We've rebranded! We're now Relationship Works (formerly Relate Avon). Click for more information
⋆
We've rebranded! We're now Relationship Works (formerly Relate Avon). Click for more information ⋆
Counselling for Couples Managing Depression.
Online appointments available
Supporting couples where depression is affecting the relationship
Depression doesn't just affect the individual. It can place real strain on a relationship, making communication harder, connection feel distant, and leave both partners feel isolated or misunderstood. Couples Therapy for Depression (CTfD) is a specialist programme designed to help.
Couples therapy for depression programme
Couples Therapy for Depression is a structured, evidence-based programme of around 20 sessions, developed specifically for couples where depression is a significant factor affecting one or both partners.
NICE-approved, the programme combines supportive counselling with cognitive behavioural interventions — working with both the experience of depression and its impact on the relationship.
Couples counselling
In couples counselling (sometimes called couples therapy) you’ll learn how to communicate in new ways, work through problems together, and build skills to handle future challenges.
Relationship counselling for individuals
You don't need to be in a relationship to benefit from relationship counselling. Many people come alone to reflect on past or current relationships or to understand patterns that keep repeating.
Working with a counsellor helps you understand yourself better, break unhelpful cycles, and build healthier connections now and in the future.
Find out more about Relationship Counselling for Individuals.
How can couples therapy for depression help?
Sessions focus on reducing stress, strengthening mutual support, improving communication, and exploring patterns within the relationship that may be contributing to or maintaining low mood.
A key principle throughout is balance — supporting the relationship while recognising the individual needs and experiences of each partner.
What happens in relationship counselling?
After making an appointment, your first session is 50 minutes with a trained counsellor at our Bristol or Bath centre, or online.
Your counsellor will take time to understand your relationship, the challenges you're facing, and what you hope to achieve.
If you're coming as a couple, you'll each have individual time with the counsellor. What you share in your time is confidential to you.
At the end, your counsellor will discuss how we can help and options for ongoing support. Some people meet once, while others continue for several weeks or months with ongoing sessions at 50 minutes each. It depends on what you need.
How does it work?
The programme includes practical behavioural exercises and between-session activities, helping couples apply what they're learning to their daily lives.
This is an online counselling programme, making is accessible wherever you are.
Sessions are delivered online via Zoom.
How much does relationship counselling cost?
We are a charity and don't make a profit from the services we provide. We charge £68 for an initial assessment. Ongoing counselling fees are then agreed between you and your counsellor (or the administration team). We work with you to find a rate that’s sustainable. Most people pay £75 but some who can afford it pay more (up to a maximum of £105).
Reduced counselling fees: we aim to to support everybody who can benefit from our counselling irrespective of their ability to pay. As part of this, we offer reduced counselling fees which we fund from dedicated fundraising and from those clients able to pay higher fees.
What our clients say…