Couples Counselling
You can improve your relationship with Linda's help and support. Linda has vast experience in helping couples to overcome their difficulties, and specialises in this area, so call her today.
Couples counselling, which was previously known as marital therapy or marriage guidance, 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.
Signs you have relationship problems
communication breaks down
sex has ended or causes problems
arguments continue without resolution
violence erupts
depression or other health problems recur
the bond of trust is eroded or broken.
It is normal for relationships to suffer as the pressure and strains of everyday life mount. Love may disappear, replaced by resentment and anger. Each partner can view this differently depending on their own experience of family life. One may despair, while the other may view it as a temporary blip.
Where a couple has attached hastily - in response to a passion, pregnancy or other need, disappointments can surface and fester when the excitement subsides. Renegotiating, with a skilled counsellor, can help build a more realistic and deeper relationship.
When is the right time for couple counselling?
There has been a betrayal of trust; an affair, debt or secret.
Talking causes confusion or unbearable anger.
Separation or Divorce seems like the only option.
Desire has gone or sex is no fun.
Arguments and bickering go on and on.
If possible, attend together unless there is domestic violence or fear. Counselling can be undertaken with one partner if that feels more comfortable.
Being able to manage conflict, arguments and rows is the foundation stone to a good relationship. It is unrealistic to hope that arguments can be avoided.
Two people come with their own values and beliefs and both must feel heard in order to thrive. This may mean developing new skills.
Differences need to be acknowledged; otherwise we merge or one partner is unheard. Then one partner may dominate and the other 'disappears'.
Arguments are a healthy and essential part of any relationship and can energise it if carried out skilfully. Indirect anger and domestic violence are destructive.
Counselling can help with understanding the messages about conflict that we may have inherited from our family and offer new skills.
How can couples counselling help?
Destructive patterns of communicating and behaving can be recognised and addressed.
Conflict and communication can be improved.
New relationship skills can be learned.
The impact of change and loss can be examined.
Relationships can be more successful.
Abusive relationships and domestic violence can be acknowledged.
Sex can be a source of great enjoyment within a long-term relationship and any problems it poses can leave one partner feeling rejected or angry. Loss of desire is often an early sign of problems.
Psychosexual issues can highlight a problem within the relationship or arise from the past. Childhood sexual abuse, for example, can impact on an otherwise happy relationship and can be helped with Psychosexual therapy. Other sexual problems may have a physical or medical cause, but can often be addressed.
Separation & divorce counselling can help explore whether trust can be repaired or the relationship will need to be rebuilt. If not, it can allow the couple to split with more understanding and less hostility.
Call Linda on 0779 4647442 to ask any further questions or to book an appointment. You can also contact us via e-mail and request a call back using the contact page.
*Disclaimer: The results of these services and therapies may vary from person to person.
