The Miracle Question

Do you sometimes wonder if it’s going to take a miracle to find the solution to your relationship problems?

You’re not on your own. We often feel powerless or helpless in the face of relationship or marital difficulties – we desperately want our relationship to be better, but we’re often at a total loss as to how to achieve it or even where to start. We can find ourselves going over the same old ground and getting nowhere with our partners.

We all know what we don’t want from the relationship:

  • We don’t want to fight about housework anymore.
  • We don’t want to disagree over money.
  • We don’t want to argue about other family members.
  • (please feel free to add your own relationship “don’t want” list)

However, we aren’t always aware of what we do want. It’s all to easy for us to play the blame game with our partners, but that doesn’t give us a direction towards what we do want.  It’s like saying, “I want to get away from here”, and then not knowing which particular direction to head, because all directions lead away from here.

So how can we set a direction? How can we decide where we want our relationship to be in the future? How do we decide I want this kind of relationship rather than that kind? The answer, surprisingly enough, is to think about what would happen if a miracle occurred.

Try it now. Imagine that while you were asleep, all the problems that have been bothering you and your partner; your job and money, the arguments, your in law/blended family issues, -everything was fixed.

Take a minute to think about it:

  • Where would you be?
  • What would be the first thing your partner would do?
  • How would you respond?
  • How would you feel towards your partner?
  • What would their attitude to you be like?
  • What would your relationship be like?

It’s a weird way of thinking about things isn’t it? It’s called the “The Miracle Question” and it’s an intervention from the Solution-Focused school of therapy.  In the right hands and as part of the counselling process, it can really empower people to ‘think outside of the box’, and opens up all sorts of new possibilities and outcomes for the future.

By using the miracle question a counsellor can build up a very detailed picture of what you want to achieve from couple counselling. You can then start to formulate a number of specific goals for your relationship. As soon as you allow yourself to imagine what might be, you have a direction to head towards. As part of the ongoing counselling process the Miracle Question also allows us to explore and identify the root of the relationship problems.

Relationship change becomes more attainable and can happen quite quickly when we focus on walking towards instead of walking away from. The Miracle Question is one of a series of solution focused interventions which can be used flexibly to help you achieve happiness in your relationship.


Andrea Sheehy MBACP CCRelate

Andrea Sheehy is qualified couple, relationship and marriage counsellor with over 17 year experience. Andrea's practice is based in Hinckley which is on the border of Leicestershire and North Warwickshire. For more information about how couple counselling helps, visit her website: http://www.andrea-sheehy.com

Copyright Andrea Sheehy 2010. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: The content is for general information only and may or may not relate to your individual situation. If this article raises concerns please speak to a professional in your area

Contact her on   01455 612 167

How to Protect Your Relationship on Holiday and Have a Stress-Free Break

Filed under: Relationships — Tags: , , , — andrea @

Relationship Tips and Tools for avoiding holiday conflict.

Forty million of us in the UK will be heading off on holiday in July and August hoping to catch up with some R&R along with some summer sunshine.

At the top of most couples holiday wish list is a desire that the holiday is stress-free and relaxing – after all that’s the whole point of them. Unfortunately summer holidays can offer the potential for any underlying relationship tensions to hit the surface. Rather than being a much needed break from work-related and/or relationship stress, our summer holiday can end up in long, strong silence’s, arguments and resentment. Many relationship counsellors report that there is a significant increase in couples seeking counselling in September and I too have noticed this at my own counselling practice.

 

What Triggers Conflict

Everyone wants their holiday to be stress-free, but each of us has different ideas about what we want to do. For instance we might want to spend a large amount of time on the beach, while our partner’s ideal break is trawling the local markets for bargains or on the golf course.

Sometimes one half of a couple may find it very difficult to switch off from work or other commitments back at home, this can leave the other feeling uncared for or feeling that the relationship is unimportant. This too can create resentment or arguments.

For many synchronizing the right amount of time off work combined with organizing all the other practicalities can put a strain on the relationship before leaving.

