Individual Relationship Therapy

“We are bonding animals; connection with others is our deepest emotional need”
Sue Johnson

Struggling to maintain loving, trusting and supportive connections?

When you are struggling with a broken relationship, life can feel sad and lonely and often ignored. You may be unsure whether to stay in or leave a relationship, or if repair is even possible.

Whether single, separated or divorced, you may have noticed repeating relationship patterns that harm your connections with others and be wondering how change is possible. If you’re worried that your family’s patterns of intimacy are repeating, you may find yourself longing for a different kind of closeness with friends, family and partners.

Individual relationship therapy offers time that is just for you – a confidential space to express your needs and the challenges you are experiencing – giving you support to help build the healthy, loving connections you desire.

What is individual relationship therapy?

Individual therapy focuses solely on your experiences, thoughts and emotions related to your relationships. This can give you:

• One-to-one talking therapy – you come alone, and together we explore your relationships with partners, family, friends, and yourself.
• A safe space for exploration with a focus on you and your relationships – your values, identity, patterns, boundaries, attachment needs, and ways of communicating.
• An investment to build the connections right for you – starting with curiosity about what’s happening in your relationships now and a willingness to explore what could change in the future.

It’s dedicated time to work through your personal challenges, without the presence of a partner, allowing for deep personal growth and understanding.

I offer individual relationship therapy in Ealing (W13 / W5) and online across the UK. Our sessions are a dedicated space where you can step back from the demands of daily living and attend to your deepest emotional needs.

How relationship therapy can help

As we start to explore the challenging aspects of your relationships, you may begin to feel calmer and steadier in daily life. We’ll focus on the “what and how” you communicate, and in therapy, you can try out new ways of communicating your needs and your personal limits, which may have contributed to misunderstandings, arguments, and division.

We’ll develop a greater understanding of where your relationship patterns come from (early experiences, family roles, past relationships) and the patterns that support building a more compassionate relationship with yourself and those you care about.

As you express your needs in a more productive manner, and communicate more clearly, you will feel clearer and more confident in your choices about changing a relationship, staying or leaving.

Common themes we might explore together

Every individual experiences unique challenges in their relationships. Here are some of the common relationship issues I encounter in my work:

• Feeling like you are “walking on eggshells” – losing your voice to “keep the peace” or a lot of hurtful, unproductive arguments.
• Being unseen or unappreciated – Recognition of what you bring to your relationship has ceased. A belief has crept in that nothing you do is enough.
• Grief after a breakup, separation or divorce – Intense feelings of loss and confusion, and fear of being alone. Worry about repeating the same relational patterns again.
• Family patterns and values that no longer fit – Carrying expectations that your role in the family is fixed – the fixer, the peace-keeper, the strong one – and struggling to change this dynamic.
• Self-trust & Self-esteem – Choosing relationships that feel safe, kind and mutually supportive with healthy boundaries, self-respect, and recognition of red/amber flags.
• Acceptance of differences – Lack of understanding of personal values and communication can result in misunderstanding and conflict. A particularly common difference is “attitude to spending & saving money.”

Relationships can be difficult at times and taking time out to reflect on the difficulties is an investment in long-term happiness and wellbeing. Counselling gives support to make sense of your challenges and find deeper, more satisfying connections.

Why work with me?

Over many years, I’ve worked with adults in my private practice, counselling agencies, charities and support groups. Since 2022, I have also offered support to individuals via online counselling.

I have provided support to individuals, from eighteen to eighty, seeking therapy for a wide range of intimate and family relationship challenges.
I have undertaken specialist training focused on relationship issues.

Very importantly, I have been on the other side of the relationship therapy process, as a client. I know what it’s like to struggle to communicate well, negotiate conflict, and build consistently strong connections with people I love.

I am committed to, and have a passion for, the work I do – helping people to have the happy, healthy relationships they desire.

You can read more about my background and training on my About page.

What to expect

1. Introductory call

I offer a free 15-minute introductory call so we can see whether we feel like a good fit to work together, and you can ask any questions about individual relationship therapy.

2. First session

In our first session, there is space to explore in more detail what has brought you to therapy, who you are and what you’d like to be different. You set the pace.

3. Ongoing sessions

Sessions last 50 minutes and usually take place weekly, in person in Ealing (W13 / W5) or online across the UK.

• • I usually suggest committing to at least six sessions and then reviewing our work together
  • You decide what feels manageable in terms of time and duration
  • I’m not here to tell you what to do, but to help you reflect, understand your patterns, and move toward the changes you want

Is now the right time for relationship therapy?

You may have been quietly thinking, “my relationship feels broken,” for a while now. Perhaps you’re stuck in the same hurtful patterns, replaying moments long after they’ve passed, or noticing that even with caring friends, you still feel alone with the bigger questions. You might find yourself circling back to the idea of therapy, sensing deep down that something needs care and attention.

It’s completely natural to have doubts – wondering if things are “bad enough,” worrying that seeking help might be breaking confidences, or fearing that nothing will really change. These thoughts are simply signs of how much you’ve been holding on your own.

There’s no perfect moment to begin. Choosing support is just a gentle step toward giving yourself space, understanding, and hope.

If this sounds familiar, I’d be glad to support you. You’re welcome to get in touch for an introductory call.