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See also: Counselling for Individuals.
Couples counselling may be suitable for couples who find themselves in conflict; unable to negotiate their own way out of their stuck situation(s) and problems. Couples counselling can help a couple negotiate new ways of staying together – or help a couple to negotiate how to separate too.
Dean Richardson has worked in counselling services for over ten years, and started his own private practice in 2009. As an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy he offers couple counselling to all forms of couples: married, common-law partnerships, mixed-race partnerships, civil partnerships, boyfriend/girlfriend, gay couples, lesbian couples, mixed-transgender couples and all forms of mixed sexuality/gender couples.
In therapy, Dean and the couple will work together using systemic and psychodynamic therapeutic techniques – which, through the counsellor’s interventions, are intended to help a couple learn more about how their relationship works … beyond that of the couple’s beliefs and self-observation. From newly gained knowledge the couple can begin to think about (hypothesise) what might be going on that keeps their relationship in conflict. From this knowledge a couple can then make creative choices about what changes to make in their relationship.
Couples counselling begins with a 4 session assessment (meet together, meet with one partner, then the other, then together to discuss & agree the focus of the work) spread over 4 weeks. Sometimes the assessment sessions are sufficient to unstick a couple so that they may work on their own on their problems. Sometimes the assessment sessions lead onto longer term couples counselling.
See also: [Fees] / [Arrange an Appointment].
Related Articles.
About An Assessment Session for Couples
This post discusses the assessment process for couples – prior to couples going into counselling therapy. Counselling Methodology: Psychodynamic Counselling Methodology, Systemic Counselling Methodology Read More »
What could Couples Counselling help with? (article)
The couples counsellor does not attempt to “fix” the relationship but takes on a role of being curious towards the relationship, learning about how things work and how things came to be. In this way the couple may learn information that helps them change their relationship. Counselling Methodology: Psychodynamic Counselling Methodology, Systemic... Read More »
Couples Counselling Workshop – “1001 Interventions” – 6 November 2010
Couples Workshop – this experiential workshop is open to all qualified counsellors – whether or not you work with couples – who are interested in practising reflexive thought when preparing an intervention for a couple in counselling. Counselling Methodology: Psychodynamic Counselling Methodology,... Read More »
Counselling for Couples after an HIV Diagnosis
An HIV positive diagnosis can have a major impact on a relationship – regardless of the couple being gay, lesbian, straight or other variations. Couples counselling can help a couple re-negotiate their relationship after an HIV diagnosis. Counselling Methodology: Integrative Counselling Methodology, Psychodynamic Counselling Methodology, Systemic... Read More »
Finding and evaluating a counsellor / psychotherapist
Straightforward advice on finding a suitable therapist and what things to look for & ask about. Read More »
Where you can meet with Dean Richardson for private counselling
Dean Richardson’s private counselling practice currently covers two major areas in the south of England: Portsmouth, Hampshire and Chichester, West Sussex. Read about location, travel instructions and appointment times. Read More »
Some of the Aims of Couples Counselling (systemic / psychodynamic)
A brief overview describing some of the major aims of systemic- and psychodynamic-based couples counselling. Counselling Methodology: Psychodynamic Counselling Methodology, Systemic Counselling Methodology Read More »
Do Counsellors “Cure” Homosexuality?
“Given the evidence against them, why do one in six therapists still see fit to offer gay clients treatments that aim to make them straight?” Read More »
Can Couple Counselling help Couples to Separate?
It can be a common misunderstanding that couple counselling is meant to prevent a couple from separating. Couples counselling can assist a couple to in separating whether this is decided at the start of therapy or if such a decision is made during counselling. Counselling Methodology: Psychodynamic Counselling Methodology, Systemic Counselling Methodology Read More »
What could Counselling help with? (article)
This is not an exhaustive list, but this post lists some of the problems that clients have brought to my psychodynamic counselling/psychotherapy practice over the years: Affairs. Anger (investigating triggers, managing responses, anger management etc). Anxiety. Bereavement and loss. Bullying. Career options. Concerns about academic matters. Critical Incident... Read More »
Frequently Asked Questions on Counselling (article)
This post discusses some of the more common questions asked about counselling. Please use the comments section to ask questions that are not answered here. Read More »