There are also a lot of financial pressures for couples these days and holidays can be expensive, especially if you have to go during the school holidays. This can cause arguments about spending money.

Relationship problems seldom happen overnight; they tend to build up over time. Couples can sometimes fool themselves into believing a holiday will solve everything on it’s own. If there are underlying relationship tensions, they often surface on holiday. Partners can feel discouraged or exasperated because the holiday does not offer the answer to deeper relationship problems.

Here are four simple tips to reduce your chances of arguing on holiday:

 

1, Before you go.

Make some time to sit down together and explore what you both want from your holiday – you may have quite different expectations. Talking about it openly in advance gives you the opportunity to learn what each other is hoping for. Focus on what you do want rather than what you don’t want. This keeps the flow of energy positive and any tensions are less likely to surface.

You may need to negotiate, for example if one of you values time alone and the other enjoys spending most of the time together, you might need to come up with some clever compromising on how you balance your time.

2, Avoid Misunderstanding

Agree in advance who is taking responsibility for what, for example:

* Who is booking the holiday

* Who does the packing for the holiday

* Who is doing the driving, both to the destination and on the holiday itself.

* Who is responsible for entertaining any young children on the journey

 

  • Money is a thorny topic at the best of times; agree in advance how much you going to spend and how you are going to divide it, and stick to what you have agreed on.

3, Escape the rat race?

Explore together what is an acceptable amount of time to spend on mobiles or the Internet while you are on holiday. Negotiate – be prepared to be flexible and accommodating with each other. This shows that you are both taking the relationship seriously and offering reassurance that the relationship is important to you both.

4, Don’t confuse quantity with quality.

A desire to be close or feeling connected, doesn’t mean you have to spend every minute of every day together. Doing separate activities means that you can both get your needs met even if you enjoy different things. In addition to allowing each of you personal space, agreeing to spend some time apart allows each of you to feel respected and trusted within the relationship. Sharing different experiences and news over a drink or a meal later on can be a wonderful way of showing interest in each other which in turn creates a feeling of connectedness.

Holidays can be a fantastic way for couples to enjoy some quality time together. Good, open communication in advance of a holiday can go a long way to stop misunderstandings and alleviate tension.


Andrea Sheehy MBACP CCRelate

Andrea Sheehy is qualified couple, relationship and marriage counsellor with over 17 year experience. Andrea's practice is based in Hinckley which is on the border of Leicestershire and North Warwickshire. For more information about how couple counselling helps, visit her website: http://www.andrea-sheehy.com

Copyright Andrea Sheehy 2010. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: The content is for general information only and may or may not relate to your individual situation. If this article raises concerns please speak to a professional in your area

Contact her on   01455 612 167

Discover the secrets of successful counselling

5 tips to get the most out of marriage/couple counselling

When couples first get together they have the best of intentions and hope their relationship will last forever. Long lasting relationships are difficult to achieve however; the daily grind of day to day living, life-changes such as moving house, redundancy and blended/step families can all take a toll on our relationships.

It is unrealistic of us to expect our relationships to run smoothly all the time and most couples will experience relationship difficulties at some point. Many couples seek relationship or marriage counselling as soon as they realise there are problems, but often couples leave counselling until they are at crisis point perhaps believing in the so-called virtue of stoicism.

However, I believe that we can take charge of our relationships. The couple counselling process can really empower and assist couples who choose to address relationship problems. However, counselling alone can not save your marriage – only you can do that – but, during my 17 years in practice, I have seen many of my clients repair, rediscover and develop their relationships, even those who who were on the point of separation.

Here are my five tips to get the most out of your couple counselling experience

Tip 1: Make sure you get value for your money.
Arrive on time for your appointment, someone may have booked an appointment after you and so your counsellor may not be able to go over time. Arriving on time ensures that you get your full hour.

If you have already agreed on couple counselling and your partner can’t make an appointment, don’t turn up for the appointment on your own. The reason for this is that the counsellor will want to ensure that each of you is being treated the same.
If you call in advance there may be a creative compromise. At my own practice I have had telephone conferences when work commitments have prevented one partner from attending in the flesh.

