Relationship Therapy

Relationship therapy supports couples and individuals with communication, conflict, trust and intimacy.

It provides a structured space to understand patterns and build healthier ways of relating.

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Relationship therapy (also called couples therapy) helps you understand repeating patterns that lead to conflict, distance or mistrust. Therapy can support both practical communication skills and deeper emotional understanding.

What happens in relationship therapy?

You will typically start by clarifying goals and the relationship context. Sessions may include structured conversations, communication exercises, exploring emotional needs, and agreements about changes you want to make. Some therapists see partners together; others combine joint and individual sessions.

What can relationship therapy help with?

Communication problems and repeated arguments
Trust issues including after infidelity
Intimacy challenges and emotional distance
Life transitions affecting the relationship (parenthood, illness, relocation)

Safety and suitability

Relationship therapy may not be appropriate where there is ongoing abuse, coercive control or significant safety risk. In those situations, specialist support and safety planning are essential.

Choosing a therapist

Look for appropriate counselling/psychotherapy training and experience in couples work. Ask about approach (e.g. EFT, systemic, Gottman-informed) and how sessions are structured.

History of Relationship Therapy

Relationship therapy developed from family and systemic therapy traditions and has evolved through research on communication, attachment and relationship dynamics. In the UK it is delivered by counsellors and psychotherapists with couples-work training.

Typical conditions that use Relationship Therapy

Condition	Evidence	Notes
Anger issues	strong	Useful where anger strains close relationships, helping couples or families communicate and resolve conflict more constructively.
Attachment issues	strong	Relationship therapy examines the attachment styles each partner brings, helping you build more secure, responsive ways of relating.
Body image concerns	strong	Relationship therapy can address how a partner's comments, intimacy worries and comparison affect how you feel about your body.
Boundary issues	strong	Examines how boundaries are negotiated between you and others, helping you communicate limits clearly within relationships.
Co-parenting challenges	strong	Helps separated parents rebuild communication, set shared boundaries and resolve conflicts so the child's needs come first.
Difficulty reaching orgasm	strong	Improves communication and intimacy between partners, addressing the relational tensions that often underlie orgasm difficulties.
Domestic abuse recovery support (sensitive)	strong	Relationship Therapy helps survivors recognise coercive and controlling patterns, set boundaries and rebuild safe, respectful connections after abuse.
Erectile dysfunction	strong	Works with both partners to ease tension, rebuild intimacy and reduce the relationship strain that often accompanies erectile difficulties.
Family conflict	strong	Relationship therapy brings family members together to untangle recurring disputes, rebuild trust and agree healthier ways of relating.
Fatherhood adjustment	strong	Relationship therapy addresses the strain a new arrival places on couples, helping partners renegotiate intimacy, responsibilities and communication as parents.
Intimacy concerns	strong	Works with couples to improve communication, rebuild trust and address the relational dynamics behind intimacy concerns.
Intimacy difficulties	strong	Focuses on the communication, trust and emotional patterns between partners that underlie difficulties with intimacy.
Jealousy	strong	Relationship therapy gives both partners a safe space to explore jealousy, rebuild trust and improve how they communicate insecurity.
Libido concerns (supportive)	strong	Relationship therapy looks at intimacy, conflict and connection between partners, often a key influence on shifts in libido.
Low libido	strong	Addresses relationship tensions, communication gaps and resentment between partners that often underlie a drop in sexual desire.
Low mood in men	strong	Addresses how relationship strain and conflict can feed a man's low mood, improving connection and mutual understanding.
Painful sex (dyspareunia)	strong	Working with both partners eases the tension, avoidance and miscommunication that pain during sex can build between a couple.
Parenting stress	strong	Supports couples whose parenting load creates conflict, improving how they share duties and communicate as a team.
People pleasing	strong	Relationship therapy examines how people-pleasing shapes your connections, helping you communicate needs honestly without losing closeness.
Postnatal emotional support	strong	Supports couples adjusting to parenthood and the strain it can place on a relationship.
Premature ejaculation	strong	Relationship therapy works with both partners to ease tension, improve communication about sex and reduce the pressure that worsens early ejaculation.
Relationship conflict	strong	Brings partners together to unpick recurring arguments, improve communication and rebuild trust where conflict has taken hold.
Relationship stress (men)	strong	Relationship therapy works directly on communication, trust and conflict between partners, helping couples address the issues straining their bond.
Separation / divorce support	strong	Can support couples through an amicable separation or help co-parents communicate more constructively after divorce.
Sexual difficulties	strong	Relationship therapy addresses the communication and intimacy issues between partners that frequently accompany sexual difficulties.
Sexual performance anxiety (supportive)	strong	Works with both partners to ease pressure, improve communication and rebuild intimacy when performance anxiety is straining the relationship.
Sexual wellbeing concerns (supportive)	strong	Works with both partners to improve communication about needs and expectations, reducing the relational tension that affects shared sexual wellbeing.
Trust issues	strong	Focuses on rebuilding trust between partners, improving honest communication and repairing patterns of suspicion or withdrawal.
Vaginismus	strong	Works with both partners to reduce performance pressure, improve communication and rebuild intimacy alongside physical treatment.
Work-life balance	strong	Helps couples and families talk openly about how work demands affect their relationships and negotiate fairer expectations together.
Bipolar disorder (support alongside medical care)	moderate	Supports partners and families in understanding bipolar disorder, easing strain and rebuilding trust affected by mood episodes.
Cancer emotional support (men)	moderate	Relationship therapy helps men and their partners navigate the intimacy, communication and role changes that cancer can bring to a couple.
Caregiver stress	moderate	Relationship therapy can ease the strain caring places on couples and families, helping members share the load more fairly.
Chronic illness adjustment	moderate	Relationship therapy helps couples and families navigate the strain a chronic illness can place on roles, intimacy and shared expectations.
Eating disorder recovery support (alongside specialist care)	moderate	Relationship or family therapy helps loved ones understand the illness and support recovery, easing tensions that can affect eating patterns.
Friendship difficulties	moderate	Relationship therapy helps you understand recurring conflicts and communication habits that make close friendships hard to sustain.
Guilt	moderate	Useful where guilt centres on a relationship, helping repair connection, communicate honestly and address unresolved hurt between people.
Loneliness	moderate	Relationship therapy strengthens communication and intimacy, helping ease the disconnection from partners or family that can drive loneliness.
Multiple sclerosis support (adjunct)	moderate	Relationship therapy can help couples adjust as MS reshapes roles, intimacy and caregiving within the partnership.
Parkinson’s support (adjunct)	moderate	Relationship therapy supports couples adjusting to the strain Parkinson's can place on roles, intimacy and caregiving within a partnership.
Perimenopause symptoms	moderate	Relationship therapy helps couples navigate the strain that perimenopausal mood, libido and communication changes can place on a partnership.
Social isolation	moderate	Relationship therapy addresses the communication patterns and conflicts that leave people cut off, helping repair and strengthen connections.

Frequently asked questions

Do we attend together or separately?

Both options are used. Your therapist will agree a plan that suits your aims.

Will the therapist take sides?

No. The stance is neutral and focused on patterns and communication.

Is this suitable for crisis?

It is not a crisis service. For risk or safeguarding concerns, contact appropriate services.