Michelle (MHL) has specialised in Couple and Relationship Counselling for over 20 years.

In conducting her counselling services, MHL invites individuals or couples to talk openly about their relationship, intimacy, communication issues and their families in a supportive, safe and confidential environment.

In practice, clients will participate in tasks that involve acquiring new skills and knowledge, relevant to their own relationship concerns. Empathy is an essential quality in resolving any form of conflict. By seeing the world through their partner’s eyes and making the connection between each other’s thoughts & feelings, they can potentially act in ways, that let each other know that, they are understood, that they are heard, and most importantly, that they matter.

MHL provides Couples Counselling for partners over 18yrs of age, regardless of culture, disability, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.

The normal intention of Couples Counselling is to assist partners who have been or are experiencing struggles and challenges in their relationship and get back them on track. However it may also assist in the amicable dismantling of a relationship for couples that are facing the daunting prospect & difficulties involved with separation or divorce.

Relationship counselling works on the basis of recognising the connections between the wider social context, such as family issues, work relationships, community, culture and how they impact on us and our significant others.

• Relationship issues.
• Resolving conflicts.
• Couples hoping to repair a relationship before it is too late.
• Sexual problems / Intimacy issues.
• Couples looking to end a relationship in a healthy way.
• Couples who are about to make a long term commitment such as marriage or having a child and want to improve their relationship before moving forward.
• Affairs
• Arguing and conflict
• Communication
• Cultural issues
• Emotional needs
• Infidelity
• Intimacy
• Pregnancy
• Miscarriage
• mourning
• Neglect
• Religious beliefs
• Separation
• Sexual Relationship
• Sexuality
• Social Pressure
• Trust

A general approach to Couples Counselling will consist of the following:

Within the Initial Consultation, information about the structure and duration of Couples Counselling is given; this would be comprised of a block of four sequential meetings as follows:

• Session 1: Joint Session – Assessment Interview (duration 50 mins).
• Session 2: Partner 1 – History Taking (duration 50 mins).
• Session 3: Partner 2 – History Taking (duration 50 mins).
• Session 4: Joint Session – Round Table (duration 50 mins).

In session one the objective is to:

1. Set the scene.
2. Gather information.
3. Give Information.
4. Plan for the future.

In sessions two to three history taking from individual partners is taken to assess suitability for treatment based upon antecedents.

In session four the clients are informed of whether they are suitable candidates for Couples Counselling. If so a contract of ongoing treatment is agreed.