Tip 2: Keep a diary or notebook
It is common for people to think about the counselling sessions in between appointments. Make a list of any questions, ideas or thoughts you have about the counselling process during the week. This will help you focus both on the issues you want to resolve in the relationship and any questions you have about the way your counsellor is working.

Tip 3: Commit to the counselling process
For couple counselling to be truly effective, both of you need to commit to the process – even if you are not sure whether you can commit to the relationship. Although part of a couple counsellor’s job is to motivate, guide and empower, you both need to be willing to allow this by reflecting on your own feelings, thoughts and behaviour during the sessions and in between appointments.

Tip 4: Meet each other half way
Accept that both of you contribute to the relationship issues in some way.
Most of us act with the best of intentions and many people are genuinely unaware that they might be contributing to the problems in their relationships. I see part of my counselling role as bringing this into your awareness and helping you both find a better way of being with each other.

Tip 5: Be willing to change
Over time if you are both willing to make some changes in the way you think, feel and behave, this can go along way in helping your marriage and the counselling process.

Counselling can empower, enable and guide you to repair and grow your relationship.

Couples who are most successful are the ones who recognize and understand that marriage requires maintenance, it doesn’t just “run” on it’s own. They are proactive both in the counselling room and remain active and engaged in the relationship at home. They are fully committed to working on and developing the relationship or the marriage.

 


Andrea Sheehy MBACP CCRelate

Andrea Sheehy is qualified couple, relationship and marriage counsellor with over 17 year experience. Andrea's practice is based in Hinckley which is on the border of Leicestershire and North Warwickshire. For more information about how couple counselling helps, visit her website: http://www.andrea-sheehy.com

Copyright Andrea Sheehy 2010. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: The content is for general information only and may or may not relate to your individual situation. If this article raises concerns please speak to a professional in your area

Contact her on   01455 612 167

How to Choose a Marriage/Couple Counsellor and Get Your Relationship Back on Track

If you have decided that your relationship has lost it’s way, it’s important to choose the right couple counsellor to help you make the changes.

Introduction

According to Mind, the leading mental health charity for England and Wales, around 300 people out of every 1,000 will experience some kind of emotional problem every year in Britain.

Troubled relationships in particular are thought to be among the key factors affecting rates of mental health and anxiety. Research consistently suggests that people who are in healthy, happy relationships are more protected from depression and anxiety than those who are single, divorced or separated.

“Talking therapies” such as counselling are fast becoming the treatment of choice for addressing issues such as depression, anxiety and of course relationship issues.

Although it would be impossible to work out how many people are thinking about or attending counselling at any time, the amount of qualified counsellors has more than doubled recently to keep up with public demand.

This does not necessarily mean that finding the right counsellor to suit your particular needs will come easily. For someone who is seriously considering seeing a counsellor for the first time, finding the right kind of help can be challenging. This is not intended to scare you away. I hope to inspire you to get the most from your counselling experience.

Here are Six Top Tips for Choosing a Couple Counsellor

Tip 1: Don’t Get Wedded to a Particular Counselling Theory

There are many different counselling schools and these are called modalities. Counsellors are usually trained in a particular modality (such as CBT, Gestalt, Person-Centred, TA to name a few). Contrary to popular belief (but it makes common sense when you think about it), the theory that a particular counsellor is trained in has no real bearing on the outcome you get – research shows that the modality is irrelevant.

What is relevant is both the relationship we have with our counsellor and our counsellors experience in the field we want to work because research shows that these are the consistent factors in successful counselling.

Tip 2: Choose a Counsellor that Specialises in Relationships

Having said that the modality is irrelevant, couple counselling is very different from one-to-one or individual counselling and does require some specialist knowledge. If you want to work on your relationship, it makes sense to choose a counsellor who has a specific qualification in couple counselling, regardless of the modality they use.

Tip 3: Find a Couple Counsellor With Plenty of Experience

Training is essential, but there is no substitute for experience. Ask your counsellor how many client-hours experience they have in working with couples. Look for at least a thousand hours.

