Relationships
If you’re looking for ways to strengthen or repair your relationship. You’ll get the tools you need to effectively communicate and build a strong, mutually rewarding partnership with expert counselling and therapy.
How Relationship Counselling Can Make Relationships Stronger
Saying “relationships are hard” is so common that it’s a cliché now. But it’s also very true. Even when people get along well, stress and daily life can cause conflicts that seem difficult or impossible to resolve. Relationship counselling can help people in these challenging situations to work through their problems, move beyond them, and be better partners overall.
What Is Relationship Counselling?
Relationship counselling, also known as couples counselling or couples therapy, is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on helping people improve their romantic relationships. By working with an experienced therapist, couples can explore issues in their relationship, work on their communication, improve interactions, and resolve conflicts.
While relationship counselling is often used to address problems, it can be helpful at any stage of a relationship. People in healthy, happy relationships can still benefit from counselling that strengthens communication and connection.
When to Seek Relationship Counselling?
Many people believe that you should only seek relationship counselling when separation or divorce is on the horizon. But that is often too little, too late. Relationship therapy should begin as soon as the problems begin to get in the way of your daily life. Below are some common signs that you might benefit from a consultation:
- You have trouble expressing your feelings towards one another
- You have one or more unsolvable disagreement
- There is withdrawal, criticism, or contempt in your interactions
- A stressful event has shaken your daily life
- Sexual issues and/or lack of intimacy
- You have experienced infidelity, addiction, or some form of abuse
- You have trouble making and agreeing upon decisions together
- You want a stronger relationship
- Family issues
Remember that there are no wrong reasons to seek relationship counselling. Some couples start therapy as soon as they are married, even without obvious problems, with a view to building a strong foundation and prevent serious problems from developing in the future.
Keep in mind that the average couple waits six years before seeking therapy. This is a long time to allow underlying problems to fester; at this point, troubled relationships are often difficult to save. Instead, it’s best to acknowledge problems early and seek therapy as soon as possible.
Relationship therapy also isn’t just for married people; cohabiting couples, people in non-monogamous relationships, and LGBTQ people can also benefit. It can also be helpful for siblings dealing with family issues, or even business partners.
Donna Marie Thomas
Hello, my name is Donna, I am a qualified counsellor, psychotherapist, hypnotherapist and Registered Member of BACP based in Pontefract, West Yorkshire.
I have a passion for helping people to enjoy a happier, more fulfilling life via a person centred approach to therapy tailored to meet each individuals specific needs.
Get in touch to find out more or book an appointment with me today.
What Defines a Good Relationship?
What makes a good relationship varies widely from person to person and relationship to relationship. Each person may value different aspects of their relationship to a different degree.
Most people agree that the following represent the core foundations of a healthy, adult relationship:
- Mutual respect
- Trust
- Emotional support
- Good communication
- Companionship
- Shared sexual expression
- Shared economic security
Counsellors can help you to better understand where and why things may have gone wrong in your relationship, and how together you can overcome these problems.
Taking into consideration the above areas, a therapist helping with relationship problems can help identify specific issues, and how (if possible), the relationship can be rebuilt and flourish.
How to Get the Most out of Relationship Counselling and Therapy
Effective therapy depends not only on the skills and experience of the counsellor but also on the willingness of the couple. There are many things you can do to make your relationship counselling more effective and to maximise the potential it has to offer.
- Be honest
Don’t lie to your therapist. Sometimes we lie because we don’t want to be judged. However, your therapist’s job is not to judge you but to help you. Stay honest, even when it’s hard
- Prepare yourself for some discomfort
Therapy can often cause discomfort because you are discovering new truths about yourself and your partner and not all of them are going to be nice, happy or things you wish to hear. Working on yourself requires that you sit with your discomfort and acknowledge that you need to grow and improve.
- Listen to your partner
Whether you are doing relationship therapy with one person or a larger family group, it’s important to listen to what others have to say.
- Put in the time and effort
Therapy happens as much in sessions as between them. Your counsellor may give you some homework or ask you to try new patterns of communication in between appointments. It’s going to take time and effort, but remember that it is worth it.
In the end, it’s the work that all members of the relationship put in that makes a difference in the results of the therapy.
Don’t expect the therapist to be a wizard who’s going to make all your problems disappear.
Benefits of Relationship Counselling
As with all types of therapy, relationship counselling requires you to feel ready to admit that there may be a problem, and be willing to try and work towards talking about and trying to fix any issues.
Relationship counselling aims to help you to better see and understand what is happening in your relationship, to figure out what you would like to be different, and enable you to start making those changes in order to get your relationship to where you want it to be.
Below are some of the common benefits gained from relationship counselling:
- Gain a deeper understanding of your relationship
- Get an impartial sounding board
- Create a safe space for you and your partner
- Begin to see each other’s perspectives
- Begin to resolve relationship roadblocks
- Learn strategic and effective coping skills
- Clarify your feelings about the relationship
- Restore trust
- Deepen your intimacy and connection
- Improve communication skills
- Work on your own self-awareness and growth
How Innerworth Counselling Can Help
Relationship therapy can be incredibly important if you’re looking for ways to strengthen or repair your relationship. You’ll get the tools you need to effectively communicate and build a strong, mutually rewarding partnership.
Take the First Step Now
If you want to start improving your relationship with your partner, then relationship therapy is a perfect place to start.
I offer private therapy, and take a person-centred approach, meaning that I’m non-judgemental, see clients as equals, and collaborate on your healing journey together.
If you feel you could benefit from relationship therapy and counselling, please book an initial consultation. You don’t have to prepare for this, just come as you are and we can look into how I might be able to help.
Additional Information
Here are some links that you may find helpful:
Relate
Whether it’s your relationship with a partner, a child, a family member or anyone else, Relate offer a wide range of useful tools.
www.relate.org.uk
Marriage Care
Providing help and support for couples in order to sustain healthy marriages and relationships in times of difficulty.
www.marriagecare.org.uk
Samaritans
The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need a response immediately, it’s best to call them on: 116 123.
www.samaritans.org
Contact me today to book a confidential consulation
What My Clients Say
Jason Osborne
I shall be forever bewildered by the effectiveness of hypnotherapy. I had always remained sceptical until my very last session, then the “weight” that suddenly lifted was both physical and emotional and continues to benefit both myself and those around me three years on – thank you Donna.
Jason Osborne
Abigail Johnson
I’ve finally found a solution to my dependency on food. Your weight-loss therapy sessions have seriously transformed my life. Honestly, I could cry, I am so happy and feel like a totally new person, inside and out! Truly amazing Donna.
Abigail Johnson
Charlotte Dickinson
I went to see Donna because my anxiety and depression had spiralled out of control. I now have skills and techniques that I can use for the rest of my life to help me cope with any challenges. Thoroughly recommend psychotherapy from Innerworth Counselling. Donna is warm, professional and clearly passionate about what she does.