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Tavistock Relationships Couples Therapy, Relationship Counselling, Psychotherapy Training

couple need relationship help
  • Relationship Advice

Couples Therapy

couple on a couch

We can all experience difficulties in our relationships from time to time.

When we feel stuck with conflicts, misunderstandings or other problems and can’t find a way out of this ourselves, then couples therapy can offer you a confidential setting where you can work with a therapist to explore your situation.  This can generate new ways of thinking and resolving the problems you and your partner are experiencing.

The first step is an initial consultation with one of our therapists who will listen to your concerns, and think with you about the most helpful way forward.

Book therapy

therapist in online session with a couple on a tablet

International clients

Working online enables us to offer our services to people in many countries outside the UK (excepting the US). 

Couples where one or both partners are working internationally, have an adjustment to make without the support they may have had while living within the UK, particularly if they have a family.  Our therapists have many years’ experience of working with these issues.

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couple holding hands on bed

When sex is a problem

From time to time, it is not unusual for couples to experience issues in their sexual relationship. This can be for a variety of reasons, and linked not only to external stressors but also to tensions within the relationship.  

You or your partner might be experiencing specific difficulties which a psychosexual therapist can be best placed to help you with. Such difficulties can include help with improving intimacy, erection problems, rapid (premature) ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, difficulty in female orgasm, sexual arousal issues, differential sexual desire levels (libido) in a couple relationship, painful intercourse, sexual risk-taking behaviour and loss of sexual desire.    

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upset parents discussing issues with children present

Help with Parenting

Parenting can be an extremely rewarding and enriching experience, but it can also bring stresses and strains.

It can be hard to manage the conflicting demands of attending to the needs of the children as well as having an intimate and satisfying relationship. When you are stressed and in conflict, this can, in turn, upset the children and have a negative impact on their emotional wellbeing.  

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older couple in serious discussion

Helping you deal with divorce and separation

For most couples, there’s a sad paradox when it comes to divorce and separation – just when you need to be able to communicate with one another better than ever before, you’ve often stopped speaking at all.

This can be because all the changes and tensions between ‘soon to be ex partners’ become so overwhelming and seemingly impossible to manage, that people often shut down. Couples in this situation may find our divorce and separation service is a helpful intervention to find a way to speak or negotiate with one another about decisions that need to be made.

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couples in online and face-to-face therapy

What if my partner doesn't want to attend? 

Although it is more helpful to address relationship problems when both partners come for therapy, and we will encourage both partners to attend, our therapists are also trained to work with individuals and we see lots of people on their own.

We also help individuals who may not currently be in a relationship. It may be your relationship has recently broken down or that you have felt that you have had a series of relationships that you have been unsure have been right in some way or another.

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Read more …Couples Therapy

  • Relationship Advice
black older couple looking worried

Are you and your partner living with dementia?

Dementia can be difficult to understand and come to terms with, bringing challenges for couples at a time when your relationship with your partner is key.

The Living Together with Dementia service works with couples, providing support and help with the changes accompanying dementia. It gives you a safe space where you can address the challenges you face together. Telephone 020 7380 1960 or contact or us using the email details or form at the foot of this page.

Download a leaflet about this service.

couple holding hands

What will the sessions involve?

At Tavistock Relationships we are here to explore the issues that dementia can bring about in your relationship.

You will work together with one person from our specialist team who will think with you about your situation and help you to find new strategies and ways of adjusting together to the changes that dementia can bring.

What will it cost?

Our work with you starts with an initial consultation with a counsellor or psychotherapist.

As a charity we provide relationship support whatever your financial circumstances. The cost of each session will be based on your income and your overall circumstances, with no minimum fee. The level of your fee will be discussed with you at your first appointment.

“Normally, when I bring him tea in bed he doesn’t say very much – but in the last few days it is different, he’s been chatting away… it’s like having the old John back… ”

Participant's comment

How to book an appointment

If you have any questions that you’d like to ask before going ahead with a counselling session, why not give us a call on 020 7380 1960, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or alternatively get in touch with us using the form below.