Tip 4: You May Need to Consider seeing a Specialist

If you are experiencing relationship problems, it makes sense to see a couple counsellor who has qualifications and experience in the speciality you require; in the case of your love-life you might require psycho-sexual counselling, and other specialities are anger management and grief counselling.

Tip 5: Get a Free Consultation

The quality of the relationship between you and your counsellor is of paramount importance, and so many counsellors will offer a short free consultation – a sort of “get to know you” session of about 20 minutes. This is an opportunity to meet and discuss your needs. Use this time to discover whether you feel comfortable with the counsellor.

Tip 6: Questions You Need Answers To

Did the counsellor create a safe environment for you and your partner to talk? This can be:

  • Did you feel comfortable talking to the counsellor?
  • Physically: For example, is the room private and quiet or is there noise from outside which is disturbing. Are you concerned at some level that you may be overheard or do you feel it is easy to talk? Do both of you feel that the counsellor explained practicality’s such as:
    • confidentiality
    • fee structures
    • a schedule of appointments
  • Do you feel that the counsellor has the potency to work with you and your partner, for example:
    • were you given equal time
    • did the counsellor allow you to argue in the consulting room and simply listen or did the counsellor set boundaries
    • did you feel heard
    • did you and your partner intuitively feel you are in a safe pair of hands?

Conclusion

For couples whose relationship is in trouble, the task of finding a competent marriage or couple counsellor can be daunting because comparatively there are very few counsellors who have specialist knowledge and experience of working with couples, for a variety of reasons, working with couples is quite different from individual counselling or psychotherapy and does require specialist knowledge. A good place to start looking might be at the Couple Counselling Network they have a list of qualified and experienced couple counsellors practising in most areas of the UK


Andrea Sheehy MBACP CCRelate

Andrea Sheehy is qualified couple, relationship and marriage counsellor with over 17 year experience. Andrea's practice is based in Hinckley which is on the border of Leicestershire and North Warwickshire. For more information about how couple counselling helps, visit her website: http://www.andrea-sheehy.com

Copyright Andrea Sheehy 2010. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: The content is for general information only and may or may not relate to your individual situation. If this article raises concerns please speak to a professional in your area

Contact her on   01455 612 167

How To Facebook-Proof Your Relationship and Put the Spark Back.

Are you a regular on social networking sites?

Are you also currently in a committed offline relationship?

If the answer is yes to these two questions, I’m glad that you are reading this article right now

In case you’re not familiar with all the recent controversy surrounding social networking sites and divorce, Facebook was cited in one in five divorce petitions in the UK last year.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/facebook/6857918/Facebook-fuelling-divorce-research-claims.html.

As with any new technology, social networking can create some anxiety or fear. Social networking is also linked with feelings of jealousy, hurt and anger. It’s understandable that if there are problems, it feels intuitively right to see the technology as the problem rather than the way we approach it. I think many issues can be avoided by effective communication and setting up some good boundaries.

Here are 3 ways in which you can Facebook-proof your relationship

1, Exploration:

I invite and encourage couples at my own counselling practice to explore how they want to use a social networking site.

  • Explore with your partner your individual expectations about visiting social networking sites. Pick a time when you can give each other your full attention and give some thought to your needs and expectations in advance.

The following questions give you some topics to think about:

  • What level of flirting is acceptable to you?
  • How much time do you spend on social networking sites compared to the time you spend together?
  • What about confidentiality? Is it appropriate to post about your partner?

You can tailor some more topics to suit your particular relationship needs.

2, Golden Rules:

Make a common set of rules that you will both abide by so that you have a common frame of reference. Make sure you create a level playing field by being open and honest with each other – even if you believe your partner will not like what you have to say. Here are some sample rules; I’m not saying that you should agree to these particular rules, I invite you to come up with your own set of rules based on the results of your exploration; these are merely food for thought:

  • We do/don’t allow access to each others personal profile.
  • For every 30 minutes we spend on Facebook we will spend an hour talking together.
  • Be clear about what sort of personal information is acceptable to share with friends and/or acquaintances.
  • Nobody’s perfect; what do you do if one of you breaks your rules?

