Relationship Counselling
Chris Cowen – qualified and experienced Relationship Counsellor in Exeter
Relationships are central for most of us and reflect a very deep human need. We all want to be recognised, accepted and loved, but seek it in our own and often very different ways.
This starts in childhood and sets patterns that typically carry on into adulthood. These can be unhelpful, even destructive, particularly if abuse or trauma has occurred and often repeat themselves at home, socially or at work.
Relationship counselling helps you understand how these things happen and make it possible to change things for the better.
Peas In A Pod!
Being in any relationship is a bit like a pea in a pod. Each pea is separate and distinct and yet together form something bigger. This goes to the root of many relationship difficulties.
Too much ‘togetherness’ and you lose your sense of self-identity and become overly needy and dependent. Too much ‘separateness’ and you become distant, remote and lose the very essence of relationship. Either way, without a proper balance, you rarely achieve a truly fulfilled relationship.
Relationship Counselling allows you to discover your own point of balance and identify where it could usefully change.
The Empathy Gap
Perhaps one of the hardest things for any of us to fully understand is how different we can be to one another. We may accept this logically and yet still be unable to grasp just how another person can experience the same thing so differently. This creates an empathy gap, which leads to misunderstanding and eventually to conflict.
Whether as an individual or as part of a couple, Relationship Counselling helps you grasp the full importance of empathetic understanding.
Conflict and Relationships
Most people prefer harmony and dislike the idea of conflict. Yet in any relationships, it happens from time to time. If unresolved it builds up in the background, creating underlying tensions. Sooner or later it becomes unbearable and finds outlets that are usually unhelpful or destructive:
- ongoing bickering and argument;
- angry and sometimes violent outbursts;
- passive aggressive behaviour and other expressions of resentment;excessive use of alcohol, drugs, food, work, and various forms of self-harm;
- ill health including anxiety and depression.
Bridging the empathy gap and resolving conflict can be some of the most challenging and yet rewarding work done in Relationship Counselling.
If you would like more information then please follow any of the links on this page or contact me directly. I always look forward to talking to new people and I’m very happy to answer any questions you may have about relationship counselling for individuals or couples, counselling in general or life coaching.
If I’m not available when you call then please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I can.