Couples therapy in Forest Hill, South East London
Couples therapy provides a safe, neutral, and supportive space for you and your partner to explore your relationship dynamics. With the guidance of a professional, you will work collaboratively to improve communication, break free from repetitive arguments, and cultivate a deeper, more resilient connection.
Our Couples therapy practitioners — select one to start an enquiry
- Dr Marcelo Matias — Doctor in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy (£130 per session)
- Caroline Fuseau — Psychotherapist
- Lirona Rosenthal — Clinical and Counseling Psychologist (£150–£200 per session)
- Iliana Stoyanova — Integrative Psychotherapeutic Counsellor & CBT Practitioner (£120–£130 per session)
- Limor Tevet — Psychotherapist (£110 per session)
Best for
Couples at any stage of their relationship looking to improve communication, resolve recurring conflicts, navigate major life changes, or rebuild intimacy and trust.
How it works
- Send an enquiry — Submit a general enquiry or choose a practitioner. We'll respond within 48 hours, but generally much quicker.
- Initial consultation — Have a first session in person at our Forest Hill clinic on Dartmouth Place, or online from anywhere in the UK.
- Begin your sessions — Agree a regular time with your practitioner and begin your ongoing therapy.
Every relationship faces its unique challenges. It’s natural to feel disconnected, misunderstood, or stuck in cycles that leave you both feeling frustrated. Couples therapy is not about assigning blame or finding fault; instead, it’s a space to understand each other’s perspectives, identify underlying patterns, and begin to heal communication breakdowns.
In our sessions, we provide a neutral, supportive environment where both partners can speak openly and feel truly heard. We help you move beyond constant arguments or the quiet distance of feeling like housemates, working together to replace destructive patterns with healthier ways of relating. You'll gain practical tools to navigate major life transitions, resolve ongoing disputes, and rebuild emotional intimacy.
Whether you’re dealing with the pain of infidelity, considering separation, or simply want to strengthen your bond after children, our couples therapy in Forest Hill offers a path forward. We welcome partners at all stages—from those preparing for marriage to those seeking relationship counselling in SE London, aiming to foster a stronger, more connected future.
What to expect from a Couples therapy session
Your first session is a gentle introduction where we’ll discuss what brings you to couples therapy and what you hope to achieve. It’s an opportunity for us to understand your unique situation and for you to ask any questions. We’ll outline how we work and begin to establish a safe, confidential space where both of you feel comfortable sharing your experiences and perspectives.
Ongoing sessions typically last 50 minutes and can be scheduled weekly or fortnightly, depending on your needs. Our BACP/UKCP/HCPC registered practitioners facilitate conversations, ensuring both partners have an equal opportunity to speak and be heard. We never take sides or judge, instead guiding you both towards mutual understanding and constructive dialogue to navigate challenges together.
Couples come to us for many reasons: repeated arguments that never get resolved, feeling like strangers under the same roof, trying to rebuild after an affair, adjusting to life after having children, deciding whether to stay or go, or one partner pulling away emotionally. Whatever your specific challenge, we create a supportive environment to explore these issues.
Most couples notice a meaningful shift within 4–6 sessions, gaining practical tools to improve communication and resolve conflict. You’ll learn to truly hear and respond to each other, fostering deeper connection and trust. Our aim is to empower you to navigate life’s complexities as a united team. If you are ready to take the first step, we are here.
Frequently asked questions
Do both partners need to attend every session?
Ideally, yes, for most effective couples therapy. We encourage both partners to attend every session to ensure balance, mutual understanding, and shared progress. This allows our therapist to observe your interactions directly and facilitate communication between you both in real-time. However, we understand that life can be unpredictable. If an occasional absence is unavoidable, please discuss this with your therapist. They can advise on how best to manage the session to maintain momentum and ensure both your needs are still addressed. Consistency from both partners significantly strengthens the therapeutic process.
We are not in crisis, is couples therapy still for us?
Absolutely. Couples therapy is not solely for relationships on the brink. Many couples seek support to proactively strengthen their bond, improve communication, or navigate significant life transitions like parenthood, career changes, or retirement. It’s an invaluable space to deepen intimacy, understand each other better, and develop tools to prevent issues from escalating. Investing in your relationship when things are stable can build resilience and create a more fulfilling partnership for the long term. We welcome you at any stage.
