We’ll start with a session where both of you come together. During this session, we’ll explain how therapy works.

Understanding Your Relationship Challenges
Let’s take a look at what’s been going on in your relationship. We’ll talk about the challenges you’re facing and get a good sense of how things are between you two.

What Do You Hope to Achieve?
Think about what you’re hoping to get out of couples counselling. What’s not working for you individually, and what changes would you like to see? This is your chance to share what’s on your mind.

Ask Anything
Feel free to ask any questions or voice any concerns you might have before jumping into counselling. It's important that you feel comfortable and know what to expect.

Getting Comfortable with Counselling
I'll help you understand what couples counselling is all about and how it can help you both. It’s important for you to know how this process can benefit your relationship.

Creating Your Support Plan
Together, we’ll come up with a support plan that works for you. This might include some reading materials, worksheets, and things to work on at home between sessions.  This will also include an indviudal session each.

Scheduling Your Sessions
Let’s talk about the practical side of things, like when sessions can happen. There are appointments available during the day, in the evenings, face to face and online. Each session usually lasts about 50 minutes, but sometimes I may suggest 90-minute sessions if more time is needed for your situation.

After the initial meeting, each partner will have a separate session with me. (this will be agreed during our first session). These individual sessions help us dive deeper into personal feelings and thoughts. Individual sessions are an important part of couples therapy. They help each partner share personal thoughts and feelings without the other present. I’ll ensure that nothing discussed in these sessions is kept secret from the other partner to maintain trust in the relationship. If something significant comes up in an individual session that needs to be shared, I’ll work with that partner to communicate it to the other partner.

• Our therapy process will begin with an initial session where we will meet together as a couple. During this session, we will outline how the therapy sessions will work and collaboratively establish the goals you wish to achieve. 
• Following this initial meeting, we will conduct individual sessions for each partner. After the individual sessions, we will reconvene for joint couples therapy sessions. In these sessions, we will address any insights or topics that emerged from the individual sessions.
•  It is important to note that individual sessions may be necessary at various points during the couples therapy process. If this is the case, we will discuss the need for these sessions with both of you to ensure everyone is on the same page.

While it may seem counterintuitive, individual sessions are a vital component of the couples therapy process. I understand that it can be concerning to think about a partner sharing personal or sensitive information with me as the counsellor without the opportunity to respond. It is essential to clarify that these individual sessions are not “private” in the traditional sense; the information discussed is not deemed “off limits” to the other partner. As the cousnellor I will set this expectation at the beginning of each individual session. The establishment of secrets could create an alliance between myslef as the counsellor and the partner who disclosed the information, which would undermine the trust that has been built within the therapeutic relationship with the couple as a whole.  If any significant information is shared during an individual session that should be communicated to the partner, as the counsellor I will work collaboratively with the individual to facilitate the sharing of that information. 

Individuals often behave differently when alone compared to when they are with their partner. This is a natural aspect of human behaviour; we adapt our actions based on the specific context and the people around us. As the counsellor it gives me the opportunity to engage with each partner in a one-on-one setting, and I can gain a clearer understanding of that partner's desires and needs. Individual sessions allow partners to express their concerns and fears about the relationship freely and openly, without the immediate presence of their partner. By incorporating individual sessions into the couples therapy process, my aim is to create a more comprehensive understanding of each partner's perspective, ultimately fostering a healthier and more effective therapeutic experience for both individuals and the couple as a whole.