Support for relationships at every stage of life

Many people hesitate to begin relationship counselling because they worry it means the relationship is beyond repair, or that counselling is only about staying together at all costs. Neither is true. In reality, relationship counselling is a supportive, structured space to understand what is happening, improve communication, and make informed choices that feel right for you — whether your goal is to strengthen the relationship, navigate change, or find a healthier way forward.

For many people, relationship counselling is the first time they have been supported to slow down and talk about the relationship in a focused, constructive way. With your relationship counsellor’s help, you can begin to identify the patterns shaping your relationship — such as communication, intimacy, parenting, work–life balance, family dynamics, and the impact of stress or life transitions. This understanding helps you move beyond “quick fixes” and towards meaningful, lasting change.

In couple therapy at Relationship Care, you will be supported to develop practical tools and skills you can use outside the session. This may include ways to communicate more clearly, manage conflict more safely, rebuild trust, strengthen intimacy, support your parenting relationship, and make space for each person’s needs. We work at a pace that feels manageable, with a focus on meaningful progress you can sustain over time.

Relationship counselling is available to all individuals and couples who need support. We provide a respectful, inclusive service for people of all backgrounds. Sessions can take place in person, online, or as a mix of both. As a registered not-for-profit, we offer free or subsidised, low-cost specialist relationship counselling based on your means. This work is supported through funding from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.

At The Couple Therapy Centre by Relationship Care, we have built an accessible and sustainable specialist relationship counselling service, designed to offer the right support — without a waiting list. Sessions are provided weekly from Monday to Thursday, with daytime and evening appointments available.

Specialist couple therapy differs from individual counselling. A couple therapist must attend to the wellbeing of the relationship as well as the needs of each person — supporting both partners in a way that is balanced, ethical, and clinically appropriate. It is important that your couple therapist is fully trained and experienced in working with relationships for individuals and couples.

When choosing a couple therapist or relationship counselling service, it can help to ask: • What specialist couple therapy training do you have (in addition to general counselling/psychotherapy training)? • Are you accredited or pre-accredited with a recognised professional body? • What experience do you have working with the issues we are facing? • How do you ensure the process is balanced and fair for both partners? -What should we expect in terms of structure, goals, and outcomes? If you are unsure where to start, we are happy to help you understand what to look for — with no pressure to proceed.

If you wish to see what relationship counselling can offer, you can start with a free Relationship Health Check. If you decide that relationship counselling is right for you, session contributions are based on household income. Session contribution rates (per session): • €0 — Medical/GP Visit Card, full-time student, or retired (fully funded) • €35 — Household income €35,000 or less • €50 — Household income €54,000 or less • €65 — Household income €55,000+ • €110 — Household income €120,000+ (nonsubsidised pay-it-forward) As our subsidised and fully funded sessions are supported through Tusla funding and public donations, we will ask for supporting documentation to confirm eligibility. For good governance, all financial contributions are made safely and securely online only.