Fay Hanniker

As a Relate - trained counsellor I work with individuals and couples facing challenges in their relationships. Some of the people I work with feel 'stuck', unable to resolve recurring issues. Others feel they have fallen out of love.It may be that the relationship has hit a crisis point - for example struggling with the aftermath of an affair or one partner being ready to leave. I also work with individuals who are dealing with the end of a relationship. I have considerable experience of working with parents on minimising the impact of divorce/ separation on children.

Research shows that the relationship between counsellor and client(s) is crucial in effective counselling. My aim is to provide a safe space in which individuals or couples can make sense of the issues and difficult feelings they are experiencing. I see my role as being to support my clients in a non- judgemental way, to help them reach an informed decision about the future of their relationship.

The purpose of the first session is to assess how relationship counselling can best support you , whether you are attending as a couple or as an individual. 

 If you are attending as an individual or as a couple, the session is about meeting me as it's important that you feel as comfortable as the situation allows as well as being a chance to give your take on what has brought you to counselling. From there, we can decide the best way to address what is happening. Very occasionally relationship counselling might not be the most appropriate form of support . If that were to be the case, I would signpost you to relevant support /resources.