WHAT IS RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLING?
Relationship counselling is an opportunity for people to come together in a safe and held environment to work on their relationship.
The focus of relationship counselling is to
- communicate more effectively
- identify patterns and blindspots within the relationship that are causing problems
- work through difficult conversations and conflict areas
- deepen intimacy and connection
- learn to speak your truth and take responsibility for your part in conflict
- increase self-awareness which enhances relationship awareness
- feel understood and heard by each other
- strengthen relationship skills
A relationship counsellor is good at distinguishing process from content, reading underlying dynamics and messages, being with deep feeling, addressing resistances and providing useful relationship skills. At all times a relationship counsellor works at being on the side of the relationship rather than biased toward a specific person. The client is the relationship.
The cost of a 1 hour session is R350
The cost of a 1½ hour session is R450
I OFFER THE FOLLOWING KINDS OF RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLING:
Couple Counselling focuses specifically on working with couples, whether they are married or not. Many Counsellors prefer using this term because it doesn’t exclude couples who are not married. Couple Counsellors focus specifically on romantic relationships rather than on families.
Marriage Counselling focuses specifically on couples who are married. Often clients prefer seeing Counsellors who are or have also been married.
Pre-Marital Counselling is a wonderful investment and relationship building strategy for couples who are wanting to get married. This work involves exploring and strengthening a growing relationship and looking at different value systems, conflict areas and useful relationship tools.
Family Counselling focuses specifically on families who need to work through problem areas. Often in a family a certain member can become “the problem” and all the other members then tend to use them as a “scapegoat” for their own difficulties. With family counselling no individual member is seen as the “problem”, instead the Counsellor focuses on the entire system and how each person plays a role in contributing toward what is happening. When children are still young (pre-puberty) then the Counsellor will often work primarily with the parents to shift problem areas within the family.
Mediation is a specific process for people who need support to work through conflict. A mediator takes on the role of making sure that each party is fully heard, understood and represented. The aim of mediation is to resolve conflict and find a solution that works for all involved.
Feedback from a client
Pippa managed to get us talking again after our relationship had degenerated to a point where every interaction involved an argument with no resolution. It was a relief to achieve a more functional level of communication in a safe environment. I learnt loads about myself and some really insightful communication lessons. She offers a valuable service when relationship conflicts don’t seem to be achieving any resolution.”
Charlotte