Remember, it can be tempting after an argument to post hurtful or negative comments about your partner or the relationship and those comments can come back to haunt later on.

Although you may have to compromise on some rules there will be much less chance of destructive secrets later on.! By being open and honest you can feel good about yourself and the relationship.

3, Choose Wisely:

It can be very exciting connecting with old friends from the distant past (see my post Are social networking sites really putting your relationship at risk), but before accepting ask yourself the following question: Would my wife/husband/ partner be happy about me connecting with this person?.

Three Signs That Your Relationship Needs Help Now

Are you sharing intimate details about yourself or your relationship with some-one else online?

Do you believe that if your partner knew s/he would be unhappy?

Does this person leave you feeling important, special or adored?

Is there implied or actual sexual references with this person?

Peter left this great comment in the comment section “The first sign that your relationship needs help is when you find yourself lying to your partner.”

If you would like to comment on any of the blogs I’d love to hear from you

Andrea.


Andrea Sheehy MBACP CCRelate

Andrea Sheehy is qualified couple, relationship and marriage counsellor with over 17 year experience. Andrea's practice is based in Hinckley which is on the border of Leicestershire and North Warwickshire. For more information about how couple counselling helps, visit her website: http://www.andrea-sheehy.com

Copyright Andrea Sheehy 2010. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: The content is for general information only and may or may not relate to your individual situation. If this article raises concerns please speak to a professional in your area

Contact her on   01455 612 167

Are social networking sites really putting your relationship at risk?

Divorce in UK

The good news is that overall divorce rates in the UK have decreased recently. The bad news is that there appears to have been a significant leap amongst people in their forties, fifties and even sixties seeking a separation or divorce.

While the reasons for this phenomenon are many and varied, it was interesting to read the other week that British law firms are claiming that one in five cited the social net working site Face book in their divorce petitions last year.

Increasingly reports along the lines of “face book nearly destroyed my marriage” are appearing in newspapers and over the internet.

Social networking

A common assumption is that it’s only younger people who use social networking sites. In fact many middle aged people too are regularly meeting up in cyberspace.

Although social networking sites are a wonderful and easy way of connecting with family, friends, and like minded people, as with most things in life there can be a potentially darker side.

With all this controversy in the news surrounding face book et al and relationship breakup, there seems to be a lot of confusion out there about relationship breakdown.

Real issues.

While social networking sites can contribute to some already existing marital or relationship problems, they can’t be solely responsible for our relationship breakdown.

Relationships never stay the same, they evolve and change over the years, if we address issues as they come up hopefully we develop a much deeper love as the years go by. Unresolved issues such as misunderstandings, bumping up against the same arguments over and over again, jealousy over promotions at work can all lead to resentments and even anger towards our partners or spouses. Instead of enjoying a loving relationship we can often come to see our partner as the enemy!

Social networking sites can become a fantasy land, another way of escaping, and avoiding both our partners and the reality of marital and relationship issues.

It’s not just our relationship issues that we are avoiding either!. Mid forty’s early fifty’s can be a time when we are facing the death of our parents, looking after parents who have become frail or worrying about finances or work. This can trigger a real sense of loss, not just for our parents but for the passing of our childhood and youth.

Reconnecting with old flames or childhood sweethearts takes us back to a place where our memory’s are filled with happy times, we remember the relationship “spark”

Often it isn’t really the person we are attracted to. Remember it didn’t work out the first time and we went on to choose our current partner. It’s that time on our lives we are attracted to, a time when we felt alive and connected.

How marriage or couple counselling can help

With person in four regretting their divorce or separation marriage or couple counselling offers a different and valuable opportunity for couples to put back the relationship “spark” build a healthy and loving relationship together.

Including:

Destructive relationship patterns uncovered and addressed

new ways of being in relationship

Conflict resolution skills

New ways of communicating with each other

Dealing with the impact of loss and change in your relationship

Brown Eyes left this thought provoking comment in the comment section “Many people do not realize how much they are hurting their spouse or the relationship overall, as they don’t see social networking as a problem,….

