The first session typically involves an initial consultation. This means getting to know your therapist, discussing your reasons for seeking therapy, and setting goals.

Your therapist will ask questions about your background, current situation, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. This is also an opportunity to ask any questions you have about the process, and to decide whether couples is right for you.

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call emergency services or visit your nearest emergency room. Our practice provides support during scheduled sessions, but we are not equipped to handle immediate crises outside of these times.

For free and confidential support you can also contact the following services:

• Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours.
• Text “SHOUT” to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text “YM” if you’re under 19.
• If you’re under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.

We offer a range of mental health services tailored to the LGBTQ+ community, including individual therapy, couples therapy, and group therapy. Our services address a variety of issues such as coming out, relationship challenges, parenting, addictions, gender identity, anxiety, depression, trauma, and more.

We provide the following services:

• couples therapy with fully trained couples therapists
• family-work or parent-and-child psychotherapy and specialist parenting work, delivered by specialist parent-child psychotherapists
• individual therapy with fully trained individual therapists
• group therapy couples
• group therapy for individuals

All of our therapists who work with couples have had specialist clinical training in couples psychotherapy and are registered to work with couples. Nowadays, there are a lot of people in the field that brand themselves as couples counsellors or psychotherapists, but who have very little formal training or experience in couples work. It is usually not enough to have completed some professional development training in working with couples in order to be an effective couples psychotherapist, as working with couples effectively requires specialist clinical training. Our couples therapists have this training.

It is important to know whether someone is registered to work with couples specifically, so you can make an informed decision as a client.

We require 48h advanced notice of cancellation for all types of appointments including initial consultations. You will be charged the full session fee for appointments cancelled or rescheduled with less than 48h notice. The reason we have this cancellation policy is because the slots that are booked are reserved for you, and it’s not possible to offer them to other clients when cancelled without notice.

At some point in a relationship, you may find yourself drifting away from your partner. This can be due to life circumstances, anxiety, diminished sexual and emotional intimacy or other challenges.

Couples therapy allows you to see and change negative behaviours in order to gain a better understanding of yourself, your partner, and the deeper dynamics of your relationship. It can provide you with new tools, ideas, and perspectives to help you improve your relationship. Out therapists can also help you resolve conflict and achieve increased connection and intimacy.

This type of therapy can be useful for anybody who is in a relationship, regardless of age or gender, and regardless of whether the relationship is monogamous or open. Evidence supports the efficacy of couples therapy in making a vital contribution to mental health. Couples therapy is a powerful treatment, which aims to reach beyond the initial symptoms, to the underlying causes which create difficulties in couple relationships. As a result, it can effect lasting change for both the couple and each individual partner, as well as for any children the couple may have.

Couples therapy can help to:

• Resolve conflict through better communication
• Achieve renewed sexual and emotional intimacy
• Work through intense conflicts or unexpected crises
• Understand the past and move beyond it
• Decide whether and how you want to start a family
• Establish whether you can continue within your relationship or marriage
• Work through the end of a relationship on the best terms possible, if you have decided to separate
• Negotiate differences in intimate needs, such as polyamory or monogamy

It is important to feel comfortable and trust your therapist. If you don’t think there is a good fit with your therapist, it’s okay to discuss this with them. Sometimes, finding the right therapist can take time, and it’s important to work with someone who helps you feel safe and understood.

All of our therapists are trained and experienced in LGBTQ+ affirmative practices. We understand the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ communities, how to work effectively with these and are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space for all clients.

Same-sex couples, LGBTQ+ individuals, non-binary individuals and couples, people living alternative lifestyles (i.e., polyamorous, kink, BDSM, etc.) are welcome.

Absolutely. Your privacy and confidentiality are of utmost importance to us, and we are legally obliged to follow confidentiality regulations.

All information shared in therapy sessions is kept confidential, with the exception of situations where there may be serious risk of harm to yourself or others, as required by law.

Confidentiality is one of the most important aspects of the relationship between a client and therapist. Successful therapy requires trust and clients often discuss subjects that are highly personal and sensitive, ones that are usually not discussed anywhere but in the therapy session. Whatever you discuss in your session will not be shared with anyone outside of the session and all clients sign a confidentiality and consent form before beginning their work with us. Sometimes you may want us to share information with other professionals such as your family doctor, in which case you can discuss this with us, but we cannot share any information without your written permission.

Typically, therapy sessions are held once a week and take place at the same day and time every week. Your therapist may recommend more or less frequent sessions depending on your situation and progress.

Couples therapy costs £150 per session. Individual therapy costs £100 per session.
Groups fees vary depending on the intervention. We also offer a number of low-cost slots, where cost is a barrier to accessing therapy.

Couples therapy sessions last 60 minutes. Individual therapy sessions last 50 minutes. Group therapy sessions last 90 minutes.

Many people believe that if they need couples therapy there is something wrong with their relationship and they should break up. This is simply not true. Couples may need support at any stage of a relationship.

For example, you may find that you’re not communicating well, or that you are both very anxious about life circumstances. Or you may need more physical or emotional intimacy, need help to negotiate different needs, struggle to manage life transitions (such as marriage, ageing or loss), or struggle with planning a family.

You may find yourselves constantly arguing or bickering. Or you may feel dissatisfied and resentful. You may have repeated arguments, often about the same issues, or you may be struggling with an unexpected crisis such as infidelity or loss. You may even feel tempted to be unfaithful or one of you may already have been, or you may be struggling with feelings of jealousy, guilt, and competitiveness in more open relationships. You may find you and your partner are avoiding conversations about your needs and difficulties, or you have come to feel like housemates and not like lovers.

Whatever the reason for therapy may be, many couples wait too long to get specialist help, and this can result in increased difficulty in the relationship. The sooner you get help, the better chance you have of improving your relationship.

You can schedule an appointment by contacting us by telephone, email, or through our online booking system. We’ll arrange an initial consultation to discuss your needs.

You can schedule an appointment by contacting us via phone, email, or through our website’s booking system. We’ll arrange an initial consultation to discuss your needs. 

Yes, many therapists offer online therapy sessions. This can be a convenient option if you prefer to have sessions from the comfort of your own home or if you live in an area with limited access to therapy services. Generally, we recommend in-person therapy when this is possible, but online therapy is also an option and can be effective.

It is best to attend couples therapy sessions together. In some cases, the therapist may suggest individual sessions, but normally couples therapy is more effective if partners attend together.

Yes, you can stop therapy at any time. It’s important to communicate with your therapist about your decision, so you can discuss your progress and remaining concerns you may have. Ending therapy is a personal decision and should be made when you feel ready.