Relationship Counselling for Couples and Families
Do you need couples counselling?
I offer couples counselling to suit your needs. I use a similar structure to organisations providing relationship counselling or therapy, such as Relate.
During an initial session or sessions I aim to gain an overview of key areas of therapeutic work based on the issues, experiences, needs and hopes expressed by both parties.
I offer the potential for individual counselling of each party if this is felt useful. Relationship counselling can have a particular focus, e.g. sexual dynamics, or be orientated to improving the relationship as a whole. It can evolve in ways not anticipated to begin with, as is the case for individual counselling.
Person-Centred Approach to Relationship Counselling
I use a Person-Centred Approach to relationship counselling, in which I support you to work out our own needs, develop your own relational self-analyses and potential solutions.
I support partners to enhance their listening and deepen their understanding of each other, encouraging implementation of active listening and non-violent communication.
Some couples come to relationship counselling to work out if they are going to remain together or separate. Others use relationship counselling to support a constructive process of separation, which may include organisational issues around childcare and how to communicate plans and changes with children.
Lesbian and Gay Relationship Counselling
My commitment is to provide absolute respect for the identities and relationship preferences of all, and this was rooted in my family upbringing.
My mother was a feminist activist who promoted women in medicine, and my father a non-conformist minister who performed the UK's first gay union and facilitated inter-faith services.
My length of practice in Hebden Bridge, with its culture of pride in sexual diversity, has enhanced my ability to provide relationship counselling for lesbian and gay couples.
I have also worked with transsexual, transgender and non-binary clients.
Polyamorous Relationship Counselling
I have developed interest and experience in counselling individuals, couples and groups practicing consensual non-monogamy. This followed my earlier post-graduate research in power dynamics in intimate relationships.
Family Counselling and Family Therapy
I provide family counselling and therapy based on couples' exploration of needs at their initial session. I provide all the necessary information and forms enabling parents to consent for their children to participate.
Please note I only provide relationship counselling for couples and families in my Hebden Bridge practice.