Has your relationship been affected by social networking sites?

Do you have a view?

Let me know by leaving a comment


Andrea Sheehy MBACP CCRelate

Andrea Sheehy is qualified couple, relationship and marriage counsellor with over 17 year experience. Andrea's practice is based in Hinckley which is on the border of Leicestershire and North Warwickshire. For more information about how couple counselling helps, visit her website: http://www.andrea-sheehy.com

Copyright Andrea Sheehy 2010. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: The content is for general information only and may or may not relate to your individual situation. If this article raises concerns please speak to a professional in your area

Contact her on   01455 612 167

Ten Counselling Myths Debunked

One of my favorite pastimes is debunking counselling myths – and there are so many! I could probably come up with a hundred related pre-conceived ideas and misconceptions people have about counselling or therapy.

Here are a few of the more prevalent myths  I have heard in organizations I have worked for, in my role as an Employee Counselling Services Provider and at my own private counselling practice.

Myth 1: Couple Counselling is a last resort when you’ve tried everything else!

The Reality: Couples Counselling works best as soon as you notice there are problems between you.

It can also be beneficial for couples who are experiencing no problems in their relationships at all. Many couples are choosing pre-marital counselling these days and research shows that those who do, are less likely to land in the divorce courts later on.

Many couples do put off counselling however until a divorce or separation seems imminent. Counselling does not guarantee that a divorce will not happen, but it is possible to make positive changes to your relationship in a short space of time.

Myth 2: I believe I am a failure if I can’t sort my problems out on my own!

The Reality: It takes a lot of courage to walk through a counsellors door and ask for help. This takes a real strength. Choosing counselling or therapy is a direct positive and effective step to resolving your marriage or relationship problems

Myth 3: The counsellor will just sit there and listen!

The Reality: Although listening to what the problems are and what hopes and aspirations you have for the counselling play a very important part of any “talking therapy” relationship counselling needs to be a lot more directive than simply listening. I tend to be very proactive during the sessions. I will work with you to identify the main issues in your relationship, help you clarify your thoughts and feelings as well as coaching you on how to make the best changes to enhance your particular relationship.

Myth 4: The counsellor will offer relationship advice!

The Reality: If you’ve confided in friends or family you’ve probably had advice coming out of your ears already. Trained and qualified counsellors or therapists do not give advice. Don’t expect advice on whether you should end your relationship, have a trial separation or expect the counsellor to tell you what to do to “fix” your problem. Counselling is an opportunity to assess the problems. You will both be given equal time to explore your thoughts and feelings, work out an action plan that meets your chosen counselling goals along counselling, coaching and teaching for you.

Myth 5: I don’t have problems, I’m just here to support my partner!

The Reality: If your partner is unhappy with the relationship then you have a problem. Out of your awareness you are inviting/contributing to the issues in some way. Counselling can help both of you to understand your own processes and how they impact on the relationship. This alone can promote powerful changes which enhance your relationship.

Myth 6: Counselling can’t change who I am!

The Reality: You are right – a counsellor can’t change you. The truth is that life and people are changing all the time. Sometimes we need to make changes in the way we think, feel and behave to keep up with what is happening to us here and now. Decisions we made at other points in life about how the world is, how we are and how people perceive us can become seriously outdated. Counselling can help you make changes that positively enhance your life now while allowing you to stay true to your own core values and beliefs.

Myth 7: The counsellor will take my partners side!

The Reality: A properly trained couple or marriage counsellor should not take sides. It is the counsellors job to remain neutral, to view the relationship as “the client” rather than the individuals. Relationship counselling is not about finger pointing or blaming. You will both be given equal time and attention to explore, reflect and clarify your own thoughts and feelings. Both of your points of view are important and equally valid.

Myth 8: How can a stranger help?

