When a relationship is at a crossroads: when to seek counselling

Not every crisis leads to separation. Sometimes what's missing is a safe place to talk, with someone who listens to both of you and helps you see the whole picture.

Signs it's time to stop and look

• The same argument keeps coming back, unresolved
• A feeling of distance, or living like flatmates
• Difficulty talking about money, the children or the future
• One of you is already thinking about separating, and the other doesn't know

What happens in counselling

In couples counselling you learn to listen differently, recognise recurring patterns and find new ways to communicate. Some couples discover they want to stay together; others realise separating is right for them, and do it with understanding and respect.

The advantage of working with someone who is also a lawyer and mediator is continuity: if you decide to separate, you can continue in the same safe space to mediation and an agreement.