Communication: In my experience many “stand offs” in relationships are caused by breakdown in communication. Not listening to one another, butting in defensively when the other is talking – when you are talking you are not listening. Assuming that the other person knows what you mean and that they can understand your perspective when the opposite is often the case, and that they can read your mind, or that you can read theirs. Often this is the first line of exploration and comparatively easily addressed through practising the Couples Dialogue – an exercise that you can get used to in between sessions at your weekly meetings together.

Life Stage Transitions: Adjusting to new situations: a new baby; miscarriage; children leaving home; loss of partner through death or divorce/separation; death of close family relations; co-parenting: aging; redundancy; retirement. All these events require good communication and collaboration to navigate. A neutral third party can often give you a new perspective.