Couples Counselling

As with individual counselling, couples counselling provides a safe space where any issues or difficulties can be brought into the room and explored. This safe, supportive environment is designed to help couples resolve their differences, reach compromises or construct solutions that will benefit both parties. Sometimes the solution may actually be to separate, in these cases counselling can help support both parties as they navigate this situation.

There are times when those wonderful feelings of love, support, comfort and connection we feel when we are in a relationship can be replaced with pain, conflict or a feeling of isolation. Some couples will seek out counselling because their relationship has reached a breaking point, others because they are starting to sense that there could be hard times ahead. It is never too early or late to come together to seek support.

It’s easy to forget to consider whether one or both parties have unwittingly brought trauma from past relationships to their current one. Having an opportunity to explore this possibility and heal can not only have a wonderfully positive effect on the current relationship but also the individual and give their partner a chance to understand them on a deeper level.

Ultimately, the aim of couples counselling is to create a healthy, balanced, connected relationship, if that is what both partners want. A counsellor will guide, support and offer tools but ultimately you will only get the outcome you desire if both individuals are prepared to be honest and put in the hard work, effort and commitment required. This is the only way change can happen for an individual and couple alike.

Some common issues that can be explored through couples counselling include:

• lack of trust
• betrayal or affair
• jealousy
• lack of communication
• financial issues
• work-related stress
• different sexual needs or other sexual issues
• family conflicts
• different goals and values
• different parenting styles
• life changes
• trouble with commitment or taking on responsibilities