These are the most common reasons couples seek therapy—from learning how to talk and how to disagree constructively to having a relationship top up and maintenance.

• Communication Breakdown: Learning to express needs, feelings, and thoughts clearly without criticism, defensiveness, or contempt.

• Active Listening: Developing skills to truly hear and understand a partner's perspective rather than planning a rebuttal.

• Conflict Management: Identifying unproductive or destructive conflict cycles and replacing them with healthier, regulated problem-solving strategies.

• Gridlocked Issues: Working through perpetual, ongoing disagreements (often related to personality or core values) to reach acceptance or compromise.

Emotional Connection and Intimacy

This involves restoring warmth, affection, and shared purpose within the relationship.

• Emotional Distance: Addressing feelings of loneliness or disconnect within the relationship and rebuilding emotional closeness.

• Intimacy and Sex: Discussing sexual satisfaction, desires, frequency differences, and addressing issues related to Sex-Positive/ENM (Ethical Non-Monogamy) dynamics.

• Affection and Romance: Rediscovering ways to show appreciation, care, and affection to keep the relationship vibrant.

• Trust and Commitment: Working through issues of infidelity (emotional or physical) or rebuilding security after breaches of trust.

Life Transitions and External Stressors

Couples often struggle when external demands place stress on the relationship structure.

• Parenthood Challenges: Adjusting to becoming parents, managing shared responsibilities, and coordinating different parenting styles.

• Financial Stress: Addressing conflicts over spending, saving, debt, or differing financial philosophies.

• Work-Life Balance: Managing stress from careers and ensuring the relationship remains a priority.

• Extended Family Issues: Setting healthy boundaries with in-laws, parents, or extended family members that might be creating friction within the couple.

• Adjusting to retirement and creating new life and relationship goals

Differing Values and Specialised Dynamics

This covers conflicts rooted in core beliefs, past experiences, or unique relationship structures.

• Life Goals: Aligning or accepting differences in long-term goals for children, living location, or lifestyle.

• Past Baggage: Exploring how individual trauma or past relationship experiences (Psychodynamic-Interpersonal Therapy) impact current couple dynamics.

• LGBTQIA+ and Affirming Care: Addressing unique challenges, societal pressures, and communication needs specific to queer relationships.

• Neurodiversity: Understanding how neurodevelopmental differences (ADHD, Autism) impact communication, emotional expression, and relational expectations.

Couples counselling helps partners identify the cycle of their conflict, rather than focusing on the content of the fight, allowing them to shift from reacting to one another to collaborating as a team.