Relate - Marriage Guidance

Couple Counselling

Counselling for you and your partner or for you on your own. We can help if you are having problems and want to work them out or if you want to separate, or if your relationship has ended.

Sex Problems Service

Sex therapy for couples and individuals who are experiencing sexual problems in their adult couple relationship.

Consultation and Assessment Services

Couples and individuals can attend single sessions with a Counsellor to address immediate concerns and to assess whether Relates other services would be helpful.

Other services available in many areas:

Mediation

Counselling for young people whose parents may be separating.

Education & training

Relate does not offer legal, financial or medical advice.

How do I get help from Relate?

To find your nearest Relate Centre look in the phone book or Yellow Pages. The Relate Web Site has a map with all of the phone numbers of all their Centres in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. See Web Sites in the right menu for details.

You will be offered an appointment as quickly as possible. If at the end of this appointment it is agreed that Relate counselling or therapy may be helpful, the counsellor will discuss with you at what times you can come on a regular basis, and when this might begin. Appointments are generally available during the day or in the evening.

Don’t leave contacting Relate until the last moment. Help sought early is usually successful.

What happens when I go to Relate for counselling?

Counselling and therapy takes place in Relate’s own private consulting rooms. Once counselling begins, you will normally see the same counsellor each week and the sessions will usually be an hour long. The counsellor will help you identify your major concerns. During counselling discussions will focus on the relationship and its difficulties by exploring feelings, attitudes, values and expectations. The counsellor will aim to offer support with communication between partners, helping them to consider different options and new possibilities. Your counselling will continue for as long as both you and the counsellor feel it is helpful.

Counselling is a private and confidential form of help. This means that they will not give your name or any information about you to anyone outside Relate unless someone’s personal safety is at risk.

Do I have to pay for counselling?

Relate Centres rely on payments from clients to keep their services open to everyone and expect users of the service to pay according to their income. The service provided is not affected by the amount paid. At your first meeting, your counsellor will discuss with you how much you can pay for each session

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Information on this page is current and last updated: 4/2/2012