All relationships go through difficult times. Relationship therapy, sometimes called couples counselling or marriage counselling, provides space for couples to explore issues and find solutions to problems within their relationship. Through encouraging clarity, openness and communication, relationship therapy can be useful for:

• Couples who are experiencing relationship difficulties and want to resolve these conflicts

• Couples who are facing the end of a relationship but want to try to work things out first

• Couples who are ending their relationship but want to end amicably, and on good terms

• Couples experiencing sexual or intimacy issues within their relationship

• Couples undergoing difficult transitions, bereavement or loss

• Individuals who want to understand why their relationships are not working or who want to change destructive patterns in order to create more satisfying relationships in the future

Relationships are an essential part of our lives. Sessions with an experienced relationship therapist give couples confidential space to talk openly about their relationships in an atmosphere that promotes understanding and resolution. Our relationship therapists manage this process while maintaining a neutral and non-judgemental position at all times.

As with individual therapy, the first appointment provides a chance for a couple to identify any issues, determine any specific goals in therapy and begin a process of open, constructive communication. Any concerns about relationship counselling can also be addressed at this time.

For more about relationship counselling in London or to book an initial consultation, please get in touch.

Further Information on

Relationship Counselling London

Relationship counselling (or couples counselling) is the process of counselling the members of a relationship in an effort to recognise and or reconcile troublesome differences or recurring patterns of distress. The relationship involved may be between members of a family or a couple (see also couples counselling below), employees or employers in a workplace, or between a professional and a client. Relationship counselling can be suitable for any type of relationship where people come together and find dis-harmony. Like mediation, relationship counselling sets out to identify and hopefully resolve conflict and issues between people. Relationship counselling may require just a few sessions to help individuals though the duration of relationship counselling varies due to the nature of the conflict. Family therapy also exists, for relationship problmes within families.

Couples Counselling London

Couples counselling (sometimes called marriage counselling) as a discrete, professional service is a recent phenomenon. Until the late 20th century, the work of couples counselling was informally fulfilled by close friends, family members, or local religious leaders. Psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and social workers have historically dealt primarily with individual psychological problems. These days, couples therapy is very common with many couples seeking help from counsellors, psychologists or psychotherapists for relationship problems.

Basic Principles of Relationship Counselling London

Before the relationship between the individuals can begin to be understood, it is important for all to recognise and acknowledge that everyone involved has a unique personality, world perception, set of values and history. Sometimes the individuals in the relationship adhere to different value systems. Cultural variables (like social, religious and ethnic factors) also shape a person's nature, and can have an impact on issues within a relationship. Most relationships will get strained at some time, resulting in dysfunctional, maladaptive patterns. There are many possible reasons for this, including insecure attachment, ego, arrogance, jealousy, anger, greed, poor communication/understanding or problem solving, ill health, third parties' influence, etc.... Also changes in financial situation, physical health, and the influence of other family members can have a profound influence on the conduct, responses and actions of the individuals in a relationship. Relationship counselling attempts to address relationship issues through enhanced communication in a non-judgemental, unbiased environment.

Couples Therapists London W1

The duty and function of a relationship counsellor or couples therapist is to listen, respect, understand and facilitate better communication between those involved. A relationship therapist should:

- Provide a confidential dialogue, which normalises feelings
- Enable each person to be heard and to hear themselves
- Provide a mirror to reflect the relationship's difficulties and the potential direction for change
- Empower those in the relationship to take control of the relaitonship's destiny and to make decisions

- Help those in a relationship to identify the repetitive, negative interaction cycles of the relationship.
- Help clients to understand the source of reactive emotions that drive this pattern.