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Relationship and marriage counselling in Bristol, London and Taunton

What happens in a couples counselling session?

Below on this page: Is couples counselling right for me?

A huge proportion of divorces and relationship breakups are completely un-necessary. My experience is that many couples who split up have simply never attempted the practical steps, sometimes simple ones, which could have healed their relationship.

I always aim to offer "hope without hype". And I am realistic. Of course, some relationships can't be saved, some indeed are toxic and are best escaped from. Others end naturally as partners evolve in different directions, and sometimes you just marry the wrong person. But very many couples drown within reach of the shore simply because they don't know how to swim.

A crisis, for example:

Fighting and power struggles
Conflicts about money or the children
Affairs and infidelity
Lack of affection and sexual interest
Emotional disconnection

... doesn't have to be a disaster. Every one of these situation can potentially be looked back on as a turning point for the better. Every one can potentially be, not the beginning of the end of the relationship, but the end of the beginning, the time when you really got to know each other, the time when intimacy and connection really started.

For in fact, differences, pain, hurt and anger are not the enemies of love. They can be the very doorway to intimacy. Happy couples don't necessarily have fewer problems. What they do have is mastery of the skills and the understandings to deal with them.

Actually, the answer to relationship problems is always the same: always, love. But you don't start with love for the other person! - you start with love for yourself. The foundation is to love and trust and respect yourself.

I work with singles or one partner or both. When I work with couples together, sometimes I suggest that one or both partners come for some individual work.

Don't wait for a crisis! With individual work, a crisis can actually be good, because then the person is open to really being different. But with relationships, it's better that one partner comes when things are "a bit iffy", than that both partners come when hurt has piled on top of hurt and things are heading towards divorce. I help you reconnect with love, trust, confidence, sexual pleasure, assertion, independence and joy.

I'll repeat - it's better not to wait for a crisis, To take the first step, give me a ring and leave a message (24 hours.) I'll call you back. 0845-3510604 / 0117-955-0490. I work with singles or with one or both partners in the marriage or relationship. I'm happy to answer questions or arrange, in Bristol or Taunton, a free, no-obligation half-hour introductory meeting.

Whole-person relationship and marriage counselling may be for you if:

You want relationship help either as a single person, one person in a relationship, or as a couple coming along together
You feel your relationship or marriage could be giving you more
You're unhappy that you're not in a relationship
You've been to Relate or other counselling but found that nothing changed
Your partner or yourself has had an affair and you need to recover trust in each other
Communication with your partner is breaking down, for example:
>> you're saying the same things over and over but getting nowhere;
>> you feel whatever you say will only make things worse;
>> anger flares easily;
>> there are super-sensitive hotspots you have to avoid at all costs;
>> you're starting to think "oh, what's the use" and giving up even trying.
After you talk, you feel confused and thrown and lose trust in what you feel.
You have a repeating pattern of relationship which you can't get free from - for example, problems with commitment or fear of intimacy
The marriage or relationship seems at risk of divorce against your hopes, and you need some help and support with your own options, confidence, and self-love
You feel your individual issues are getting in the way with your partner, or his/her are getting in the way with you
You have trouble expressing your needs and boundaries
You want clarity about one specific issue or conflict (work, money, children, sex, etc)
You need help in recovering from a painful breakup or a toxic relationship
Part of you wants to leave, part of you wants to stay
There are things you and your partner need to change or understand and you don't know how to do that

I work with singles or one partner or both. Even if one partner won't come, progress is still possible. Sometimes it's actually better to see each partner individually first. Either way, DON'T WAIT FOR THE CRISIS. Give me a ring today (0845-3510604 / 0117-955-0490) and explore what you can do. Leave a message, I'll call you back. I'm happy to answer questions or arrange, in Bristol or Taunton, a free, no-obligation half-hour introductory meeting.

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Love is the way messengers from the mystery tell us things.

Nisargadatta Maharaj

Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.

Gautam Buddha

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