Relationship Issues &
Couples Counselling
WHY CAN RELATIONSHIPS BE SO CHALLENGING?
Improving relationship with others is a significant area that people seek counselling for. Whether it is conflict, communication problems, or general dysfunction, all humans encounter challenges within relationships at some point in life. Humans are built with a natural inclination to connect with others and how we do this is based on how we are programmed in the first seven years of life. Of course we all learn and grow in this area throughout life, but that foundation can be the cause of many malalignments with others in relationship who had different foundational programming than us (which is pretty much everyone). So it is not a surprise that many people experience challenges within relationship, whether it's with parents, siblings, other family members, friends or romantic partners.
WHAT IS COUPLES COUNSELLING?
Many couples experience periods of change in their relationship, as they move through phases of life, personal growth, or face various life challenges. Couples can come to counselling at the brink of separation or they can do it as a preventative measure to optimize how their relationship is working.
The most common issue presenting with couples in counselling, even if the core issue is very specific, is communication breakdown. Couples counselling usually starts with understanding how each counterpart communicates, why that is, and looks to optimize this. Sessions can consist of the Counsellor mediating conversations between the couple, in a safe and supported environment for both parties. The Counsellor can work to find common ground between the couple and using an educated, neutral, third party perspective, bring insight and resolution to the problem(s). Often during the couples counselling process, there is a need for individual counselling too. The couples Counsellor can see both parties individually and bring it back to couples sessions throughout, or refer out to another Counsellor to take on the role of individual sessions.
CAUSES OF RELATIONSHIP BREAKDOWN
Aside from the style, dysfunction, communication or emotional connection in one's childhood upbringing, there are experiences in life that can impact how we relate with others. In addition, our world is becoming increasingly digitized (especially since the 2020-2022 pandemic lockdowns) - people can become very isolated and wrapped up in the digital world, giving less to the relationships in their lives, and community connection. As a result, people can be more likely to experience mental health issues and subsequent relationship breakdown. Here are some of the most common relationship issues that can prompt counselling:
Improving relationship with others is a significant area that people seek counselling for. Whether it is conflict, communication problems, or general dysfunction, all humans encounter challenges within relationships at some point in life. Humans are built with a natural inclination to connect with others and how we do this is based on how we are programmed in the first seven years of life. Of course we all learn and grow in this area throughout life, but that foundation can be the cause of many malalignments with others in relationship who had different foundational programming than us (which is pretty much everyone). So it is not a surprise that many people experience challenges within relationship, whether it's with parents, siblings, other family members, friends or romantic partners.
WHAT IS COUPLES COUNSELLING?
Many couples experience periods of change in their relationship, as they move through phases of life, personal growth, or face various life challenges. Couples can come to counselling at the brink of separation or they can do it as a preventative measure to optimize how their relationship is working.
The most common issue presenting with couples in counselling, even if the core issue is very specific, is communication breakdown. Couples counselling usually starts with understanding how each counterpart communicates, why that is, and looks to optimize this. Sessions can consist of the Counsellor mediating conversations between the couple, in a safe and supported environment for both parties. The Counsellor can work to find common ground between the couple and using an educated, neutral, third party perspective, bring insight and resolution to the problem(s). Often during the couples counselling process, there is a need for individual counselling too. The couples Counsellor can see both parties individually and bring it back to couples sessions throughout, or refer out to another Counsellor to take on the role of individual sessions.
CAUSES OF RELATIONSHIP BREAKDOWN
Aside from the style, dysfunction, communication or emotional connection in one's childhood upbringing, there are experiences in life that can impact how we relate with others. In addition, our world is becoming increasingly digitized (especially since the 2020-2022 pandemic lockdowns) - people can become very isolated and wrapped up in the digital world, giving less to the relationships in their lives, and community connection. As a result, people can be more likely to experience mental health issues and subsequent relationship breakdown. Here are some of the most common relationship issues that can prompt counselling:
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HOW TO GET HELP
If you are looking for individual counselling, this can take place in-person or online and it is proven to be just as effective either way. Couples counselling can also take place effectively either in-person or virtually online. It is largely dependant on the couple's personal preferences. Couples work is a specialized area of counselling, so it is important to find someone who has knowledge of this field.
FreeMind Therapy offers virtual couples counselling and individual relationship counselling. For couples, the two parties come together in a room, and sit a distance from the screen so that their upper body/body language is visible. There is an option to have each person on their own screen (like a group zoom call) if this is needed, but it is recommended that the couple be physically together during the session if at all possible.
The first step is to book a consultation with either one or both parties. Click here for more information or to schedule a phone consultation with one of our therapists, click here!