What if one of us is more reluctant than the other?
It's very common for one partner to feel more hesitant about starting therapy. We understand this, and our approach is always warm, grounded, and non-judgmental. The initial sessions can be a gentle space to explore these hesitations, address concerns, and clarify misunderstandings about the process. Often, once the reluctant partner experiences the neutral, supportive environment and sees that the therapist isn't taking sides, their comfort level increases. We encourage you both to attend the first session to see how it feels, with no pressure to commit beyond that.
Is couples therapy different than individual therapy?
While individual therapy focuses on personal growth and challenges, couples therapy centres on the relationship itself. In individual sessions, the client is one person; in couples therapy, the 'client' is the relationship dynamic between two people. Our therapist facilitates communication, identifies destructive patterns, and helps both partners understand their roles within the relationship. The goal is to improve interaction, foster mutual understanding, and create a healthier connection, rather than solely focusing on one person's internal experience. Both partners are active participants in the process.
How quickly will we see results?
The timeline for seeing results varies for every couple, as it depends on the complexity of the issues and your commitment to the process. However, many couples report noticing meaningful shifts in communication and understanding within 4–6 sessions. You might start feeling more heard, arguing less, or approaching conflicts more constructively. Couples therapy is a journey, not a quick fix, but consistent engagement and applying the learned tools outside of sessions will lead to more sustainable and profound improvements over time. We focus on practical, actionable change.
Can we do sessions online if we cannot always get to Forest Hill in person?
Yes, absolutely. We offer flexible online couples therapy sessions, making it convenient for you to access support from wherever you are, whether that's your home in Forest Hill, elsewhere in South East London, or even further afield. Our online platform is secure and confidential, providing the same warm, professional environment as in-person sessions. This option is particularly helpful if your schedules conflict, if one partner travels frequently, or if you simply prefer the comfort and ease of remote therapy. We aim to make therapy accessible to all.
Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?
Yes. headroom is open 7am to 10pm, 7 days a week. Many of our practitioners offer early morning, evening, and weekend slots specifically to accommodate dual working schedules. When submitting an enquiry, let us know your preferred availability.
Can we use private health insurance (e.g., Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality)?
Several of our HCPC and UKCP registered psychologists and psychotherapists are recognized by major private healthcare providers (such as Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, and Vitality). Please mention your provider when enquiring, or check individual practitioner profiles to confirm provider eligibility.
Are we locked into a long-term contract?
No. There is no minimum contract or mandatory package. You and your therapist will review your progress regularly, and you are free to pause or conclude sessions at any time with standard notice. Each practitioner does however set their own terms, so please discuss this with them directly.
Can couples counselling help us rebuild trust after an affair or infidelity?
Yes. Infidelity and breaches of trust are among the most common reasons couples seek support. Therapy provides a structured, neutral setting to navigate the intense emotions of discovery, understand underlying vulnerabilities, and determine whether and how trust can be realistically rebuilt.
What if we are trying to decide whether to stay together or separate?
Couples therapy does not have a predetermined goal to keep every couple together at all costs. If you are uncertain about the future of your relationship, therapy provides clarity through discernment—helping you explore whether the relationship can be repaired, or facilitating a respectful, amicable separation if that is the healthier outcome.
Do you provide LGBTQ+ and gender, sex, and relationship diverse (GSRD) affirmative therapy?
Yes. Some of our practitioners specifically provide affirmative, non-judgmental therapy for same-sex couples, trans and non-binary individuals, and diverse relationship structures (including consensual non-monogamy and polyamory). If you have questions please get in touch to discuss.
We cover Forest Hill (SE23), Honor Oak Park (SE23), Sydenham (SE26), Brockley (SE4), Crofton Park (SE4/SE23), Catford (SE6), East Dulwich (SE22), Peckham Rye (SE15/SE22), South East London (SE)
headroom is based at 33 Dartmouth Place, Forest Hill — five minutes from Forest Hill Overground and National Rail station. Our practitioners see clients in person from across SE London, and online from anywhere in the UK.
Visit headroom in Forest Hill
headroom — 33 Dartmouth Place, Forest Hill, London SE23 3AU. Five minutes from Forest Hill Overground station. BACP, UKCP and HCPC registered practitioners.
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