Family Counselling

Many families have arguments and experience difficult times. Often these periods tend to sort themselves out. Sometimes help is required. At Relate we believe all families are unique and each family has its own individual set of difficulties. Every member of the family is valued and has a chance to express how they’re feeling.

Big changes in a family can cause stress for everyone. Divorce or separation doesn’t just affect the adults in a relationship – it can affect the way children view relationships for life.

Long running disputes can cause pain to the whole family, making it difficult or impossible to live under the same roof, and the problems one person may be going through can impact on other family members.

If your family is having problems, you can see one of our Family Counsellors individually, as a small group or the whole family together to help you work things out in a way that is best for everyone. Our counsellors are experienced relationship experts and are specially trained to work with families to help them resolve their problems.

What can I expect from this service?

Every family member can expect to have a voice and be heard within family counselling. Relate family counsellors help everyone to say how they are feeling and then to work out their differences. Your first appointment is an initial consultation with a counsellor where you will be asked some questions about your family and the problems you want to address.

How will it benefit me?

Family counselling benefits the whole family by helping everyone to express how they are. Family counselling can help reduce conflict which means fewer rows at home and can help everyone cope better with their situation.

View our FAQs on Family Counselling.

Our central website has information on the following common problems. Simply click on the links to find out more.

• All our children have left home and we don't seem to have anything to talk about
• Coping with a new baby
• Coping with our disruptive teenagers
• I love my partner but am having trouble getting on with my step-children
• Life/Work balance
• My partner and I are separating. I'm worried that our kids are going to suffer. I want to sort things out with my partner so at least, we can carry on being good parents

"Ruth came to see Relate with her son Alex 11, and her daughter Kimberley aged 7. Her son had been fighting at school and as a result was excluded."

Read about Ruth, Alex and Kimberley, and their experience with Relate.

Our central Relate website has a range of books available to purchase, specifically aimed at parents / families.

View the range of books currently available.