IDENTIFY ISSUES, EXPLORE CONFLICTS AND ESTABLISH GOALS.
Relationship counsellors work with couples or partnerships, and relationship counselling is sometimes called ‘couples counselling’, or ‘marriage counselling’ when used with married couples. It’s not just for romantic couples, though: friends or business partners may find it helpful as well. It’s all about improved communication.
There are many reasons why a couple might try this type of counselling. All relationships can have problems, and a counsellor may be able to help you find ways to move forward. The counsellor will work with you and your partner or partners to identify issues, resolve conflicts and set goals.
The counsellor will be non-judgemental and neutral. They will guide you through your concerns together. Sometimes talking to someone with no connection to you or your partner/partners can help you see things differently.
How can relationship counselling help?
- Discuss challenges openly in a non-judgemental, neutral space
- Gain a better understanding of each other and see things from different perspectives
- Develop new strategies and establish new ways of communicating within the relationship
- Address particular issues such as trust
After completing relationship therapy, partners will better understand their relationship and the patterns it follows. They’ll have learned skills to communicate better and solve problems.
It is important to remember that relationship counselling can be challenging and uncomfortable at times. It’s all about honesty, and it can be hard listening to your partner’s thoughts.
It is also useful to look at ways of changing behaviours, and how you and your partner/partners communicate with each other. Relationship therapists sometimes give partners homework, where partners try using the skills from therapy in everyday interactions with each other.
We recognise that more than two people can be involved in a romantic relationship and welcome consensual non-monogamous/polyamorous clients to Platfform Wellbeing.