Online Therapy for
Better relationships begin with understanding
Relationship difficulties are one of the most common reasons people seek therapy. Whether you're struggling in a romantic partnership, dealing with family conflict, or finding friendships and social connections difficult, therapy can help you understand your relationship patterns, communicate more effectively, and build the connections you want.
General information, not medical advice
This page is for general information and does not diagnose, treat, or replace advice from a GP or other qualified health professional. If symptoms are new, severe, worsening, or you are worried about your safety, seek appropriate medical or urgent support.
Signs and symptoms
You might be experiencing relationship issues if you recognise any of the following:
- Repeated arguments about the same issues without resolution
- Feeling emotionally disconnected from a partner or loved one
- Difficulty communicating feelings or needs effectively
- Patterns of conflict, distance, or dysfunction across relationships
- Jealousy, trust issues, or difficulty with vulnerability
- Co-dependency or unhealthy attachment patterns
- Recovering from infidelity or breach of trust
- Loneliness within a relationship or repeatedly in relationships
What causes relationship issues?
Relationship Issues is rarely caused by a single factor. Common contributing factors include:
- Attachment styles formed in early childhood relationships
- Unresolved personal issues or trauma being triggered in relationships
- Communication differences and poor conflict resolution skills
- Major life changes stressing the relationship (new baby, illness, money)
- Infidelity, dishonesty, or broken trust
- Different values, life goals, or expectations
How therapy can help
Talking therapy helps you understand the patterns you bring to relationships, based on your attachment history, core beliefs, and learned behaviours, often by talking through them with someone outside the relationship who has no stake in the outcome. You'll develop greater self-awareness, communication skills, and the ability to form and maintain healthier connections.
Therapeutic approaches we use
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Focuses on emotional bonds and attachment needs that may sit underneath relationship conflicts. Suitability depends on each person's circumstances and safety.
Attachment-Based Therapy
Explores how early attachment experiences may relate to current relationship patterns and possible ways of responding differently.
Schema Therapy
Addresses deep-seated patterns (schemas) formed in childhood that repeatedly create difficulties in adult relationships.
CBT for Relationships
Helps identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours in relationships, jealousy, criticism, withdrawal, people-pleasing.
Frequently asked questions
Should I do individual or couples therapy?
Individual therapy helps you understand your own patterns; couples therapy addresses the dynamic between two people. Both have value. For many issues, individual therapy is the right starting point.
Can therapy save a relationship?
Therapy may help people understand relationship patterns, communicate, and make informed decisions, but it cannot guarantee that a relationship will continue or improve. Joint work may be unsuitable where there is coercion, fear, or abuse.
Can I attend therapy without my partner knowing?
Individual therapy can explore relationship patterns without the other person attending. Ask the therapist to explain confidentiality and its safeguarding or legal limits.
Can therapy help with loneliness?
Yes. Persistent loneliness often reflects patterns in how we relate to others. Therapy can help you understand and change those patterns.
Content information and sources
Editorial status: Content checked against UK clinical guidance and NHS information. Reviewed . This is an editorial check; no named clinician is represented as having reviewed this page.
Authoritative UK sources relevant to this topic:
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