Relationships are the fabric of daily life, yet even strong bonds can fray under stress, misunderstandings, or unmet needs.
Whether you are navigating romantic, family, or friendship dynamics, counselling provides a supportive space to articulate what feels off and experiment with new ways of relating.
How relationship patterns show up
- Arguments that loop back to the same unresolved topics.
- Feeling unheard or dismissed when you try to explain your needs.
- Withdrawing to keep the peace, only to feel lonely or resentful.
- Struggling with intimacy after trust has been broken.
- Balancing cultural, neurodivergent, or relational differences within blended families or partnerships.
- Navigating polyamorous or consensually open and non-monogamous agreements that feel out of sync.
Why communication can feel so hard to shift
Many of us learned unspoken rules about conflict, affection, and vulnerability in childhood or past relationships. These protective strategies can make it difficult to take risks with the people we care about.
When defensiveness or shame shows up, conversations shut down.
Without guided support, couples, families, and individuals often repeat patterns even when they desperately want change.
How counselling supports more connected relationships
We use the therapeutic space to slow conversations, notice triggers, and develop language that reflects your needs.
Therapy is not about assigning blame; it is about understanding what each person is protecting and finding repair. Sessions happen weekly at the same time, offering continuity as you practise new skills between meetings if you choose.
Approaches tailored to your relationships
- Pluralistic therapy to adapt the process for individuals, couples, or polycules.
- Attachment-informed work to understand how early experiences influence communication styles.
- Emotionally focused strategies to help you identify and express core feelings before escalation.
- Narrative techniques to reframe stuck stories about yourself or your relationship.
Support for men navigating relationship expectations
Men are frequently encouraged to stay strong and solution-focused, which can leave little room to name hurt or fear. In therapy we explore how to communicate needs without feeling criticised, how to repair after missteps, and how to share emotional labour fairly.
Inclusive space for LGBTQ+ relationships and families
Queer and trans relationships often face additional layers such as minority stress, chosen family dynamics, or uneven legal recognition. I offer an affirming environment where you can discuss intimacy, co-parenting, or community relationships without needing to educate your therapist.
Relationship counselling FAQs
Do you give communication exercises to do at home?
I do not assign compulsory homework, though we might agree on experiments to try if that feels helpful. Your weekly session remains the primary container for the work.
Is online therapy effective for relationship issues?
Many people find video sessions useful you can join from a familiar environment. But as with any type of therapy, effectiveness depends on what you need and how you use the space.
Can we explore non-traditional relationship structures?
I regularly work with clients in queer, polyamorous, and other non-traditional configurations. We focus on consent, communication, and agreements that align with your values, without assuming any specific outcome.
Next steps
Book a consultation to share what is happening in your relationships. We will discuss your hopes, agree how therapy could support them, and set a consistent weekly time if we choose to work together.