Sea Change Counselling provides relationship counselling for couples, family members and workplace relationships. To arrange an appointment, please contact Carolyn Gillan for relationship counselling in Plymouth.

What is relationship counselling?

People generally come to relationship counselling when they have tried everything else without success. Ideally, it is better to seek counselling before the problem escalates and resentment and bitterness has built up. As they say, “A stitch in time, saves nine.” Nevertheless, where there is a will to do so, many problems can be overcome regardless of how long they have been hanging around.

Couple counselling

It is worth mentioning that couple counselling is not always about helping the relationship to survive. The outcome normally falls into one of three categories:

1. •Change it Both partners make changes that make their relationship better.
   

2. •Lump it Change is not possible but both agree there is enough good within the relationship to stay together.
   

3. •Leave it One or both partners cannot or will not change and the relationship is unsustainable. In this instance, counselling helps partners to separate in the least painful way possible.
   

Common relationship problems

1. •You have problems trusting the other person
   

2. •You have constant arguments that go round in circles and never seem to get resolved
   

3. •You feel taken advantage of and resentful in the relationship
   

4. •You have different values and beliefs about how things should be
   

5. •You feel as though you have drifted apart and have nothing in common anymore
   

6. •You seem to want different things from life
   

If any of the above sound familiar, relationship counselling may be of help. If you would like to arrange an appointment, please contact Carolyn Gillan at Sea Change Counselling Plymouth.

Getting the most out of relationship counselling

Relationship counselling is most effective when both partners are actively committed to resolving the problems together. Facing up to these problems, sharing your thoughts and feelings honestly about them and working to resolve them will take courage, effort, determination and confidence.

Are there any risks in relationship counselling?

Relationship counselling can evoke a wide range of thoughts, feelings and reactions, some of which will be positive and some negative. This is a natural part of the process. You are likely to gain some insights about yourselves and your relationship that may initially feel uncomfortable, equally you are likely to learn things that are encouraging and that strengthen your relationship. In couple counselling you may reach the decision that the relationship cannot be saved.

How long does relationship counselling take?

Each session lasts one hour. The number of sessions required depends upon you and the nature of your problems. Work on specific problems may take only a few weekly sessions, whereas deep-rooted problems may take several months.

Confidentiality

With limited exceptions, everything you discuss in counselling is confidential and will not be disclosed without your prior consent.

In the following specific circumstances, however, there may be a requirement to disclose information without your consent:

1. •where there is a risk of harm to yourself or others;
   

2. •under the Prevention of Terrorism Act;
   

3. •under subpoena or summons as a witness in a law court.
   

In the event of any of these circumstances, every effort will be made to discuss any disclosure of information prior to doing so.