The early sessions are exploratory. Initially, we will identify a list of your problem(s) that you want to address. Alongside this, we will develop realistic goals you would like to achieve; these are flexible and reviewed regularly. We will look at each partner’s thoughts and beliefs, childhood, and attachment styles to understand the link to your behaviours towards each other.  This helps to conceptualise how your relationship difficulties have developed and what is maintaining those difficulties.
 

Your therapist will then move onto teaching communication skills that we use as a framework to work through each issue you have brought to therapy. At this point the sessions will become more practical.
 

Therapy can help a couple to: step back from their difficulties and consider alternative and healthier ways to deal with their problems; relieve stress and improve communication difficulties; manage feelings and conflicts; solve problems, make decisions together and promote acceptance. You will learn strategies to: regulate emotional experience and expression; address your physical relationship, revise perceptions and increase caring behaviours and support.