Frequently Asked Questions

Counselling helps you take time out from your situation and see it from a fresh perspective. Working with a counsellor gives you, or you and your partner, or even your whole family, a chance to think about what you can do to change your situation for the better. It can also give you a chance to explore complex or difficult issues in a safe and confidential environment. Counselling is not just a matter of trying to fix problems — it can also help you develop your relationship in new ways.

Relationship Works is all about relationships and helping you make changes for the better. We are here if you want to talk about your relationships (past, present or future) and how they affect you and your family. We know children thrive in families where relationships are positive and free from damaging conflict. We can work with you to improve relationships, manage a separation constructively or get over a break up. We’re here to help.

Many people want to know if relationship counselling works. Our clients think so — but it depends on what is meant by ‘works’. Our role is not to ‘save’ relationships at all cost but to help you make choices that are right for you. In a supportive and safe environment we can help you gain insights and understanding, develop tools and techniques, and explore options. We will make sure you feel heard and supported whatever happens, and will help you to resolve difficulties, or at least cope with them better.

As a charity, we do not make a profit from our services but we charge a fee to cover the cost of each session.

We charge £68 for an initial assessment. After this, the cost of ongoing sessions is agreed between you and your counsellor (or the administration team). Usually this is on a sliding scale and according to your income.

We aim to support everybody who can benefit from our counselling, irrespective of their ability to pay. If you’re concerned about the costs of counselling then talk to your counsellor or the administration team. Subject to funds, we can offer reduced counselling fees to people who cannot afford the full cost of counselling. We pay for this from dedicated fundraising and from generous clients who are able to pay higher fees. Please contact us if you would like to know more about this or how we can help.

We provide face-to-face counselling at our premises in Bristol BS7 and in central Bath .

We also provide online counselling. Please see our blog if you’re wondering about the pros and cons of counselling online.

No. You don’t need a referral to make an appointment for any of our services, just contact us by form, phone or email — Contact Us

Yes. Our counselling sessions are for individuals, couples or families. You may want to come to some (or all) sessions alone, with a partner or with your family members. If you have questions about this call us on 01179 428 444, or you can contact us by email — Contact Us

Family counselling can involve both adults and children so yes, it’s sometimes recommended that they come along. Where children do attend, they’re usually aged 11 or older. If you’ve younger children and are interested in family counselling then we can discuss this with you.

Relationship counselling and sex therapy services are for adults only and it is not appropriate for babies or children to be present. We don't have childcare facilities at our locations, so you will need to make arrangements for your children to be looked after during your appointment. This also applies to online appointments.

At Relationship Works, we cannot see children for counselling by themselves aged 16 or under. However, we can see them as part of family counselling.

Absolutely! We’re firmly committed to supporting people of all sexualities, gender identities and expressions. We recognise that relationships and identities are diverse, and aim for our services to be inclusive, respectful, and client-led.

We provide a safe space for all who seek our support, and affirm the rights and dignity of LGBTQIA+ individuals, including within our counselling services.

You may want to have a look at our blog about Counselling for LGBTQIA+ Couples

Absolutely! Our counsellors are trained on supporting discussions about all aspects of relationships, including intimacy and sexual concerns. This question is something we explore more fully in our blog: Can I talk about sex with my counsellor?

Our Bristol centre is fully accessible: all on the ground floor with a shallow ramp to the entrance. Parking on site is limited, so please let us know if you will need to park very close by and we will make arrangements.

Please note that our Bath centre is only accessible via stairs.

If you have any requirements regarding accessing our service, please make us aware when you book your appointment.

All our services are confidential. All records are kept securely and are only seen by authorised Relationship Works team members. These records are subject to the General Data Protection Regulation May 2018. We will not share information about you with anyone outside Relationship Works unless we have reason to believe that either you or someone else is at serious risk of harm. We will discuss any proposed disclosure with you unless we believe that to do so could increase the level of risk to you or to someone else.

Violence and abuse is sometimes an issue for people who come to us for help with their relationship. We know from our experience that in this situation working with both partners together may not be safe.

We also know that it can be hard to admit there has been abuse in a relationship. If you’re concerned you can talk to a member of our Welcome Team or to your counsellor. Our specially trained staff will listen confidentially and help you find the best specialist support from Relationship Works or another organisation.

You may find our blog about recognising and managing high conflict in relationships useful to read.

That all depends on you and your counsellor. You’ll decide together how long you think counselling is helpful. Most people find between four and twelve sessions is about right for counselling, but many continue for more. Those coming to sex therapy can expect to attend for longer.

We take our training very seriously. We have a dedicated team of over 20 counsellors, all have received special training in relationship counselling and many have expertise in related specialisms like sex therapy or family counselling. Many have first degrees, masters degrees or other post-graduate qualifications, and many have worked with us for many years. 

The training doesn’t stop. All our counsellors undertake regular mandatory training as well as a minimum of 30 hours a year of ongoing professional development to ensure they’re prepared to offer the highest standard of help. Supervision is also important (see below) in maintaining and improving our service.

In addition, we have a long and proud history of supporting counsellors through relevant trainings. Because of this, your practitioner may be a student or a qualified practitioner who is now undertaking training in a different discipline. An example of this may be a qualified relationship practitioner who is now training in sex therapy.

All our counsellors have been assessed as competent to work with their clients on a wide range of issues.

In order to maintain the highest standards and to ensure consistency across the team, our counsellors participate in mandatory individual monthly supervision of their practice, as well as group supervision, and will consult with their supervisor and the supervision team where necessary.

The supervision team consists of Mary Everett, Rachel Davies, Barbara Kenton and Theresa Halliwell who have a wealth of experience in counselling and counsellor supervision.

All our counsellors are required to comply with the code of ethics and practice that is appropriate to their work.

Relationship counselling is covered by the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy’s Ethical Framework for Good Practice. 

Family counselling is covered by the Association for Family Therapy’s Code of Ethics & Practice.  

Sex therapy is covered by the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapy’s Code of Ethics & Principles of Good Practice.  

Our people must comply with Relationship Works practice policies and guidance which both complement the external codes and set specific organisational standards for ethical working in accordance with the above.

This doesn’t happen very often but if, for any reason, things aren’t working out with your counsellor, we’ll discuss the situation with you and can offer you a different counsellor.

We’d love to hear from you! Your feedback helps us learn, improve, and continue providing the best service we can. If you have comments, suggestions, or concerns about your experience with Relationship Works please Contact Us.

If you’re unhappy with any aspect of our service, we encourage you to let us know as soon as possible (and within 3 months). Please be assured that any concerns you raise will be taken seriously, and we will do our best to resolve them with care and respect.

Counselling sessions are usually at a regular time each week and they last up to 50 minutes We know everyone has busy lives so your counsellor will talk to you about what days and times are best for everyone.

To find out more about any of our services or to arrange an appointment, contact us by form, phone or email — Contact Us

The more notice you can give us the better! To cover our costs we unfortunately have to charge for appointments cancelled with less that 2 working days’ notice.

We want everyone to get the help they need. While we’re here for many relationship challenges, there are times when emergency or other specialist support is a better fit. 

For example for those currently experiencing severe mental health issues, ongoing domestic abuse, or active addiction, relationship counselling will not be the best approach. We encourage those facing these circumstances to connect with specialised support services. 

This doesn't mean we won't be here later. Once you’ve accessed the support you need for these urgent issues, relationship counselling may still have a role to play. But your safety and wellbeing come first.

Please find a list of support services here.