The short answer is… NOOOO!!!

Firstly, couples counselling requires specific training. Not all therapists will be trained to work with couples and can only work with individuals. Nightingale couple counsellors will have trained for three years in couple counselling and a further two years in psychosexual counselling, an additional part of what they offer couples.

The couple counsellor will be focused on communication, conflict resolutions, recurring patterns of behaviour, building individual self-awareness, and past relationship influences. The most common issues a couples counsellor will work on are:

• Bad communication habits
• Infidelity
• Online infidelity
• Sexual issues
• Drifting apart
• One or other falling out of love
• Parenting
• Baby shock – what happened to us
• Blended families
• In-laws
• Before I say ‘I do’
• Relationship coaching

…To name but a few!

Will the couples counsellor see who is to blame?

A couples counsellor is not there to take sides or to decide who is right or who is wrong. Their focus will be on all three of you working together to resolve the conflicts facing the relationship. The counsellor will ensure equal amounts of attention and space are given to both of you. All couples counsellors spend a lot of time and attention making sure both parties feel that they have been heard and understood. They will also show empathy and understanding to both people.

On a deeper level, couple counsellors tend to take on a much more active role as they are constantly analysing the interactions couples have with each other and offering feedback on ways to improve. In contrast, individual counselling can be much more self-reflective.