I work with couples of all orientations, including straight and queer people, who feel emotionally disconnected, are stuck in frustrating patterns, or are facing a crisis such as addiction, financial pressure or betrayal. Couples who are struggling are often distanced from each other by fear of rejection, conflict or separation, guilt or shame about expressing sensitive needs or wishes, or anger about disillusionment and feeling devalued or disrespected.

Partners who come to therapy are often on the fence about whether it is less painful to struggle on whilst accepting loneliness, disappointment and resentment, or risk the relationship by testing the viability of their beliefs and perspectives against someone else's reality. This suspicion is founded in wisdom: it has been said that one must risk the relationship in order to save it, because it is the very temptation to hide one's truth in order to avoid conflict that is often the primary driver of disconnection.

My practice draws on evidence-based principles from:

• Interpersonal neurobiology

• Attachment theory

• Emotionally focused therapy (EFT)

• Psychodynamic and object relations theory

• Bowen Family Systems theory

• Nonviolent Communication (NVC)

• Polyvagal theory

In couples therapy I aim to provide a space where, in time and with care, all of the unspoken (but usually acutely felt) realities can be examined with safety, compassion and support. I will help you establish mutually agreed boundaries for sharing, listening and responding to each other's realities. Within this frame, we can explore difference and mutuality in the relationship to help improve communication, understanding, negotiation and acceptance of yourself and your partner.

If you are curious but unsure of your needs or situation, I invite you to get in touch so we can discuss how I can be of service to you both.