Separation & Divorce

You may have already decided to separate. We won't try to persuade you to stay together - that decision is yours. However separation and divorce can be painful and difficult, particularly if there are children involved. An experienced counsellor can help you, as a couple, to come to terms with what has happened and to manage the separation amicably. Alternatively you may find individual counselling very helpful if you are struggling to cope with what has happened.

People often come to us at times of crisis in a relationship in order to explore their feelings about whether to stay together or to part. For instance, one partner may have had an affair and the couple needs to help to talk about what went wrong and the effects on their relationship. Sometimes couples find that they are able to 'renegotiate' a happier and more fulfilling relationship. The change can be dramatic.

However sometimes one partner is already clear when they come for counselling that they want the relationship to end, or the couple decide together that they want to separate. An experienced counsellor can help you to explore very difficult feelings; to both say what you feel and properly hear what your partner has to say. In doing so we can help you to make a 'good ending' that minimises damage to yourselves and to any children.

There is a great deal of evidence that parental conflict is bad for children, and can affect their life chances. Relationship counselling can help you to limit destructive conflict and discuss how to deal with new relationships and families now and in the future. We also offer a one off session called 'Parting Parents' to help you talk about how you will manage the needs of your children and your ongoing relationship as parents in the future.

Following separation or divorce you may find it helpful to attend one of our Relate courses such as 'Taking Charge of Your Life' or 'Moving On'.