Couples therapy.

Couples counselling is a form of talking therapy that helps you strengthen your relationship and deal with challenges together. Common areas of focus include communication difficulties, conflict and emotional distance. It is open to all types of relationships, whether you are married, cohabiting or in another partnership, and is inclusive of all couples.

Modern couple therapy methods emphasise the interaction between you as a couple, rather than focusing solely on individual problems. It’s not just about improving your relationship – couples counselling can also contribute to better mental health and well-being for both of you.

How can couples counselling help?

Couples counselling can help you deal with a range of challenges, such as:

• Communication problems
• conflict management
• Emotional distance
• Life changes (e.g. becoming parents or moving in together)
• Parenting challenges
• Sexual problems
• Trust and infidelity

Effective couples therapy approaches.

Couples therapy offers several different methods that can be customised to your specific needs. Here are some of the most popular ones:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy for couples (CBCT): A CBT-based approach that helps you identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours.
• Emotionally docused therapy (EFT): Strengthens emotional bonds by breaking negative patterns of interaction, particularly effective for couples affected by trauma or PTSD.
• Gottman method: A research-based approach that focuses on building respect, intimacy and closeness, while managing conflict in a constructive way.
• Imago relationship herapy (IRT): Helps couples heal childhood wounds and increase understanding and empathy between each other.

Benefits of couples therapy – how it can strengthen your relationship.

• Better communication: Learn to express thoughts and feelings more clearly to avoid misunderstandings and create a deeper understanding of each other.
• Effective conflict management: Get tools to handle disagreements in a calm and constructive way, reducing unnecessary conflict.
• Strengthened trust and intimacy: Build both emotional closeness and physical connection for a more secure and loving relationship.

How does couples counselling work?

Couples counselling often follows a structured process that can be divided into three stages:

1. Initial assessment: The therapist gets to know your relationship, your challenges and what you want to achieve from therapy.
2. Awareness: Together you explore the patterns and emotional triggers that affect your interaction.
3. Develop strategies: You will be given practical tools, such as communication exercises and role-playing, to deal with challenges and strengthen your relationship in everyday life.

Effective techniques in couples therapy.

Couples therapy can involve a variety of techniques depending on the approach used, including:

• Communication training: Learn how to use ‘I’ statements to express feelings without placing blame, and practise active listening to enhance understanding.
• Problem solving: Work together to identify challenges and develop sustainable solutions.
• Goal setting: Set shared goals that strengthen your relationship and provide a sense of direction and purpose.
• Reflection: Practise pausing and reflecting before reacting, to avoid impulsive responses.
• Role-play: Explore new ways of communicating and collaborating in a safe, supportive environment.

When is couples counselling helpful?

If you’re facing recurring conflicts, emotional distance, or other challenges that are affecting your relationship, couples counselling can offer valuable support in finding a way forward. It can also be especially helpful after significant life changes or challenges, such as infidelity, the arrival of a child, or major life transitions.