Relationship Counselling
Relationship Counselling is where individuals and couples can learn new ways of communication, the rediscovery of intimacy and joy. Learn ways to enhance your lives and how you can incorporate this as an important part of the life you want to create with yourself, partners and others.
Relationship Counselling is the process of counselling the parties of a relationship in an effort to recognize and to better manage or reconcile troublesome differences and repeating patterns of distress. The relationship involved may be between members of a family or a couple, workplace employees and employers, or between a professional and a client.
Couples Counselling (or relationship therapy) is a related and different process. It may differ from relationship counselling in duration. Short term counselling may be between 1 to 6 sessions whereas long term couples therapy may be between 10 and 20 sessions. (Always variable) An exception is brief or solution focused couples therapy. In addition, counselling tends to be more 'here and now' and new coping strategies and skills are the outcome. Couples therapy is more about seemingly intractable problems with a relationship history, where emotions and behaviours are the target and the agent of change.
Sex Therapy is the treatment of any sex, sexual health or sexual concerns plus any knowledge and information regarding your personal or relationship connections and choices. Sexual concerns can be attributed to stress, tiredness, health, relationship factors or other environmental, personal or wellbeing concerns.
When do you definitely need counselling?
Couples and individuals may come for counselling as a last resort. It is advisable to seek counselling before a relationship is at a stalemate. Being proactive in seeking help is a positive for relationship wellbeing. I provide a space to openly communicate your individual and couple concerns without bias or shaming. Below are some examples of relationships that benefit from Relationship/Couples Counselling
- One of you is very insecure, clingy or jealous and this is ruining the relationship
- You're moody with each other most of the time
- One or both of you can't discuss feelings with the other
- Discussions always turn into rows
- One or other of you is unhappy much of the time
- You've stopped having sex
- Rivalry and competitiveness
- Learn to bring intimacy, communication, respect, equality, friendship, laughter, expression and joy back into your life and relationships whether you are single or a couple
RELATIONSHIP ISSUES! YOU'RE NOT ALONE!
Below are some examples of the types of issues that are commonly dealt with in Relationship Counselling:
Lack of Communication
I have been married for over 12 years and my partner and I still love each other very much but we have fallen into a rut so to speak. All we seem to do is watch TV, care for the kids, go to work and fall asleep at night exhausted. When we first met, we couldn't stop talking and making each other laugh. We have discussed this together and we are both interested in learning to find new ways of communication and time management so we both can regain some much needed fun, romance, intimacy and quality time for ourselves.
Does Monogamy Exist
I am about to be married and in the past I have had relationships where either myself or my partner at the time have engaged in other areas of sexual or emotional connections with other people or internet connections of varying degrees. My current partner and I would like to discuss what Monogamy means in the global context and whether we would like to incorporate this into our relationship or work out ways in which we can both be happy and comfortable with any choices around this topic we decide upon together for our Relationship.
Mediation
We are a couple and are having difficulties trying to sort out the management of our current extended family situation. We both have children from previous marriages and would like to discuss ways in which we will be able to maintain and enjoy the complexities of a blended family situation.
More Children
I am what I would describe as a "real earth mother" and I really love having babies and the responsibilities this entails with regard to family life. We have 3 children and I would ideally love another 2. I feel as though I am not being heard when I suggest this to my partner as he has said no more babies. I feel we need help in coming to an agreement where the both of us are happy.
Cultural Differences
I have met a wonderful woman who I have fallen madly in love with and wish to marry. We are both from different cultural backgrounds and we are having some difficulties in trying to incorporate each other’s beliefs and ideals into the relationship. We know this relationship can work all we need is some independent guidance around some of these areas.
Pre-Marital Counselling
We are a young couple looking for a great couple’s counsellor. Our wedding date is less than 90 days away so we are kind of late getting started on this issue. We have been friends for a very long time and are looking for an opportunity to learn richer ways to communicate with one another and skills to help address any negative scripts/dialogue patterns we have established as well as ways to significantly enhancing our current relationship.
Sexual Wants Needs & Desires
Not being met.
Infidelity
Do I stay or do I go? How do I manage this? How do we manage this? Can we get through this?
Social Media Platforms & Dating Sites
We are in a supposedly monogamous relationship. My partner says going on sites and chatting isn't cheating, I don't agree! We argue a lot about this. We need help.
Not Comfortable with Partners Close Work Friend
I have come across texts and emails and I feel the conversations are becoming very intimate. My partner says I have nothing to worry about, she is only talking to him about a problem she is experiencing. I'm not so sure. Why doesn’t she talk to me about this instead of him?
