Sue O'Brien Counselling in Cardiff - 174 Whitchurch Road, Cardiff CF14 3NB
  
In person therapy for intimate couples, parent & child (over 18), and siblings
£120 - First session 90 minutes, follow on sessions 60 minutes
 

Relationship therapy in practice​​

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'Changing how you communicate will change your relationship.'  Toni Herbine-Blank & Martha Sweezy

 

Relationship counselling is a healthy, positive and supportive exploration into the issues and challenges experienced by many different types of couple. ​Every couple is unique, whether it's an intimate relationship, parent and child, or siblings, yet the problems often have a commonality – one or both partners having a sense of not feeling validated, heard or understood.  If misunderstood, or ignored, emotions and tensions can escalate leading to feelings of blame, shame, hurt, confusion, frustration and anger.  These issues are often less of a lack of love, but stem more from past experiences leading to unhelpful communication patterns and behaviours.  

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My role is to help you identify these patterns in your communication.  I will help you find a new way to relate to each other by creating a space for you to each speak for those difficult and triggering feelings and behaviours.  I will be an impartial, non-judgemental facilitator to you both, to help you make sense of past and present experiences and behaviours that affect and influence how you communicate and ultimately, your relationship.  

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Disagreements happen in every relationship, it's normal, but the strengths, resources and love within your relationship can often be overshadowed by your conflicting parts and their behaviours.  By approaching our partner from a place of calm, curiosity and compassion, you can gain clarity and insight of the impact of your parts on your relationship, allowing more courageous conversations and healing. 

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For intimate relationships, I often see couples who are stuck between a part of them that wants to save the relationship and a part of them that has given up with feelings of hopelessness, anguish, frustration and infidelity added to the mix.  Using the approach of Internal Family Systems (IFS) Intimacy From the Inside Out, we focus on what happens to you when you're triggered by your partner and how your reactions can go on to trigger them often leading to escalation.  If there's uncertainty in the future of an intimate relationship, this process will help you decide whether you want to stay together, or separate, with the confidence of your decision making. For an intro into Internal Family Systems (IFS), take a look at this 13 minute video

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By working together with open and curious minds, we can explore your inner and outer worlds to bring healing and change to your relationship

 

 

 

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