Couples therapy, helps couples — married or not — understand and resolve conflicts and improve their relationship. Couples therapy gives couples the tools to communicate better, negotiate differences, problem solve and even argue in a healthier way.
How can counselling for couples help?

When we have been in a relationship or marriage for a long time it can be easy to fall into a trap of not listening to the other person or not communicating our needs clearly. Sometimes talking to someone with no connection to yourself or your partner is all it takes for you to gain perspective. What couples counselling offers here is the chance to speak to someone with no preconceived notions of who you are as a couple, with the added bonus of having skills and training behind them to guide you through your concerns.

The overall aim of couples counselling is to help you do the following:
Understand how external factors such as family values, religion, lifestyle and culture affect your relationship.
Reflect on the past and how it operates in the present.
Communicate in a more constructive way.
Learn why arguments escalate.
Negotiate and resolve conflicts where possible.

As your counseling sessions progress, you and your partner may find a way of overcoming your problems, or you may decide it is time to part ways. Either way, hopefully counselling will offer you the space to grow and decide what you would like the future to hold for both of you.
Common relationship problems explored

There are many different concerns that may bring you to couples counseling, ranging from a lack of communication right through to a betrayal or affair. Some common issues that can be explored through couples counseling include:

• lack of trust
• betrayal or affair
• jealousy
• lack of communication
• financial issues
• work-related stress
• abusive behaviour
• different sexual needs or other sexual issues
• family conflicts
• different goals and values
• different parenting styles
• controlling behaviour
• life changes.

This list is not exhaustive and every situation is unique. Whatever the concern is however, speaking to a professional is often an incredibly helpful step forward.
When is the right time to seek help?
Every couple is different and so when you choose to seek help will depend on the nature of the issue you are facing. If you are concerned about your relationship (for whatever reason) and feel you are unable to reach a conclusion alone, it is likely that you will benefit from couples counselling.

For some, the suggestion of couples counseling is considered a ‘last resort’ to save a relationship/marriage. While of course this is sometimes the case, you do not have to wait until things get that bad before trying couples counseling. Many couples use therapy sessions as a way to keep their relationship healthy and address any underlying concerns that may become conflicts in the future.
What training and qualifications should a couples counsellor have?All our Counselors hold MBA in counselling and family therapy and members of proffesional counselling association