The Reality: Lots of people find it easier to open up to someone who does not know them or their partner. The reasons for this are varied, but friends and family often have their own views and agenda’s, making any real exploration difficult. It is also possible that friends or family will pass on to others what we have said. A counsellor does not have a view on what you shouldn’t do or a hidden agenda. She will listen, challenge your thinking and help you to identify possible solutions, in a safe, totally confidential setting.

Myth 9: We tried counselling before and it didn’t help

The Reality: Marriage Counselling or indeed individual counselling may not have “worked” for you before, but that does not mean to say it won’t help a second or even third time around with a different counsellor. There really isn’t a “one size fits all” with talking therapies. Counsellors and therapists use different approaches and different counselling styles or ways of working. It really is a matter of shopping around for some-one you feel comfortable with. Also, remember, you may not have been ready for counselling the first time round.

Myth 10: We got a book on improving our relationships, that is as good as seeing a counsellor.

The Reality: Some of the books in popular psychology can be quite helpful in that they can give you advice and some insights. However advice or insights on their own do not make changes. Often partner A reads the book, fired up with enthusiasm then attempts to get partner B to buy into the suggestions. Partner B can then feel turned off or even threatened. This can then further destabilize the relationship. A trained marriage counsellor is adept at decoding out -of -awareness patterns. She does not follow a set of rules or guidelines. Each counselling session is a supportive and tailor made service specific to each couple’s individual personalities and unique situation. The counsellor responds to the relationship and can observe things that neither partner is aware of.

San Diego Marriage Counselling left this comment in the comment section “Most marriages on the verge of breaking up can be saved with the help of a good counselor.”

Have you or your partner fallen for any of these counselling myths before?

Add your own myth in the comment section below

 


Andrea Sheehy MBACP CCRelate

Andrea Sheehy is qualified couple, relationship and marriage counsellor with over 17 year experience. Andrea's practice is based in Hinckley which is on the border of Leicestershire and North Warwickshire. For more information about how couple counselling helps, visit her website: http://www.andrea-sheehy.com

Copyright Andrea Sheehy 2010. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: The content is for general information only and may or may not relate to your individual situation. If this article raises concerns please speak to a professional in your area

Contact her on   01455 612 167

First Blog!

Filed under: Practice Information — andrea @

Welcome to Andrea Sheehy Counselling Service’s first blog, a brand new departure for me in 2010!

My name is Andrea Sheehy and I am a qualified counsellor, specialising in marriage, couple and relationship counselling. I have been a counsellor for over 17 years. I enjoy working with people and especially couples. I believe everyone has a right to a healthy and happy relationship.

Don’t panic this isn’t going to be one of those blogs that tells everybody what I had for breakfast (I’m never really quite sure how that could be interesting !) This should go without saying really but for the sake of clarity I won’t be writing anything that compromises confidentiality either.

The purpose of the blog is to provide you with some up to date information, give you some extra insights into counselling, therapy, relationships and maybe offer some tips on how to create a healthy, loving and happy relationship.

I’m always interested in learning too, and see this blog as a chance for you to pitch in with your own comments, ideas and wish list for the website and blog.

As it’s a new enterprise I’m not sure how it will develop at this stage so I can’t say exactly what will be in it.

Like any relationship it will always be a work in progress!


Andrea Sheehy MBACP CCRelate

Andrea Sheehy is qualified couple, relationship and marriage counsellor with over 17 year experience. Andrea's practice is based in Hinckley which is on the border of Leicestershire and North Warwickshire. For more information about how couple counselling helps, visit her website: http://www.andrea-sheehy.com

Copyright Andrea Sheehy 2010. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: The content is for general information only and may or may not relate to your individual situation. If this article raises concerns please speak to a professional in your area

Contact her on   01455 612 167

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Andrea Sheehy

 
Andrea Sheehy

Hello, I'm Andrea Sheehy. I am a marriage and relationship counsellor practising in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

I help couples just like you repair, rediscover and transform your relationships.


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or call me on 01455 612 167

I am a member of both the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and The Institute of Transactional Analysis. I operate within both organisations' strict ethical guidelines to ensure safe and contained clinical practice.

 

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