You can also check out our frequently-asked questions, which cover most of the common things we’re asked.

Read more …Living Together with Dementia Service

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  • Family and Parenting
parents holding small baby

Couple relationship support in a child’s first year

The Couple’s Perinatal Service at Tavistock Relationships offers highly specialised therapeutic support to couples in the perinatal stage. It is suitable for first time parents and parents who already have children.

Becoming a parent is central to many couple relationships and is often a momentous occasion, full of joyful moments. However, the transition to parenthood can also be fraught with many unforeseen challenges which might throw parents into turmoil, leaving them feeling despairing and disorientated. Our experienced therapists are skilled at assessing your individual challenges in this important stage of your child and your family's development, and building pathways to improved communication and mutual support.

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smiling white couple with baby looking at laptop

Aims of the therapy

We are aware of how such difficulties can impact family life and, if not addressed, may mean couples experience difficulties relating to each other that are hard to resolve.

The aim of our work is to help parents establish a supportive parental couple in which both can form a bond with the infant which is inclusive of the other, a bond that starts even before the baby is born.

A service tailored to your needs

Tavistock Relationships offers a safe, confidential and non-judgemental environment. We offer an initial consultation where we will assess the best service for the specific issues you are facing. We may offer a more extended assessment where necessary. 

There is no set number of sessions, and you can attend as many weekly sessions as you need, from pregnancy up until your baby is one year old. We can also offer other services after the perinatal stage if you feel it would

How are the sessions delivered?

Sessions take place weekly at the same time each week and last 50 minutes. We offer sessions online via webcam or in-person at City Wellbeing Centre, 75-77 Middlesex Street, London, E1 7DA.

african carribbean couple with baby on laptop meeting with therapist white couple and baby with counsellor

How much does it cost?

As a not-for-profit organisation, we believe that relationship counselling should be accessible to all. You can register and book a consultation with one of our therapists via our website.

Fees per session range from £100-£180* per session depending on your circumstances. We offer a limited number of reduced rate appointments for those who find our standard fees difficult to manage - please call or email us to discuss your individual situation.

Why choose us?

  • Tavistock Relationships is a world centre of excellence in the delivery and training of psychotherapy.
  • When a couple relationship works well, it can have a very positive effect on mental health and children’s outcomes.
  • Over 90% of our clients have found therapy helpful and our model has been proven to be effective in the largest ever naturalistic evidenced study of psychotherapy.

Why not take a look at some of the testimonials we have from past clients. Or our how highly our clients rate us.

Read more …Couple’s Perinatal Service

parents swinging little boy dressed in bright red top
  • Relationship Advice
mixed heritage family with small children walking hand in hand

An effective programme for parental support

Parents as Partners supports parents in strengthening their relationship with each other, so you they more able to face life's ups and downs.

Parents as Partners is a programme that looks at the whole family, not just the relationship between parents and their children. Both parents are involved in sessions, and the group is always led by a male and female pair of trained workers.

Sessions include a mix of creative activities, video clips and discussions, input from the group leaders and space to talk about the things that are important for you. The group is a safe space to explore things that might be difficult and sad, as well as a space for lively discussion, fun and meeting other people who might be going through similar situations.

How does it help?

Parents as Partners has proven results in helping:

  • Improve your relationship and communication with your child's other parent
  • Strengthen your family relationships and improve your child's wellbeing and success
  • Manage the challenges and stress of family life
  • Reduce conflict in your relationship

To find out more about its outcomes, look at the Early Intervention Foundation Guidebook’s page on the ‘Schoolchildren and their Families’ programme (the original name of this programme in the US when it was tested on a group of parents whose children were entering school – it’s the same programme as Parents as Partners). Here you can find out more about how it helps to support children’s mental health and well-being, enhance school achievement and reduce internalising and externalising problems. The Parents as Partners programme works with parents who have at least one child aged 11 or under.

