Photo of Nicola louise Parker, Psychotherapist in PL2, England
Nicola louise Parker
Psychotherapist, MBACP
Verified Verified
I offer counselling and psychotherapeutic work for adults, couples, young people, children and groups.
I aim to offer a service which is as unique as you are! We all experience life in different ways and I do not believe that there is a one fits all solution that works for everyone. My belief is that we are the only experts on ourselves and that we do have all the resources we need to be happy and fulfilled in our lives, for some of us we just don’t know it yet or maybe we have just lost the confidence to believe in ourselves. I welcome you to explore and challenge your beliefs and values to help you find the best way in life for you, the one that fits and allows you to work towards that wonderful goal of being you again
I offer counselling and psychotherapeutic work for adults, couples, young people, children and groups.
I aim to offer a service which is as unique as you are! We all experience life in different ways and I do not believe that there is a one fits all solution that works for everyone. My belief is that we are the only experts on ourselves and that we do have all the resources we need to be happy and fulfilled in our lives, for some of us we just don’t know it yet or maybe we have just lost the confidence to believe in ourselves. I welcome you to explore and challenge your beliefs and values to help you find the best way in life for you, the one that fits and allows you to work towards that wonderful goal of being you again
01752 395819 View 01752 395819

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Couples Counselling

Does couples counseling work?

Research shows that couples counseling is effective; it can reduce relationship distress and improve emotional awareness, communication, empathy, intimacy, and overall relationship satisfaction. For example, emotionally focused therapy was found to be effective for about 75 percent of couples, and those benefits lasted at least two years.

When should a couple seek counseling?

Couples can benefit from counseling if they consistently struggle in their relationship. They may have lost the ability to communicate effectively, become entrenched in harmful patterns, begun to fight more than usual, broken the other’s trust, suffered from a mental or physical illness, or faced any number of other challenges. Many therapists offer free consultations, so if a couple isn’t sure whether therapy is necessary, asking directly can provide clarity.

How can I get my partner to go to couples therapy?

The decision to seek couples therapy is often driven by one partner, who then convinces the other to participate. When discussing the idea, the initiator should be direct and assertive. They can state the problems they see and explain how the relationship would benefit from therapy. In more serious cases, they can also explain how their relationship may suffer without making any changes or seeking professional help.

How does a couple prepare for couples counseling?

The anticipation of beginning couples counseling can be difficult—sometimes more difficult than the first session itself. Taking a few moments to reflect can allay those concerns: What are the current challenges? When and how did they begin? What do they want the relationship to look like in the future? Reflecting on these questions can help individuals or couples articulate their goals. Of course, the therapist will also ask questions and guide couples through the process.