A relationship counsellor provides a safe space, and a neutral third party, to help a couple discuss any issues they might be having. This could include a breakdown in communication, recovering from a breach in trust, or a change in relationship dynamics. The role of the relationship counsellor will depend on the couple, but the counsellor may help identify gaps in communication, as well as patterns of unhealthy behaviours, and may promote understanding.

The percentage has varied significantly over the years, but according to the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, the success rate of marriage counselling is 70%. This number is fairly dated today, but in general, most couples report being satisfied with the outcome of marriage counselling. Couples who are committed to staying together can expect a higher chance of success the earlier they seek help, as relationships already in the breakdown stage can be more difficult to salvage.

Couples therapy and couples counselling are overlapping terms that usually mean the same thing. That said, counselling usually focuses on specific issues or day-to-day challenges, like frequent arguments or a rough patch, while therapy may explore deeper patterns, emotional wounds, or long-term dynamics in the relationship.

Only you can know how you feel about your relationship, but you can start by asking if there’s still love, care, or a shared willingness to try. No relationship is perfect, but if both people are open to change, respectful of one another, and invested in making things better, that’s a strong foundation. Therapy can help you figure this out too, not by handing you the answer, but by creating space for honest conversations.

There’s no one solution that works for everyone, but many couples find emotionally focused therapy (EFT) or the Gottman Method to be especially helpful. These approaches, which we specialise in at Sentient Professional Wellbeing, focus on improving communication, deepening emotional connection, and understanding each other’s needs and patterns.

This really depends on the couple and what they’re working through. Some people find they get what they need in just a few sessions, while others choose to continue for several months or more. Many couples start weekly and then taper off as things improve, and some reports have suggested that the average length of couples counselling is 12-25 sessions, which may take 4-10 months, depending on the frequency of the appointments.

This is a method to promote safe, conflict-free communication between individuals in a relationship, and it’s pretty simple. One partner speaks for five minutes, then the other partner speaks for five minutes. Finally, the couple comes together to discuss collaboratively for five minutes. There are a few reasons this can be effective, but importantly, the 5-5-5 rule erases the pressure to respond, as well as the temptation to discount what the speaking party is saying, which promotes more active listening.