How we help

Relate doesn't aim to keep marriages together at any cost. Our professionally-trained counsellors will help you make the decisions that are right for you.

What is counselling? Counselling offers a chance to explore your problems in depth and gain an understanding of the root causes. This will help you become aware of the choices available and we will then work with you as you begin to make these changes.

Who's eligible? Counselling is available to you as a couple, or on your own – you may be surprised how helpful coming to see us alone is.  And your partner can always join us later.

Getting started: Your first step is to come along for an initial one-hour interview as quickly as we can organise it, normally within two weeks.We will talk through your problems, offer some help and discuss whether further counselling could help. Then if you and the counsellor decide  counselling is appropriate, sessions will normally begin within a few weeks.

The time, the place: We will discuss together at what times you can come on a regular basis, and when counselling might begin. There might be a slight delay if you choose a popular time of day or evening.

When does it end? Counselling normally takes place once a week, for an hour. You will see the same person each time and sessions continue for as long as you and the counsellor feel is helpful

All counsellors are trained in helping with sexual difficulties, so in general, issues about sex are dealt with as part of our mainstream counselling. However, we have specially-trained sex therapists and provide sex therapy for couples who might benefit from addressing specific problems.