Karen Palmer

Do you feel like you are in a "stuck" place in your relationship? Arguments go round in the same circles and you feel unheard by your partner? These feelings can often build up over time and may be caused by any number of factors - an affair, communication break down, stepfamily and/or extended family issues, a new baby or simply an accumulation of what may seem like small things that have been stored up until they become a larger problem. This is when it can be helpful to have some impartial input to help you look at things in a calm and constructive way to enable you to make the right decisions for yourselves and your relationship. Naturally you may feel a little apprehensive about coming to counselling, especially if you have not experienced this before. However, you should regard this as a positive step towards finding the best path forward for both of you.

I am a Relate trained counsellor, based in Harrogate, with extensive experience of working with couples and individuals. I work in a non-judgemental, confidential and impartial manner at all times - I will never take sides or tell you what to do. I will, however, help you to work through the issues that you bring to the sessions in a balanced and rational manner so that you can start to communicate together in a way that feels best for you and allows you to feel heard.

Your first session is your chance to talk about what has been going on for you and to chat about how we could work together in a way that suits you best. After this session, we would normally meet weekly until you get to a point where you feel that your relationship is back on track and is heading in a more positive direction. Sometimes you may find that it becomes clear during counselling that the future may not be together. If this is the case, it is important to look at how you will communicate going forward, especially if there are children involved. There is no set agenda for your sessions. We will work flexibly, at a pace and in the direction you feel most helpful.

I offer sessions during the day and in the evenings. I also offer some sessions on Saturdays by arrangement.

How counselling can help

For many people, being able to talk to someone who is totally impartial and non-judgemental can feel very helpful. Each hour that you spend in the sessions gives you a safe space in which to explore your emotions in a way that feels calm and takes the drama out of the situation. Taking what you have discussed away with you and putting it into practice at home can often be enough to break the cycle that you have been in and herald the start of a new way of communicating together in a more open and honest manner.

£60 per one hour session.

I am happy to have a brief initial call with prospective clients to answer any questions that they may have.