The Couple Psychotherapy Service

How couple psychotherapy works.

Couple Psychotherapy explores relationships at greater depth than many forms of counselling or other therapies. It draws on and extends the insights of psychoanalysis to understand the difficulties couples can sometimes face.

Couple Psychotherapy aims to help partners:

• Increase their understanding of underlying problems as well as more obvious difficulties between them.
• Reduce the power of disappointments and hurts, both past and present, thereby freeing them to discover new ways of relating.
• Open a way to greater fulfilment both as part of a couple and as individuals.

Couple Psychotherapy can also help separating partners:

• Clarify their feelings and the choices they could make.
• Explore the underlying reasons for their difficulties.
• Mourn the loss of the relationship.
• Make parting as constructive as possible for all concerned.

What professional qualifications do your therapists have?

All our psychotherapists have had years of substantial postgraduate training in couple psychoanalytic psychotherapy, most often at the TCCR. They come from a variety of professional therapeutic backgrounds, and therefore have a wealth of clinical experience. Some also work with individuals as psychoanalytic psychotherapists, psychoanalysts or Jungian analysts.

All our psychotherapists are registered with the UKCP; are bound by the society's and the UKCP's code of ethics and are held accountable via their complaints procedures.

Who is couple psychotherapy for?

Anybody who is concerned about their relationship and wants to improve their relationship, or is thinking about separating.
It will be most beneficial to those who want to explore how their problems have arisen and find out how to effect change, or why they have been unable to change in the past.

Who takes part in the sessions?

Generally both partners attend together but separate sessions are sometimes arranged by agreement. Sometimes we can offer couples two therapists who will work with them together.

What happens in the first session?

The first session is usually a consultation where you will discuss your relationship problems with the therapist. There will be an opportunity for you to ask questions and to get to know how your therapist works. Part of the consultation is to discuss whether ongoing psychotherapy is appropriate or indeed wanted. If this is the case then times and fees are usually negotiated here.

What happens in a typical session?

Sessions typically last between 50 and 60 minutes, though this varies depending on the therapist.
You and your partner are invited to discuss and explore the issues between you in as great a depth as you are comfortable with. Your therapist will help you explore the underlying reasons for your difficulties. These reasons might come from your conscious or unconscious and relate to experiences in your past.

How long will therapy last?

Our therapists generally offer an open-ended arrangement, but occasionally a fixed number of sessions are agreed. The therapy generally lasts for as long as the couple feel they want and need it. The ending of the therapy is usually discussed and planned well in advance.

How much does it cost?

Each psychotherapist sets their own fees; some may negotiate reductions according to means. The couple psychotherapy service does not set fees for its members, but typically sessions cost between £50 and £120.

Is my confidentially assured?

Therapists are bound by our code of ethics to hold confidential anything that happens during sessions.

Where are your psychotherapists located?

Our psychotherapists work in private consulting rooms. Many of them are located in and around London, but we also have members in other parts of the country.

How do I arrange therapy?

You can

• Call our anwserphone service at 0870 902 4878.
• Fill in our online application form.

One of our therapists will then contact you within one working day.

We will endeavour to put you in touch with a psychotherapist who can offer you an appointment within two weeks, taking into consideration your location, times available and other relevant circumstances.

Our duty psychotherapist will be pleased to discuss any queries you may have about couple psychotherapy, our service and whether a referral to us is appropriate.
If referral to a CPS psychotherapist proves not to be practical or appropriate we will, if you request it, aim to help you locate a therapist who is more suitable.