Couples and Relationship Therapy Coming This December
Relationships can be wonderful, but they can also be complicated. Even strong, loving relationships can go through periods of disconnection, conflict, resentment, uncertainty or change. Sometimes you may find yourselves having the same argument again and again, disconnecting, struggling to communicate, feeling unheard or wondering how to find your way back to one another.
From December 2026, I will be offering couples and relationship therapy as part of my practice at Rachel Lackey Psychotherapy.
This is a natural development of the work I already do. Relationships have always been a central part of my therapeutic work, whether supporting people through romantic relationships, separation, parenting, family difficulties, friendship problems or the relationship they have with themselves. Last year I took specialist training in Fundamentals of Couples Therapy with Juliet Grayson, building on my existing experience of working therapeutically with relationship difficulties and this year I am completing a Certificate in Couples/Relationship Therapy at the Grove in London.
A space to understand what is happening between you
Couples therapy isn't about deciding who is right or wrong, or taking sides.
Instead, we can slow things down and look together at the patterns that have developed between you. What happens when one of you feels rejected? What happens when the other feels criticised? How do you each respond when you're hurt, frightened or overwhelmed?
Using an emotionally focused approach, I can help you understand the emotions and needs underneath difficult interactions, so that you can begin to respond to each other differently and develop a greater sense of security and connection. My existing therapeutic approach is grounded in empathy, acceptance and helping people make sense of their emotions and relationships.
Couples might come to therapy because they are experiencing communication difficulties, anger, resentment, jealousy, affairs or betrayal, sexual difficulties, separation, parenting challenges or simply a growing sense that they have lost touch with each other.
You don't have to wait until your relationship is at breaking point. Come because you want to understand each other better and create a healthier, more connected relationship.
Relationships don't all look the same
I want my couples work to be welcoming to everyone and to recognise that there is no single definition of what a healthy relationship should look like.
I welcome couples and partners who are heterosexual, LGBTQIA+, cisgender or transgender, monogamous, polyamorous or in other consensual relationship structures. I also recognise that culture, race, disability, neurodivergence, gender, sexuality, religion, family expectations and previous experiences can all influence how we experience relationships and what we need from them.
Having worked with clients in relationships with neurodifference for 11 years as a 1-1 therapist, I have a special interest in how different wiring impacts relationships and how relationships where one or more partners has ADHD or autism can be best supported through therapy. My specialist relationship work has included a broad range of relationship difficulties and experiences.
My role isn't to impose my own idea of what your relationship should look like. It's to understand your relationship, your values and your goals, and help you work towards the kind of relationship that feels right for you.
Where will couples therapy take place?
I will be offering couples and relationship therapy through the locations already available within my practice:
Keighley – face-to-face sessions in my counselling room at ACT Counselling in central Keighley.
Bingley – outdoor therapy at St Ives Estate, where appropriate.
Online across the UK – sessions via Zoom, allowing couples to attend from wherever they are based, provided they have a private and suitable space.
For couples, the practicalities of location and privacy will be particularly important, so we can discuss which option is likely to work best for you.
Making room for change
Relationships change as we change. Becoming parents, changes in work, illness, fertility difficulties, caring responsibilities, children leaving home, bereavement and other major life transitions can all alter the dynamics between partners.
Sometimes the relationship itself isn't the only thing that needs attention. We may also need to understand what each person is carrying individually and how past experiences are affecting what happens between you now.
My hope is to offer a calm, non-judgemental space where both people can feel heard and where difficult things can be explored safely and honestly.
You don't need to arrive knowing exactly what is wrong or what you want to change. We can work that out together.
Couples and relationship therapy will be available from December 2026, with a waiting list starting now. If you would like to find out more or discuss whether it could be a good fit for you, you can contact me here:
Sometimes the first step towards changing a relationship is simply making space to understand it.