Intimacy may be emotional as well as sexual and intimacy, for some people, is difficult. Getting emotionally close to someone involves a great level of trust. Intimacy requires a person to be both separate (an individual) and together (as part of an intimate relationship).
Relationships usually involve some level of interdependence. In other words, the people in a relationship usually influence each other and depend on each other in varying ways. Because of this interdependence, things that change or affect one person in a relationship will almost always have an impact on the other person.
Our personal relationships also have a great impact on who we are individually. It has been suggested that a person’s self-concept is defined by the relationships he has with others. Who we choose to enter into relationships with, how we form partnerships with others and how we manage conflicts within those relationships plays a significant role in the success of our close personal relationships.
For many years, relationship therapy has provided a safe space in which couples can resolve their relationship problems. Both partners can share their hurts, worries and hopes for the relationship in a controlled, structured environment. An experienced couples therapist facilitates theses discussions and helps identify any problematic dynamics within the relationship.
Couples who are experiencing problems in their sex life may also find sessions with a psychosexual therapist useful. Some of our couples therapists are also qualified as psychosexual therapists.
Just as in individual counselling and psychotherapy, discussions in couples therapy are always confidential.
It is a misconception that people only seek counselling for relationship problems within intimate, sexual partnerships. While couples are the most likely clients for relationship therapy, people sometimes seek help for relationship problems within families, within friendships or with colleagues.
Sometimes individuals seek personal counselling for help with any relationship or intimacy issues they might be having. Individual therapy can be useful in helping someone identify problematic relationship patterns or intimacy issues, in the hope of having more satisfying relationships in the future.
Overall, relationship therapy can help both couples and individuals with relationship, sex or intimacy issues.
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
In recent years, trends in human relationships have been changing. As people grow more independent and financially self-sufficient, traditional relationships have altered. In 2008, the number of marriages registered in England and Wales was 232,990 – the lowest number since 1895 (228,204). Many people’s lives now consist of several significant relationships rather than ‘one for life.’ The number of weddings in the UK has also been declining from a peak in 1972.
The Civil Partnership Act came into force in December 2005 allowing same-sex couples to obtain legal recognition of their relationship. Opposite-sex couples can now also join in civil partnerships.
These statistics do not necessarily indicate that relationships are less important to people. In fact, they could suggest that relationships are more important as people seek to seek fulfilment through relationships with more than one partner.
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…
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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 moreOur personal counselling services take place in a supportive, non-judgemental atmosphere.
Read moreCouples counselling provides space for couples to discuss problems in their relationship and find resolution.
Read moreOur therapists bring a wealth of experience and training to the therapy services we provide.
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Amrita works with adults in an integrative way, drawing on various therapeutic approaches tailored to meet the needs of each client She provides a safe space to help clients better understand themselves She offers short term and long term therapy Amrita has experience of working with clients on issues such as trauma, addiction, depression, anxiety, relationship...
Bloomsbury
With a Masters degree in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, Annie offers both short and long term, open-ended therapy to individuals Her experience includes depression, stress and anxiety, bereavement, loss, personal development and trauma Annie has additional, specialist training working with survivors of rape, and adult and childhood sexual...
Soho
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 Therapy & Counselling, Antonella has worked in different organisational settings (charities, NHS and university counselling services) helping people from diverse...
Bloomsbury
Kensington
Barbara brings a warm, non-judgmental, and accepting attitude to her work with clients As an integrative Psychotherapist, she draws from a range of theoretical perspectives which allows her to tailor therapy to the needs of the client Barbara thinks that healing and individual growth happen when difficulties in living are explored with empathy, and the client's unique...
Fitzrovia
Barbara is an accredited member of BACP, holding an MSc in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and adhering to the BACP ethical framework Her approach is open-ended, offering both short-term and long-term therapy Barbara has also trained in Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT), a short-term (16 sessions), semi-structured individual therapy developed for mood...
Oxford Circus
Ben believes that at times we all struggle with the challenges life has to offer and therapy provides a safe, confidential, non-judgemental space to explore this Ben works with individuals to make sense of who they are and how they respond to the world today, and to explore new ways of being Ben is also sensitive to how difficult it might be for a client to talk to a...
Oxford Circus
Ben is an experienced psychotherapist who has helped many people through difficult times in their lives He works with clients with a wide range of personal issues around depression, anxiety, bereavement, trauma, abuse, loneliness, stresses within the workplace, low self esteem, relationship and sexual problems including performance anxiety, erectile dysfunction and...
Oxford Circus
Catherine offers a safe, confidential space for clients bringing a wide range of issues to therapy These include anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, anger and work-related stress Catherine also supports clients experiencing depression, bereavement and life transitions Among her specialist interests are post traumatic growth and working with adult...
Oxford Circus
Ceri works with adult clients wanting to explore a range of concerns including anxiety, depression, relationship and family problems, issues arising from physical, emotional or psychological abuse and confidence and self-esteem issues He has particular experience of working with bereavement and loss Ceri’s training in psychodynamic and person-centred approaches to...
Soho
People come to therapy for many different reasons; whatever your reason, therapy is a unique experience It can offer you an environment where you begin to make sense of your experiences, both past and present, and discover how you feel about them Cora likes to create a space that is both safe and supportive in which she can work collaboratively with her clients...
Oxford Circus
