hurtfully.
How will we proceed?
During an initial consultation, we will discuss your most pressing issues and what you may be looking for or hoping to achieve in therapy. It is also a chance for me to explain how therapy works and for you to decide whether I might be able to help you. If you conclude that working with me would be worthwhile, we can then arrange weekly or fortnightly meetings at a time convenient for you.
It is not uncommon for partners to disagree about the need for or value of therapy. As a couples specialist, I believe the process can be more helpful if both partners are involved. But I know from experience that is not always possible, and I often see individuals who feel they benefit by being able to talk freely about their relationships to an independent listener.