Relationship Issues

Relationship issues unless resolved, tend to repeat themselves, sometimes in different forms and can bog down relationships.

Some key factors that often need to be addressed are:-

Communication styles

The inability for each partner to clearly relate his or her needs to the other can be a major source of dispute. Feelings of not being heard, or understood, by one's partner can lead to frustration and have negative effects on the relationship. There are skills that can be learnt that improve each person’s ability to relate and to become an attentive and active listener.

Negotiation skill

Differences are a normal part of any relationship. Being able to deal with these differences can often require negotiation. Good negotiation skills look for a win:win outcome.

Time together

This aspect is often under-rated. Couples in today's society are often under enormous pressure to fit too much into their lives, especially if children are involved. Often couples only give to each other what time is left over from their busy schedules, and therefore, resentments can grow if one partner is feeling alone or isolated in the union. Good relationships happen as a result of couples giving 'time together' a priority.

Separation

Separation from a significant relationship is one of the most painful experiences of one’s life. After separation, much of what is familiar and safe is in disarray.
Men and women both struggle for long periods (sometimes for a couple of years) trying to deal with the loss, whilst trying to re-establish their lives, often feeling alone and isolated.
Counselling in these instances can provide support in making the necessary adjustments in people's lives, helping them to be able to ‘move on.’

Personal Growth

Personal Growth is a process that, we hope, will be a normal part of our maturation, however, many people accelerate this by taking an active part in self-exploration.
To pursue an understanding of oneself, to expand one's personal limitations to the point of self-trust presents an exciting journey that can broaden one's horizons and experiences of life.

Loss and Grief

Loss and Grief can manifest itself as deep sadness, anger and pain and can touch all of us at some time in our lives. Having permission to experience and deal with the process is essential for a healthy resumption of a happy productive life.

Mens Issues

Men are often confused about their roles in a changing society and can, therefore, feel isolated with a variety of problems relating to relationships, family connections (especially involving children), sexuality or work. Counselling is a process that men no longer feel is a weakness, taboo or mainly for women.

Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and Depression occurring separately or together, are disorders that can be very debilitating in people's lives. Counselling explores what influences lead to people's belief that they are less than acceptable.
How does anxiety affect your life or those close to you?
Are there times when you don’t experience anxiety?
Although it is likely that some depressive illnesses may need medication at the more severe end of the scale, many depressive episodes or chronic depression can be assisted greatly with some exploration of life influences and thinking processes.

Eating Disorders

Anorexia & Bulimia are still escalating disorders that can threaten mainly young people's lives. More often than not characterised by low-self esteem.
Society’s expectations and the sufferer’s need to be perfect in their lives (activities/studies), can result in anxieties that drive some forms of eating disorder (Anorexia or Bulimia). These are usually characterised by food bingeing, excessive dieting and/or exercise. Although a very difficult condition to treat, counselling can help in changing some of the negative thinking, low self-esteem and anxiety that perpetuates this disorder.

Sexuality & Sexual Dysfunction

Sexuality & Sexual Dysfunction is quite often a very difficult topic for people to explore either with their partners or, indeed, by themselves.
Counselling explores problems relating to:-

• Decrease in sexual desire

• Non-orgasm

• Premature ejaculation

• Erection difficulties

Often clients find exploring their own beliefs and experiences can open doors to a more fulfilling sex life.

Parenting Issues

We are not taught parenting but we are expected to grow into it once we have children. The role of the parent is not an easy one and the model we have is usually that of our own parents. This, unfortunately, can often be defective or inadequate for today's children or just repeats of our own parent's mistakes.

Mistakes are made. Guilt and frustration accompany the love we feel for our children. Sometimes that love is tested to the limit.

It is important to know that through these difficulties you are not alone and that there are skills and strategies to provide guidelines and boundaries to mould and encourage desired behaviours in our children.

The thoughts and feelings that you have are part of your own growing experience. Coping and handling the stresses of parenthood need to be learnt, loving your child is not always easy. Implementing learnt skills can reap the reward of a more harmonious relationship with our children.

Work Related Stress

We spend much of our waking lives in the work place and can find ourselves with difficulties that affect our work, home environment and personal relationships. The issues can be numerous and are no less important than other areas of our lives. Conflict with employers/colleagues or demands by clients and customers can bring about a feeling of over load and helplessness at times. Finding strategies to deal with these problems can make the difference between being happy in your workplace or dreading each working day.