Relational therapy is a form of counselling that places the relationship between client and therapist at the heart of the work. It recognises that the way we connect with others shapes who we are, and that healing often happens through supportive, authentic relationships.
Whether you are new to therapy or looking to explore long-standing patterns, relational counselling offers a safe, non-judgemental space where you can talk, reflect, and grow.
Understanding Relational Therapy
Relational therapy stems from both psychodynamic and humanistic traditions. From psychodynamic counselling, it borrows an interest in how early life experiences and unconscious processes influence current thoughts, emotions, and behaviour. By blending these insights with a focus on the here-and-now connection between therapist and client, relational therapy offers a powerful way to understand old patterns and practise new ways of relating.
This combination means you don’t just talk about relationships in theory – you experience them, explore them, and gently reshape them within a supportive environment.
The Importance of the Therapeutic Relationship
Research consistently shows that a strong, trusting bond between client and therapist is one of the best predictors of positive outcomes in counselling. In relational therapy, this connection is not just the backdrop; it’s central to the process.
Through an open, respectful relationship, you can:
- Experience being heard and understood at a deep level
- Explore feelings that may be difficult to share elsewhere
- Notice and work through patterns that appear in the therapy room and in your wider life
- Develop healthier, more satisfying ways of relating to yourself and others
Because relational therapy integrates psychodynamic thinking, we pay close attention to how early experiences might shape these patterns — and how awareness and empathy in the present can create lasting change.
What Relational Therapy Can Help With
Relational counselling can support people with a wide range of concerns, including:
- Anxiety, stress, or persistent worry
- Depression or low mood
- Difficulties in romantic, family, work, or abusive relationships
- Low self-esteem and self-criticism
- Childhood trauma, neglect, or attachment wounds
- Identity or life-stage transitions
- Repeated patterns that leave you feeling “stuck”
By combining psychodynamic understanding with a focus on the live connection between us, relational therapy helps you explore root causes while practising new relational skills in real time.
What to Expect in Sessions
Sessions usually take place once a week in a consistent setting, either face to face in Brighton or via secure online counselling. You don’t need to prepare a script or have everything figured out — we start wherever you feel comfortable.
Together, we explore what’s happening in your life and in the room between us. Sometimes this means gently looking at moments of connection, misunderstanding, or tension in the session itself. Far from being a sign something is “wrong,” these moments offer valuable information about how you relate and how change can happen.
Beginning Therapy With Me
Relational therapy provides a warm, collaborative environment where insight and healing can develop through genuine human connection. If you’d like to learn more or arrange an initial call, please get in touch — whether you’d prefer sessions in Brighton or online across the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions About Relational Therapy
How is relational therapy different from other approaches?
While many therapies focus mainly on techniques or symptom relief, relational counselling emphasises the relationship between client and therapist as a powerful agent for change.
How does relational therapy connect to psychodynamic counselling?
Relational therapy draws heavily on psychodynamic principles. It considers how past relationships and unconscious patterns shape the present, while also using the live connection with your therapist to explore and transform those patterns.
Can relational therapy help with trauma?
Yes. Building a safe, consistent relationship with your therapist can support recovery from trauma by providing stability, validation, and new ways of experiencing trust.
Is relational therapy available online?
Absolutely. Online sessions allow you to benefit from a supportive therapeutic relationship wherever you are in the UK.