Wendy | Counsellor

Relationship Counselling Stockton-On-Tees

I work with couples ONLINE, FACE TO FACE (IN PERSON) to help resolve a current problem, prevent problems from worsening or to provide a 'check up' for couples.

Couples therapy provides a safe and supportive space to think about and explore any issues you may have.

The aim is not to point the finger and blame, but to help both parties reconnect emotionally – to listen to their partner differently, learn to communicate more effectively and create, a happier and healthier relationship.

Who Should Consider Couples Therapy?

It’s for all couples of all ages and at all stages of their relationship not just for those in crisis.

Therapy for couples can resolve a current problem, prevent problems from worsening, or provide a “check-up” for a happy couple experiencing a period of transition or increased stress. 

What happens in a couple’s therapy session?

The therapist looks at each person and how their role in the relationship, difficulties, need and wants affects each other and the couple.

A therapist is always a neutral party.

Couples therapy can be a powerful way to change the course of your relationship so both partners can be happier in the relationship.

What problems can couples therapy help with?

Couples bring a wide range of issues to counselling, from lack of intimacy and communication breakdown to trust, jealousy and infidelity issues. Family conflicts and difficult life transitions can cause problems within a relationship, as can work-related stress or financial problems.

What couples therapy can't do

• Counselling isn’t a magic bullet that will solve a couple’s relationship problems.
• Counselling can help you understand yourself and others better, and offer tools and guidance, but it can’t change a person or a relationship if people aren’t ready to put in the effort and commitment.
• A therapist can guide and help you, but it’s the couple who must do the hard work.
• For some couples, the safest and healthiest option may be for them to separate. And couples counselling can be an important part of the process.

These are some of the benefits couples therapy can offer:

Understand each other better: Couples therapy can help you understand yourself and your partner better. 

Identify relationship issues: Your therapist can help you and your partner identify issues that are leading to recurring conflicts, lack of trust.

Improve communication skills: Therapy can help you and your partner communicate with each other. 

Resolve conflicts: Your therapist can help you and your partner work through your issues and resolve them.

Why do couples delay coming to therapy?

Couples often wait to try therapy until the relationship is severely damaged/or it seems too late.There are many reasons why people might put off getting therapy. For example:

• Believe couples therapy is only beneficial for severe issues such as infidelity or addiction.
• View it as a last-ditch effort before deciding to end the relationship.
• Be afraid of the therapist “taking sides”.
• Think it’s a way to force their partner to change because “they are the problem”.