Our specialist programmes

mother and father of different heritages smiling at their baby

Parents as Partners - Perinatal Programme

A perinatal programme for parents to attend together to improve their relationship, increase their children's wellbeing and improve children's outcomes. To attend, parents must be referred by their Family Hub or a local authority practitioner.

View PDF flyer for more details

parents with small child with learning disability playing under a sheet

Parents as Partners - Global Developmental Delay

This is a free 16-week online (web-meeting based) therapeutic group for couples of children with global developmental delay, with support from couples who understand the unique pressures involved. You can call 020 7380 1960 for further information or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

>> Apply now for group starting in September

View PDF flyer for more details

parents with baby

What is needed from you

To benefit from this programme, whether you are together or separated, you need to be willing to talk together about how you would like to bring up your children. Groups have included couples and co-parents from different backgrounds, including adoptive couples, same sex couples, and for couples dealing with the particular stresses of parenting a child on the Autism Spectrum.

Please note:

  • Both parents have to agree to participate and attend the group together
  • This isn't a programme for one parent only
  • We meet couples/co-parents before to decide together whether the programme is suitable for you.
  • You cannot attend if you are currently involved in care proceedings or private family law proceedings.

What parents say

In this video, a couple who attended Tavistock Relationships' Parents as Partners programme shares how the sessions helped their relationship and their family dynamic.

 

 

Children and Young People Now 2017 award logo

An award-winning approach

The Parents as Partners programme, a group-based approach to strengthening parental couple relationships and family life, was named the 'Best Family Support Intervention' at the Children & Young People Now awards ceremony at 2017 ceremony. 

My husband and I were referred to parents as partners by our counsellor. To be perfectly honest I was very sceptical about it and if it wasn't because of not having an option to improve our relationship, I wouldn't have attended it. Issues like confidentiality was a big problem for us. We didn't want to discuss our personal issues in front of others. Plus, being in a room with five other couples for a limited amount of time made us think we cannot take much away with us... However, the group was a life changer for us... I wish we had done it earlier. Sharing some time with other couples who go through similar problems, sharing their approach towards their issues and having two professionals who are amazing at guiding couples is so helpful towards improving relationships. The group is designed in a way that covers the most parts of marital problems especially those that come up after becoming a parent. Since we've done the course, our relationship with each other and our child has become a lot better. The session about communication was absolutely brilliant. It's helped us being able to talk with each other effectively without avoiding or arguing. Also, not only wasn't the confidentiality an issue, but we ended up making some great friends for life... I highly recommend this group. You cannot imagine how effective it can be...

Read more …Parents as Partners

multicultural parents kissing baby
  • Relationship Advice

Parenting can be an extremely rewarding and enriching experience but it can also place an enormous strain on the parents’ relationship.

It can be hard to manage the conflicting demands of attending to the needs of the children as well as having an intimate and satisfying relationship. When the parents’ relationship is stressed and in conflict, this can, in turn, upset the children and have a negative impact on their emotional wellbeing.  

50% of all of our clients have at least one child under 18.

Parents often benefit from a safe and confidential space away from their children to make sense of these stresses. With this in mind, Tavistock Relationship is offering a specialised service designed for parents.

Our Parenting help is face to face or online

We have to be honest and say we still argue but it’s actually about different things, now we are more organised with a lot of the boys’ routines, we have now found flexibility works better for us. It’s about recognising what the other person needs…common sense really

How it helps

In the Parenting Consultation Service, you will be seen by one of our experienced and specially trained therapists who will:

  • Offer a safe space to reflect on the impact of parenting on your couple relationship
  • Help you towards a better understanding of your relationship with each other and your children
  • Support you with difficulties you may be having with your children
  • Improve the overall quality of your parental- and couple relationship and family life

Parenting help, the process and how to contact us

The Parenting Service offers an initial consultation, after which parents can progress to weekly sessions.

You can come to the Parenting Service with your partner, co-parent or on your own.  We work with a wide range of parents from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances. Our practice is inclusive, non-discriminatory and culturally sensitive.

Read more …Parenting - Consultation Service