Relationships


Everyone who is in a relationship or cares about their relationships may need assistance at some time to:

  • Help them deal with problems or difficulties in a relationship.
  • Learn how to form or improve a relationship.
  • Cope with a relationship that has broken down.
  • Help to change a relationship where there is violence and abuse.

In every relationship that is important to us there is conflict at times. Being able to handle conflict and deal with differences is important in establishing and maintaining healthy relationships.

People often get very upset and angry when they see that their partner has different values, beliefs or expectations. We all need to understand and accept that between any two people there will be differences in ideas and expectations and, at times, conflict and strong expression of feelings.

Our relationships actually become stronger if we talk about these differences. We need to find out that differences are always going to be part of the relationship and that issues might have a solution if they are discussed more.

All couples experience problems in one form or another – it is part of sharing your life with another human being. The difference between relationships that work and those that do not is how well couples deal with the challenges and problems they face in their life together. Advice or extra skills can often assist.

Counselling aims to help improve relationships

  • To help the couple understand the relationship they have.
  • To discover why they chose each other in the first place.
  • To find out what they wanted from their relationship and from each other.
  • To understand how they contributed to whatever their relationship has become.
  • To discuss what they feel about each other now.
  • To consider what they are prepared to do to make the relationship work.

Separation / Divorce

Counselling programs also help people who are separating and/or getting divorced to deal with their grief and anger, as well as to let go so that they can move on with a new sense of purpose and optimism. This includes looking at:

  • How relationships change.
  • How to bear with and manage the grief.
  • What the real value of anger is.
  • What real acceptance is and what it enables us to get.
  • Discovering a pathway for your separation.
  • Learning to be "single".
  • Being able to face moving on to a new and sustaining relationship.

Counselling and working through the problems of separation with someone who has no involvement or investment in the outcome can help people get through this difficult time.

In reality many people live perfectly happy, fulfilled lives following a relationship breakdown. Many people choose to re-partner and many do not. There is no right way of being.