Life events such as work pressures, new family commitments, money problems and health difficulties can all burden the relationship. You may have just realised that things aren’t quite like they used to be; or you might already be in the grip of some serious difficulties.
When an important relationship starts losing intimacy or trust, wellbeing can suffer tremendously and insecurity and despair can set in. A couples therapist can help you move towards a new phase in your relationship.
Therapy provides a safe space for both people to be honest about their views, review all the options available to them, reach decisions and may enhance their perspective on the other as well as the relationship.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Couples, families, civil partnerships, cohabiting couples as well as a relationship between two family members, such as mother and son or two siblings. It is not just about people looking to save the relationship.
One or both of the partners may have already decided that the relationship cannot continue. This is not an easy decision to make and may well impact others, such as children, friends and family.
HOW CAN IT HELP ME?
It can help you to:
- Understand how childhood family values and beliefs play out in the current relationship. You may hold different value systems, which neither of you may be fully aware of. You might be making assumptions of each other based on your personal past, which clouds the reality in the present.
- Understand patterns in your emotions, thoughts and behaviour towards each other. Each person will begin to appreciate the origin of their own and each other’s difficulties in contributing to the problem.
- Listen to and be heard by the other. This will help you negotiate better and talk more freely about difficulties.
- If you decide to separate, therapy can help you more fully understand and accept the decision, respect the reasons behind it, negotiate the ending and begin to let go. You may need to work through considerations such as children, property, mutual friends and wishes or necessities to remain in contact.