The relationships you have with your family have a big impact on how happy you are.

If you’re having problems in your family life, there are lots of ways Relate can help you. You might be a parent who needs help with how a break up might affect your family, or need help relating to your children or step-children. You might be a young person worried about your parents splitting up, or need a bit of help dealing with your parents. You might need help in your relationships with your brothers and sisters.

Every family is different and there are many reasons for wanting to improve your family relationships.

Family counselling helps you to understand and cope better with the stresses and strains of family life.

Families can be a source of support, encouragement and love but sometimes relationships within families are put under strain and family members feel isolated or overlooked.

Family counselling can help when siblings aren’t getting on, or when parents are going through a divorce or separation. Forming a new family is a challenge and it is at this point that many parents contact Relate for some support. Our counsellors don’t take sides or tell you what to do, but they do provide a safe space to explore your differences without it turning into an argument.

Whatever difficulties you’re having as a family, we can help.

What can I expect in Family Counselling?

You will meet with a counsellor, who will provide confidential and non-judgemental support, and who will encourage everyone who comes to have their say and to share their feelings, if they wish.

At the first appointment, the counsellor will ask you to talk through what’s happening, and what you’d like to change. You will then work with the counsellor to decide what happens next.

Counselling is a different experience for everyone, and what happens in your sessions will depend very much on what you hope to get out of it, and on the unique needs of your family.

You can expect Family Counselling to help you to build stronger relationships between family members and help you to work together as a team.

How can Family Counselling help me?

If you’re having problems as a family, whatever’s causing them, Family Counselling can help the family to communicate better, and to understand and resolve differences.

When families go through change, it can be difficult to learn to adapt. Counselling can help family members to support one another through these difficult times, to reduce conflict and arguments and grow stronger as a result.

If you’re considering separation or divorce, or if you’ve already separated, your counsellor will give you guidance and practical support.

You can also get dedicated support in parenting teenagers, which can help you and your family through some of the challenges of this difficult period.

“It’s amazing how many parents realize the extent to which their child has bottled up their feelings – once the child feels safe, they can speak openly for the first time…. Children really appreciate being listened to. They pick up on conflict and if they don’t have another outlet it can badly affect them” – Relate Family Counsellor

To find out more, or to book an appointment:

Contact us: Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm (3.00pm Friday)

  • Phone: 01908 310010, 07484096166 or 07484096479 (this number is only available at limited times)
  • Email: appointment@relatemk.org