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New to Relationship Counselling? How it Works
We listen to you
Our methods have been developed to improve lives over generations. Our experts give you the individual care you need.
If you are considering seeking help for a relationship or mental health issue, then it's natural to want to know more before you take the first step.
At Tavistock Relationships, our staff help everybody who comes to us understand what relationship counselling or individual therapy involves.
Below, you can read about how the counselling process works.
Relationship counselling or individual therapy starts with a conversation
You might be in a relationship, divorced, separated, having issues with parenting or adoption or finding problems in your sexual relationship and unable to resolve the difficulties. This can feel lonely and overwhelming.
Speaking to a therapist gives you the space to understand yourself better in relation to your partner and to explore what keeps you stuck – which often involves recurring patterns from the past.
We’ve been offering relationship therapy for over 70 years, working with people from all communities and backgrounds, providing a safe and confidential environment for you to talk through your problems. Our results and client satisfaction scores speak for themselves.
The initial consultation
Making an appointment for an initial consultation is an important first step to getting help and you can book one online here.
You can choose to attend with your partner or alone. At this session you’ll have the chance to talk through any concerns and ask any questions about how the counselling process works.
People generally find the initial consultation very helpful. During the consultation, the therapist you see will explore your current difficulties and think with you about how to proceed.
As a not-for-profit organisation, we believe that relationship counselling should be accessible to all. As such we offer a sliding fee scale based upon your overall circumstances. You can read more about fees here – we’ll discuss this at your first appointment.
Is couples therapy right for me?
We do need to ensure that your situation is best suited to having couple therapy, and there might be times when we are not best placed to meet your current needs.
In such circumstances, we would try to recommend more appropriate options that you might wish to explore, and suggest that you might return for a review in the future.
Success stories
I would recommend marriage counselling to any couple. Our treatment was incredibly helpful for our marriage now, and preparing us for the future together. Thank you.
Tavistock Relationships Client
Our counsellor has been very good at helping us identify underlying issues.
Tavistock Relationships Client
What happens after the initial consultation
Following your initial appointment we consider carefully the most suitable way forward for you.
If this is in our counselling, psychotherapy or psychosexual services we will look for an appropriate appointment for you for regular weekly sessions.
It could be that there is a wait until a suitable vacancy can be offered, particularly if your availability is limited. Once an appointment is offered it will be for the same time each week with the same therapist.
How the counselling process works
You can choose to attend with your partner or alone. At this session you’ll have the chance to talk through any concerns and ask any questions about how the counselling process works.
People generally find this initial consultation very helpful. If you then want to take things forward, we’ll agree a time that works with sessions delivered on a weekly basis. This video gives an overview of the counselling process.
How to book an appointment
The easiest way to book an appointment is online.
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, or alternatively get in touch with using the form below.
You can also check out our frequently-asked questions, which cover most of the common things we’re asked.
Get in touch.
© 2023 Tavistock Relationships. All Rights Reserved.
10 New Street, London, UK, EC2M 4TP - Tel: 020 7380 1975
Registered Charity Number: 211058. Tavistock Institute of Medical Psychology.
Company number: 241618.
© 2023 Tavistock Relationships. All Rights Reserved.
10 New Street, London EC2M 4TP
Tel: 020 7380 1975
Registered Charity Number: 211058. Tavistock Institute of Medical Psychology. Company number: 241618.