Relationship Counselling

Whatever the stresses and strains on your relationship, counselling can offer a way forward. Relate counsellors work with almost 100,000 couples and individuals per year. Counsellors don't judge but they do listen, and they can help you make a difference to your relationship.

Relate counselling is available to all - you don't have to be married or even living together to take advantage of our confidential service.

Perhaps a relationship has ended and you are aware of repeating problems and issues, perhaps you are starting a new relationship and want to explore its boundaries. Maybe your relationship feels stale and boring, why not explore some changes that could bring back the intimacy and fun in your life.

It is amazing how talking and listening can help you and your partner understand yourselves and each other better, then you can go on to addressing your own and each other's needs without resentment or conditions. What do you have to lose by not doing it?

What can I expect from this service?

Relate counsellors provide a caring and supportive environment to help you find a way through any difficulties you may be facing.

Once you have made an appointment you will be seen by a trained counsellor who will ask some questions about you and your partner, your relationship and what you hope to get out of your contact with Relate.

How will it benefit me?

It really depends what you want to get out of the counselling, but it is rare that you will leave Relate without feeling a positive change. For some people we transform their relationships and their lives; for others we help them solve a specific problem and move forward with more confidence and less anxiety.

View our FAQs on Relationship Counselling.

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

• Coping with a new baby
• How can we cope with the aftermath of an affair?
• I can't seem to stop arguing with my partner. What can we do?
• I've discovered my partner is having an affair, what do I do?
• I've had an affair, how do I tell my partner?
• Life/Work balance
• My partner and I have a large age gap between us
• My partner and I just don't seem to talk any more - it feels as if we've drifted apart
• Self-esteem
• The internet and our relationship
• The menopause is affecting our relationship, how do I talk to my partner?

Separation / Divorce

• How do I move on after divorce?
• I have lost contact with my children, how do I cope with this?
• 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
• Self-esteem
• We're separating, what now?

"Relate counselling helped us to face up to what was wrong. If we had let things go on as they were, we might have soured the relationship for good."

Read about Jennifer and Dexter and their experience with Relate.

Our central Relate website has a range of books available to purchase, specifically aimed at couples and single people.

View the range of books currently available.