Frequently Asked Questions

Find quick answers to the most common questions about my services and support. 

Why Couples Seek Relationship Counselling

Many couples wait until conflict feels overwhelming or emotional distance has grown deep. Starting EFT relationship counselling now helps you understand and change negative patterns before they become harder to shift. Early intervention often leads to faster, more lasting results.

I’m a UKCP-accredited psychotherapist with over 15 years’ experience specialising in couples therapy. I combine Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with a warm, practical approach to help partners rebuild connection and trust.

EFT is a proven, attachment-based therapy that helps couples identify and transform the emotional cycles causing distress. It focuses on creating secure bonding rather than just managing symptoms.

Unlike traditional approaches that focus mainly on communication skills or problem-solving, EFT targets the deeper emotional patterns and attachment needs that drive conflict. This creates lasting change at the heart of the relationship.

What to Expect in Couples Therapy

We explore what brought you to counselling, your relationship history, and your goals. You’ll gain initial understanding of your patterns. Most couples leave feeling heard and more hopeful.

Many couples notice positive shifts within 3–4 sessions. I typically recommend starting with 6 sessions, then reviewing progress together. Total sessions often range from 8–20 depending on your goals.

Yes. Both online (via secure video) and in-person sessions are available. Online EFT counselling is highly effective and offers greater flexibility for many couples.

Simply book your initial session through the website. We’ll begin by understanding your unique situation and creating a clear path forward using EFT.

Relationship Problems, Conflict & Communication

Recurring arguments usually stem from unmet emotional needs (such as safety, reassurance, or closeness) rather than the surface topic. EFT helps you recognise and change this cycle.

Emotional shutdown often occurs when a partner feels criticised, overwhelmed, or unsafe. This creates a common pursue-withdraw pattern that EFT is particularly effective at resolving.

Over time, stress, busy lives, and unresolved issues can erode emotional intimacy, leaving couples feeling more like cohabitants than partners. EFT rebuilds the emotional bond.

Loneliness in a relationship usually signals emotional disconnection, even when living together. EFT focuses on restoring that sense of closeness and being truly seen.

Trust, Affairs & Rebuilding Relationships

Yes — many couples recover and emerge stronger with commitment, accountability, and the right therapeutic support. EFT excels at healing attachment injuries caused by betrayal. See my how to survive an affair guide.

Recovery timelines vary, but meaningful healing often takes several months of consistent effort. EFT helps accelerate trust rebuilding by addressing the emotional impact.

Trust is rebuilt through consistent transparent actions, emotional safety, and guided repair conversations. EFT provides a clear roadmap for this process.

Yes. EFT counselling creates a safe space to process pain, understand root causes, and rebuild emotional connection after infidelity or emotional affairs.

Deciding Whether to Stay or Separate

Counselling provides a neutral space to clarify patterns, feelings, and options so you can make thoughtful decisions rather than reactive ones. If you are not clear on what to do, it’s best to take some time to work on your relationship to get clear.

Discernment counselling is a short, focused process I offer for couples who are uncertain about staying together or whether it is worth working on their relationship. It helps gain clarity without pressure to commit to long-term therapy.

This is very common. Many hesitant partners become more engaged once they feel truly heard. EFT works well even when motivation levels differ initially.

Verified Google Reviews

What couples say about working with me who have attended couples therapy in Bristol