Major life events, communication issues with family, friends and work colleagues, money worries, parenting struggles and the challenges of maintaining a happy relationship are some of the reasons for seeking relationship counselling. 

But a relationship doesn’t have to be in crisis before you pursue counselling. For some, counselling is a means by which they can prevent issues from growing.

It can support you with small or major relationship issues that are troubling you and can help improve the way you relate to those around you and allow you to break free from old patterns of behaviour.

In all our relationships, verbal, physical or written, skills are needed to connect, to understand different points of view and to offer support. Counselling will give a wider understanding of how relationship quality impacts our health and wellbeing.

Self-awareness is key as only then will you be able to notice when your buttons are being pressed and find a way to manage it. Recognising and thinking about what’s being triggered will help to manage situations which have the potential to produce conflict.

The most productive conversations happen when people have an objective discussion rather than just taking the opportunity to complain.

You must be prepared to change yourself rather than just hope the other person will change.

This is much more helpful than reacting and blaming someone else

Counselling can provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment to help identify issues or problems in a relationship and find a way through those difficulties. Some decide on counselling when considering separation, while others seek support to strengthen their bond.