Relationship therapy: Replacing tension with tenderness
What brings couples into relationship therapy?
Even with the very best of intentions to resolve their problems, couples don’t always have the specific skills to work things through to a resolution. That’s where I come in.
Many of my clients are at the point of despair – communication has broken down, trust has eroded, and sex is non-existent. Other couples are fundamentally strong but are facing a specific crisis and want the guidance and support of a professional.
Relationship therapy helps with a variety of issues
We are all unique, and our relationships are, too. Yet we all share the same fundamental
challenges, including:
- Not being able to communicate or listen effectively
- Managing anger and conflict resolution
- Feeling that there is an enemy in the house, evident via fighting and anger problems, including verbal abuse
- Not feeling connected, close and supported
- Feeling that you aren’t loved, or are taken for granted
- Sexual and intimacy issues
- Pornography and other forms of addiction
- Chaotic household, identity, gender and/or role conflict
- When one of you has more say than the other, providing an imbalance of power
- Controlling, abusive relationships
- Religion, ethics and values
- Issues and difficulties with how you parent your children
- Jealousy, cheating and infidelity
- Money and finances
- Family and in-law struggles, as well as blended and step-family struggles
- Your own problems from childhood
- Challenges with having a baby, IVF and adoption,and much more.
The good news is that even though each relationship faces its own set of unique challenges, with the right tools and in the right environment we are well-equipped to win the battle for love.
A Safe Place
Share your deepest and most private secrets in a supportive, non-judgemental environment that focuses on the evidence – not opinion or speculation.
A practical approach
Understand the signals that are damaging your relationship, and
identify practical ways to manage them
A brave step forward
Learn to trust yourself and one another – take emotional risks, address the fear, and create a better world for yourself and those you love.
What should we expect in relationship therapy?
Almost all couples think that if only their partner would change, then the relationship would work or be what it used to be. But it’s not a one-sided issue.
Relationship therapy is a team effort where both of you will benefit from education, awareness and communication. Individual therapy can also be used to support your relationship goals.
Stage One – The affirmation
The first three sessions with me can be likened to a doctor completing a thorough diagnosis before treatment. Each of you completes a confidential online assessment that takes approximately two hours.
From this assessment, a strengths-based report is generated that provides a non-biased summary of your relationship based on the evidence provided. We then undertake an individual and a couple interview before agreeing on a way forward.
Stage Two – The desire map
We design a map to guide you towards a happy, lasting and stronger relationship. This is called an Intervention Plan where your shared relationship goals, unique to you, are
captured.
Stage Three – The journey
Together we meet for a series of sessions that run for between eight and 16 weeks(some couples take longer; it has taken time to create the state of the relationship, and it can take time to repair it). You’ll open the dialogue about relationship challenges, and I act as a coach, guide and mediator to keep you on track while we work through those challenges and examine the principles for lasting, happy relationships.
There are many ways of getting strong. Sometimes talking is the best way.
If your relationship has lost its way, communication is threadbare and intimacy is non-existent, I’m here to help.
Talk to me today – regardless of the source of your conflict, we’ll find the friendship you fear you have lost.