eliserileytherapy.com

Couple Psychoanalytic
Psychotherapy

Being in a couple can stir up strong and sometimes confusing feelings. At times, these can be hard to express, and partners may find themselves reacting in ways that feel out of character or difficult for the other to understand. This can lead to patterns of conflict, distance or hurt that feel hard to shift.

Couple psychoanalytic psychotherapy offers a space to slow things down and think together about what may be happening in the relationship. Rather than focusing only on what is being argued about, the work pays attention to the underlying emotional dynamics between partners.

Therapy can be short- or longer-term and is open to couples of all backgrounds and sexual orientations.

It may be helpful when there are

Ongoing communication difficulties
Repetitive or escalating arguments
Parenting challenges
Betrayal or loss of trust
Anxiety or low mood affecting the relationship
Sexual or intimacy difficulties
Conflict about money or life decisions
Feelings of distance, disconnection or loneliness
Questions around separation or staying together

The focus is on the relationship itself, as well as each partner’s experience within it. With support, couples can begin to recognise the patterns they may feel caught in, understand each other differently, and find new ways of relating that feel less stuck and more manageable.

If you are unsure what kind of support may be most helpful, you are welcome to get in touch for an initial conversation.