Couples often come to counselling as a last resort, when their relationship is in crisis and they are at the point of breaking up. It is never too late to take stock and address the difficulties you are having, but the earlier you come the better the chance of a successful and sustainable outcome. People come because they have been arguing, going round in circles, feeling distanced from their partner emotionally and physically, and intimacy may have ceased. There may be issues around the children. Couples also come because one partner has had an affair. Today's social media and the internet offer more opportunities for sexting affairs and porn addiction, and what one partner sees as harmless, the other may see as betrayal.

I am a trained and experienced relationship counsellor, used to helping couples improve their communication, manage conflict, consider their attachment styles, and explore issues around intimacy. I was a family mediator with Gwent Mediation for many years, helping couples separating or divorcing with issues around their children, finance and property. In the past decade I have done specialised relationship training courses with Juliet Grayson and sex addiction with Paula Hall.

I usually see you and your partner separately first for a session each, when I will take a relationship history. Then we all meet together and agree the focus of our work. Some couples come for a few sessions, others need longer to resolve their issues. If you don't have a partner or your partner won't attend you are still welcome to come alone.