Couples Counselling in North Dublin: When Should We Consider It?
Every relationship experiences challenges. Couples counselling offers partners a space to understand one another, work through difficulties and explore healthier ways of communicating and connecting.
Relationships can be deeply rewarding, but they can also become complicated. Work pressures, family responsibilities, changing needs and unresolved disagreements can gradually affect how partners relate to one another.
You might find yourselves having the same argument repeatedly, struggling to communicate without becoming defensive, or feeling increasingly distant despite wanting the relationship to work.
Couples counselling in Dublin can provide a supportive space to explore these patterns with the help of a trained therapist. At D9 Therapy & Wellness in Santry, several therapists offer couples or relationship counselling, with different approaches and areas of experience.
When might couples counselling help?
There does not need to be one major event or a relationship crisis before you consider counselling. Some couples seek support to address a specific difficulty, while others want to understand their relationship better and prevent ongoing issues from becoming more entrenched.
💬 Communication difficulties
Finding it hard to express needs, listen to one another or discuss sensitive subjects without arguments escalating.
💗 Emotional disconnection
Feeling distant, misunderstood or less emotionally connected than you once did.
🤝 Trust and betrayal
Working through broken trust, infidelity, insecurity or difficulties rebuilding a sense of safety in the relationship.
🔄 Repeating arguments
Recognising recurring patterns of conflict and understanding what happens beneath the disagreement.
🌿 Intimacy and affection
Exploring differences in intimacy, sexual needs, affection or expectations around closeness.
🏡 Life changes
Navigating family responsibilities, major decisions, transitions or changes in what each partner needs.
Couples counselling is not about deciding which partner is right or wrong. It can help both people better understand their own experiences, recognise relationship patterns and explore how they would like to move forward.
Do we need to wait until things get really bad?
No. Seeking support earlier can give couples an opportunity to address concerns before frustration and resentment become more established.
You might consider counselling if you notice that the same disagreements keep returning, conversations are becoming harder, or you are avoiding important topics because you expect them to end in conflict.
You can also attend when things are generally going well but you want to improve communication, understand each other's needs or navigate a new stage of your relationship.
What happens during couples counselling?
The process varies according to the therapist's approach and each couple's needs. Sessions generally provide time for both partners to describe their experiences, identify difficulties and explore what they would like to change.
Depending on the approach, sessions may involve:
- Understanding recurring patterns of communication and conflict.
- Learning to express feelings and needs more clearly.
- Exploring how each partner experiences the relationship.
- Working through trust, intimacy or emotional connection difficulties.
- Developing more constructive ways to manage disagreements.
- Clarifying relationship goals and decisions about the future.
The therapist's role is not to take sides or make decisions on behalf of the couple. Instead, they facilitate conversations that may be difficult to have without support and help partners explore their relationship in a structured setting.
How do we choose a couples counsellor in Dublin?
Different therapists have different qualifications, approaches and areas of experience. When choosing someone, consider whether they regularly work with couples, how they approach relationship difficulties and whether both partners feel comfortable with their style.
It can help to ask about:
- Experience and training: Their qualifications and specific training in couples or relationship therapy.
- Therapeutic approach: How they work with conflict, communication, trust and emotional connection.
- Practical arrangements: Session fees, availability, location and whether online sessions are offered.
- Relationship diversity: Whether their approach is appropriate for your relationship structure, identities and circumstances.
- Confidentiality: How confidentiality works in couples sessions and how information shared individually, if applicable, is handled.
Couples counselling at D9 Therapy & Wellness
D9 Therapy & Wellness has therapists working from two locations in Santry: 307a Swords Road and 10 Lilmar Avenue. Several practitioners offer couples or relationship counselling.
The therapists below have different backgrounds and approaches, so you can explore their profiles to see who may be the best fit for your relationship.
Therapists at 307a Swords Road, Santry
Noelle Shebani
📍 307a Swords RoadNoelle works with couples experiencing communication difficulties, emotional disconnection, trust issues, intimacy or sexual concerns, and ongoing conflict. Her work provides space to explore relationship patterns and develop healthier communication.
Seàn Wright
📍 307a Swords RoadSeàn offers relationship and couples therapy, including support with sex and intimacy difficulties, differences in sexual desire, infidelity, communication and emotional disconnection. He works inclusively with diverse genders, sexualities and relationship structures, including non-monogamous and polyamorous relationships.
Abbey Martin
📍 307a Swords RoadAbbey works with couples as well as individual clients. She specialises in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and also offers talk therapy, using a collaborative and supportive approach to explore relationship issues and develop practical skills.
Alex Bogomoletz
📍 307a Swords Road and 10 Lilmar AvenueAlex offers couples and relationship counselling, with a focus on communication difficulties, recurring arguments, emotional distance, intimacy and trust or betrayal issues. His integrative approach draws on person-centred therapy, Reality Therapy and other therapeutic methods. Sessions are available in English and French.
Therapists at 10 Lilmar Avenue, Santry
Sinéad Ní Fhionnachta
📍 10 Lilmar AvenueSinéad works with couples, families, individuals and young people. Her systemic family therapy background can help couples explore relationship patterns, communication and the wider context influencing their relationships.
Virginia Pop
📍 10 Lilmar AvenueVirginia works with individuals and couples. She offers counselling in English and Romanian, providing an option for couples who would feel more comfortable exploring relationship concerns in either language.
Therapist availability can change, so check the relevant directory and live availability information before making an enquiry.
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Browse therapists at 10 Lilmar Avenue
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When might couples counselling not be appropriate?
Couples counselling is not suitable for every situation. Where there is domestic abuse, coercive control, intimidation, fear or a significant imbalance of power, joint sessions may not be safe or appropriate.
In these circumstances, individual specialist support and safety planning may need to come first. If you are concerned about your own safety or your partner's reaction to seeking help, consider speaking confidentially with a suitable support service or professional.
Frequently asked questions about couples counselling
Does couples counselling mean our relationship is failing?
No. Couples seek counselling at different stages of their relationships. Some want to work through longstanding difficulties, while others want to improve communication or navigate a new challenge.
Do both partners have to attend?
Couples counselling is designed for partners to attend together. If one person is not ready, you can discuss the situation with a therapist to understand what individual support or other options may be appropriate.
How many couples counselling sessions will we need?
This depends on your concerns, goals and the therapist's approach. Some couples focus on a specific issue over a shorter period, while others choose longer-term support. Your therapist can discuss this with you as the work progresses.
Can couples counselling help if we keep having the same argument?
It can help you explore the patterns behind recurring disagreements, understand each other's perspectives and practise different ways of communicating. Progress depends on the circumstances and each partner's willingness to engage.
How much does couples counselling cost in Dublin?
Fees vary by therapist and session format. Contact the therapist or check their profile for current pricing before booking.
You don't have to navigate relationship difficulties alone
Taking the first step towards couples counselling can feel daunting, particularly when conversations have become difficult. Finding a therapist who understands your concerns and feels like a good fit can help you begin exploring what needs to change.
D9 Therapy & Wellness has couples counselling options at both 307a Swords Road and 10 Lilmar Avenue in Santry.