Smart solutions for better relationships

 To achieve this Relate NI provides a range of services, such as:

Counselling – for individuals, couples and families to address issues such as, communication within the family, interpersonal relationships, grief, loss, family and siblings, depression or anxiety, self destructive behaviours, power and abuse of control, self esteem and self confidence, sexual problems, separation or divorce, affairs, domestic abuse and family violence and parenting issues.

Psychosexual Therapy – for individuals or couples experiencing problems in their sexual relationships or who are experiencing sexual dysfunctions.

Life Skills Training – providing training to couples or to groups on issues such as listening skills, basic counselling skills, developing better relationships, moving on following divorce or separation and coping with life stages such as family leaving home etc.

Relate NI services are provided through centres in Belfast, Newry, L’Derry, Portadown, Coleraine and Cookstown and can, by arrangement, be provided in other localities and community centres.  Access to Relate services is very straight forward and can be arranged by individuals and families contacting our appointments office.  Referrals are not necessary, but referrals can be arranged through a GP, social worker or health visitor etc.

Relate NI works very closely with the DHSSPS, the 5 Health and Social Care Trusts and the Health and Social Care Board in the provision of services to the public.  We also work on a contract basis with the NI Prison Service, Probation Board for Northern Ireland, schools and a range of voluntary and community groups.  In our service evaluations completed by clients, 72% of clients who attended indicated that they wished they had come much sooner.  93% rated the services as excellent or good and 92% indicated that they would certainly recommend their friends and family to Relate.

Relationships are perfectly natural, but they are not naturally perfect.  Many factors and circumstances have a direct impact on personal relationships and it is often only when they reach a crisis point that one realises that help is required. Counselling offers an opportunity to explore such issues with a skilled qualified counsellor in a neutral setting to explore ways to address such issues and find a better way forward. Most people agree it is better to seek counselling sooner rather than waiting for a crisis.  Counselling depending upon the nature and complexity of the issues to be addressed, will generally require between 2 and 8 sessions.  Counselling is undertaken on a confidential basis unless the issues disclosed impact on the safety of others, in which case these will have to be reported.

Comments from clients:

My sessions at Relate have been so beneficial to me, emotionally, self worth, self respect and has made me reflect on my past experiences to improve and focus on my future.

I found my counsellor to be one of the most professional people we ever met; he is a credit to this process.  I can't thank him enough.

Felt I gained much better insight into the person I am and how to manage my feelings for a happier and more peaceful life.

 I would just like to say again that you provide an excellent service and that your counsellor was excellent and found many ways of raising my awareness of how relationships work.

 Thought counsellor was going to tell me what to do at start, how to feel better, but as weeks progressed I found out that only me could find answers and this counselling has really helped me to look at myself in a different light.

 I have found counselling a very positive experience which has changed me as a person and us as a couple.  We are indebted.

Counsellor was excellent at handling the many difficult positions I found myself in.  A direct and honest counsellor who is without a doubt a credit to the service and more importantly a good person in all aspects of humanity.  A big thank you, words will never be enough.

The counselling service was insightful, empathic, practical and beneficial.

I found the whole Relate experience very worthwhile, I feel it helped us to save our marriage and understand each more.  Our counsellor was a wonderful facilitator in this.  Thanks.

Just to thank my counsellor with sincere gratitude for all she did for me and my family.

Since coming to Relate I am able to see things from a different perspective.  I feel I have been able to grow as a person and find an inner peace.  Thank you so much for all your help.

I was impressed with the whole service, including the central location of the building, its comfort and cleanliness etc.  Most of all I was very appreciative of my counsellor's professionalism and support.  I would recommend Relate to anyone in my position.