Couples Counselling

Do I need couples counselling?

Couples seeking therapy for relationship issues normally have one or more problems in the following areas:

• Intimacy
• Trust
• Communication
• Respect
• Sex
• Parenting

Seeking support and speaking with somebody outside of your relationship is helpful because a counsellor can look at the problems you are both facing from a neutral perspective, without taking sides, or making any judgements.

Relationship and couples therapy is not restricted to those in pursuit of a happy loving relationship, we sometimes help couples separate amicably, support friends not getting along, or work related relationship issues.

What to expect from couples counselling

Initially when you contact us you will be given a choice of either male or female therapist, depending on your personal preference. We also offer a two with two couples service (one female, one male). For heterosexual couples for example, this helps to balance a male-female element where sometimes one of the couple feels unsupported due to the sex of the therapist. Otherwise having two therapists brings an element of modelling to the counselling and allows opportunity for example role play.

The first session will be free and will involve an initial assessment. This first session will give us the opportunity to gather some basic information about you and your presenting issues,and it will also give you the opportunity to ask us any questions. We will make recommendations on whether couples counselling is needed or appropriate for the issues that you are bringing, and establish if both parties have ‘good will’ to work on the relationship, for example when one party does not want to resolve the issue, or wants something completely different to the other person – in these cases we often recommend individual one to one psychotherapy.

Couples counselling sessions are normally normally around 60 – 90 minutes on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

What is the difference between individual and couples counselling?

The main difference is what is focussed on in the work we do together – we focus on what each person brings to the relationship, and the relationship as a whole, rather than on individual personal issues where there is a high risk of exposure and shame.

Sometimes it becomes clear that personal individual work is needed over and above any couples work, at which point we will recommend that either the couples work is placed on hold, or that individual sessions would be more helpful overall.

Value and Worth

Our psychotherapy and counselling fees reflect the experience level of our counsellors and psychotherapists, their ongoing professional costs, as well as the here-an-now reality of the current financial climate, and Cornwall’s geographical location. Depending on your circumstances we can, and do offer consessionary rates, these are usually discussed and agreed on at your first session. This mutual agreement is based on self-worth and self-value for both you and your therapist, and in most cases any consessionary rates agreed upon will be reviewed every six sessions. You can find our fees near the top right of this page.

A NOTE ABOUT PAYMENT…

When you book an appointment we will ask you to pay for this in advance. We do not ask for any block payments, and you will only pay for each session that you book with us.

As already mentioned, the first session is free, however if you do not turn up to this, the second booked appointment will be chargeable in advance.

A NOTE ABOUT CANCELLATIONS…

When you book and pay for an appointment you are booking a slot/space for the session as a couple; payment falls due whether you attend your session or not (at our discretion).

Sending us an email or a text message is not an appropriate way to cancel your appointment; we cannot guarantee that we will receive it in time. Please contact us directly by telephone.

A NOTE ABOUT TIMEKEEPING…

If you turn up too early you may bump into another client/s leaving his/her session, and if you turn up late you may miss out on having your full session time, so we recommend that you keep as close to your booked time as possible.

A NOTE ABOUT ENDINGS…

Having closure is very important to the whole therapeutic process, and often can be missed out, as some individuals find endings difficult. So when you are both ready to end your therapy you will be encouraged to book in a final session, this session is for self-reflection and reflection on your relationship, to review any changes you both have made, to celebrate your progress, to reinforce any new decisions, and of course for us all to say goodbye. By having an ending, you will be respecting both yourselves and your therapist.

Some couples have closure to their therapy and choose to come in for some ‘top up’ sessions when they feel they need some extra support, this kind of arrangement can be discussed at the ending session, and usually does not interfere with any closures that are made during this time.

HOW CAN I CONTACT YOU?

We have made a point of not working ordinary hours, so you can contact us evenings and weekends as well as during the day. Details of our availability are near the top right of this page.