Who this service is for
We offer a service for couples who are having difficulties in their relationship, irrespective of their marital status, their gender, living together or apart.
Problems for couples can arise following a life change or crisis to do with work, illness, separation, infertility, bereavement, the arrival of children, or any number of other matters affecting their relationship. Their difficulties may be experienced emotionally, sexually, or indeed physically in other ways.
Why refer to this service
This service is unique within the NHS. Our aim is to provide a safe setting in which partners can explore their relationship and come to understand their difficulties better, so that they may be able to develop and change things. This does not always mean that they stay together. Understanding more can make it easier to stay, but if the decision is made to separate, having some consultations here may help the couple to do so more thoughtfully.
The work is based on a psychoanalytic model which means that both conscious and unconscious processes are given consideration in order to make sense of the difficulties experienced in the relationship.
Treatment offered
When a couple is referred, we write inviting them to fill out a short questionnaire about themselves and the nature of their difficulties together, and invite them to telephone to arrange an appointment. As a result of the assessment consultation(s), couples may be offered a series of regular weekly sessions which last for 60 minutes each. These may be with one therapist or sometimes with two. There is a waiting list for regular sessions.
How to refer to this service
Referrals should be made by the patient's GP or other mental health professional.
For further information please call our service administrator on 020 8938 3219.
