A romantic relationship is one of the closest we have as humans. Choosing a partner and staying together through life’s twists and turns is rarely simple. When we choose to get together and raise a family, unsurprisingly this only adds to the complexity.

Couple therapy is a means of resolving problems and conflicts that couples have not been able to handle effectively on their own. It involves both partners sitting down with a trained psychotherapist to discuss their thoughts and feelings. It is a form of therapy that looks to improve communication and resolve issues within an intimate relationship.

The overall aim of couples counselling is to help you do the following:

• Understand how external factors such as family values, religion, lifestyle and culture affect your relationship.
• Reflect on the past and how it operates in the present.
• Communicate in a more constructive way.
• Learn why arguments escalate.
• Negotiate and resolve conflicts where possible.