HCPC · BPS When the relationship needs a different conversation
Relationship Counselling Across The North East
A space for couples and individuals to work through the difficulties that are hardest to talk about alone.
- 44 Practitioners
- 6 North East clinics
- Free First Pathway call
Understanding relationship counselling
Relationships do not come with instructions. Counselling helps you write your own.
Relationship counselling is a form of therapy specifically designed to help couples and individuals address difficulties in close relationships. It creates a structured, neutral space in which both people can speak honestly and feel heard, guided by a therapist trained in relationship dynamics and communication. It is not about assigning blame or deciding who is right: it is about understanding what is happening and what both people actually need.
People come to relationship counselling for many different reasons. Communication that has broken down. Recurring conflict that never fully resolves. A loss of intimacy or connection that has grown over time. A betrayal or breach of trust that feels impossible to move past. The strain that major life events, such as having children, bereavement, illness, or job loss, can place on a partnership. Whatever has brought you here, counselling provides a way to address it directly.
At Select Psychology, we offer relationship counselling that is evidence-based and compassionate. Our therapists are trained in approaches including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and person-centred counselling. We work with couples, partners, and individuals, and we offer sessions at our clinics and online.
Common signs
How relationship counselling shows up, and what can help
Common signs
- Arguments that repeat without ever resolving
- Feeling unheard or dismissed by your partner
- Emotional or physical distance that has grown
- A breach of trust or infidelity
- Loss of intimacy or connection
- Communication that feels impossible or pointless
- Big life changes putting pressure on the relationship
- Uncertainty about whether the relationship has a future
Therapies that can help
Different people respond to different approaches. Your therapist agrees a personalised plan with you, which may draw on:
The Pathway Team matches you to a therapist experienced in supporting people with relationship counselling, at your chosen location.
A simple first move
Not sure where to start? Talk it through with the Pathway Team.
Who you might work with
Therapists with expertise in supporting people with relationship counselling
HCPC · BPS 
BACP · HCPC Browse the full team, or let the Pathway Team match you.
When to reach out
You do not have to reach crisis point before asking for help.
Relationship counselling works best when both partners still have some willingness to engage. The earlier you seek support, the more options you have. If you are noticing recurring patterns, growing distance, or a sense that the same conversations keep happening without resolution, that is a good moment to reach out.
You can contact us as a couple or as an individual. Our Pathway Team will listen to what you are experiencing and help you find the right therapist. A free Pathway call is the place to start.
Where we offer this
Support for relationship counselling across the North East
Questions before you start
What people usually ask
1 What happens in relationship counselling?
In relationship counselling, a trained therapist works with you and your partner to understand the patterns that are causing difficulty and to develop more effective ways of communicating and relating. Sessions are confidential and structured, with the therapist helping both people to express what they need and to hear each other more clearly. The number of sessions varies, but many couples see meaningful change within six to twelve sessions.
2 Do both people need to attend relationship counselling?
Not always. Couples therapy works best when both partners attend together, but individual therapy can also be effective for relationship difficulties. Working on your own patterns, responses, and needs can create significant change in how you relate to a partner, even without them in the room. Some people attend individually first and then move into couples sessions. We offer both, and the Pathway Team can help you decide what is right for your situation.
3 Can relationship counselling help if trust has been broken?
Yes. Infidelity and other breaches of trust are among the most common reasons couples seek counselling. Therapy can provide a structured and safe space to address what happened, understand why, and work out whether and how the relationship can move forward. This is not a straightforward process, and it requires commitment from both partners. Many couples do find a way through with the right support.
4 How is relationship counselling different from individual therapy?
In relationship counselling, the relationship itself is the focus. The therapist works with both partners to change the dynamic between them, rather than focusing on one person's inner world. Individual therapy for relationship difficulties focuses on your own experience, patterns, and responses. Both have value, and they are often complementary. We can help you decide which approach makes most sense given your circumstances.
In the meantime
Small things that can help while you wait for support.
- Choose a calm moment to raise concerns, not mid-argument
- Listen to understand your partner, not just to respond
- Name what you need clearly rather than hoping it is noticed
- Notice your own patterns: what do you do when things escalate?
- Make small gestures of care and connection each day
From the blog
Helpful reading on this
Does Couples Therapy Work? A Therapist’s Perspective on Its Impact
Does couples therapy work? Discover how relationship counselling can improve communication, resolve conflict, rebuild trust, and help couples create stronger, healthier relationships.
Read article
How can relationship counselling help?
Learn how relationship counselling helps couples navigate challenges, improve understanding, and build stronger, more fulfilling relationships.
Read article
Can Marriage Counselling Help My Relationship?
Marriage counselling isn't just for struggling couples. Learn how it can improve communication, strengthen relationships, resolve conflict, and support couples at every stage of their journey.
Read article
Five principles to a stronger relationship
Research from the Gottman Institute shows that 69% of relationship conflicts typically go unresolved, and successful couples learn to choose which disagreements are worth addressing. Strong relationships are built on consistent positive interactions — at least five positive exchanges for every negative one — alongside regularly updating your knowledge of your partner's inner world. When conflict arises, turning toward each other with empathy rather than fighting or withdrawing is the most effective approach. Treating the relationship itself as something that requires active, ongoing nurturing by both partners is key to long-term togetherness.
Read articleGet in touch
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