In some people, this need to form close relationships is suppressed. Typically this might happen when a person has had a poor experience of relationships and fears being hurt again. Getting emotionally close to someone involves vulnerability and trust, which can be frightening.
Others get into relationships that are ultimately harmful to them. For example, they might subconsciously choose partners who take too much from them or are emotionally unavailable.
All of us tend to repeat patterns from one intimate relationship to the next. Relationships are complex and difficult to navigate. Most of us received no teaching about how to be in relationships; we learnt by observing our parents/caregivers and through our own relationships with them. We adopted patterns of relating that we saw them use or that we needed to adopt to cope with them, whether healthy or unhealthy.
If you are in a relationship and the issues you want to address are occurring there, it is probably most beneficial to come as a couple. If that isn’t possible, or if you aren’t in a relationship at the moment, then come on your own – our relationship therapists will be able to help you either way.
If you come as a couple, your counsellor will facilitate discussions between the two of you and will be able to see first hand any problematic dynamics within the relationship. They will help you to understand these and to adopt new ways of relating to each other.
Whether your relationship is gay or straight, monogamous or open, your therapist won’t judge you. Discussions in therapy are confidential.
Our therapists don’t have an agenda to keep the two of you together; that is up to you to decide. If you choose to end your relationship, counselling can help you to do it with clear communication, without attacking each other or causing unnecessary distress to children if you have them.
Some of our relationship therapists are also trained in psychosexual therapy. If sexual issues are a concern for you, you may prefer to see one of them.
The issues we frequently see in relationship therapy include:
Appointments available
Mondays to Fridays
7.30 am until 8.30 pm
Saturdays and Sundays
8.00 am until 6.00 pm
Call to book a first appointment
0333 207 9330
Connect with Us
Starting relationship therapy can be difficult. It means facing up to the problems in your relationship and you (or your partner) may feel scared to do that. Often, couples put off coming to therapy until their relationship has reached a point of crisis, when animosity has built up or one partner has already checked out. Counselling is still helpful at that stage, but it’s better to come to therapy before things reach that point.
If you (or your partner) is resistant to starting therapy, an initial consultation may put your mind at ease. You will see that our therapists are supportive and non-judgmental. We choose our therapists carefully, hiring only those who are warm, empathic and knowledgeable. They create a safe space in which you can share your hurts, worries and hopes. They will help you to understand each other and to feel heard.
There is no obligation to continue with therapy after the initial consultation; it’s your opportunity to decide whether it’s the right thing for you.
You can book your initial consultation online, or contact us here. We want to help.
I’m often struck by the anxiety that I see on the faces of clients when they come to their first couples counselling appointment. They are invariably wondering what’s going to happen. Will they have to reveal things they don’t want to say in front of their partner? Will their…
Read more
Sexual issues are common. Sex taps into many different parts of us: the emotional, the physical, the psychological and even the spiritual. The opportunity for something to go wrong in our sexual wiring is great. Most people will experience some kind of sexual dysfunction at some point in…
Read more
Nina is an integrative psychotherapist who creates a safe, non-judgmental space in which clients feel comfortable to explore their thoughts, feelings and patterns of behaviour Nina recognises that it can be useful to talk to someone outside your circle of friends and family to gain an understanding of your challenges and emotions She helps clients think about their...
Oxford Circus
Gregory is a psychodynamic therapist offering both short-term and long-term therapy He appreciates how difficult it can be to seek help and therefore places great importance on creating a warm, empathic and safe space for clients to explore whatever is on their minds Gregory helps individuals uncover and understand the underlying patterns that shape their lives and...
Oxford Circus
Damla offers a warm, supportive and confidential space where you can talk openly — perhaps for the first time — about the thoughts, emotions and challenges shaping your life She provides psychodynamic psychotherapy, gently exploring the deeper, often unconscious, roots of emotional difficulties Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck in unhelpful patterns, or...
Oxford Circus
Faith has two appointments available on Wednesday mornings Faith is a skilled and thoughtful psychodynamic counsellor with a postgraduate training from Oxford University She is passionate about creating a safe, non-judgemental and supportive therapeutic environment where clients can explore their most difficult experiences or parts of themselves Working at a pace that...
Oxford Circus
Yussef is a psychodynamic psychotherapist who offers both long and short term personal therapy to individuals He has experience of working with a diverse range of clients and can provide a warm, confidential space to explore and gain insight into any past or present personal difficulties and experiences Yussef works with issues such as anxiety, depression, loss,...
Oxford Circus
A senior therapist, Stamatia has been with One Therapy London for many years She holds a doctorate in counselling psychology and is a registered psychotherapist Stamatia knows it can be difficult to understand or cope with the strong feelings that life’s experiences can sometimes bring Talking with an experienced therapist is a way of thinking things through and...
Bloomsbury
Michelle is an accredited psychodynamic therapist who works with individuals and couples She provides a calm and confidential space to allow clients to feel heard and understood Michelle has particular experience working with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, unresolved trauma, addiction, bereavement and loss Michelle also works with clients with...
Oxford Circus
Evan is a psychodynamic therapist, offering both long and short term therapy He creates a non-judgemental and reflective space to help clients explore their difficulties and concerns Working together to understand the connections between past and current relationships, Evan supports clients in developing a deeper awareness of their recurring emotional patterns and further...
Oxford Circus
Janis offers an empathic, non-judgmental and safe environment where her clients can explore the issues that are currently troubling them Janis works collaboratively to explore and challenge thoughts, feelings and behaviours that are no longer serving her clients’ wellbeing, interests and relationships with themselves and others She believes it is through the...
Oxford Circus
Antonella is a psychodynamic therapist offering short- and long-term therapy to adults She also sees couples facing issues within their relationship Since obtaining her Master’s degree in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy, Antonella has worked in different organisational settings (charities, NHS and university counselling services) helping people from...
Bloomsbury
Contact Us
One Therapy London
20 Great Portland Street
London W1W 8QR
0333 207 9330
© 2006-2024 One Therapy Limited
Company number: 11926181
