Relationship Counselling

[kittykitchn]

I want to do ahead with some couples counselling, but not sure who to choose from.

Does anyone have any experience with either Relate or Marriage Care?

Many thanks

 

[mylullaby]

Not sure if this will make a difference to your decision, but Relate is non-religious whereas Marriage Care has Catholic routes. I haven't used either but have heard positive reports about both - I know a few couples who have done the mandatory Marriage Care course before getting married in a Catholic church and one couple who went to Relate for counselling (don't know the details but they're still together now) From what I have heard, Marriage Care don't go on and on about God all the time or anything like that and very little of the course actually related to religion - the focus is very much on love / relationships, but if you're an atheist, you might want to try Relate in the first instance? Either way, it might be worth bearing in mind?

 

[kittykitchn]

Not sure if this will make a difference to your decision, but Relate is non-religious whereas Marriage Care has Catholic routes. I haven't used either but have heard positive reports about both - I know a few couples who have done the mandatory Marriage Care course before getting married in a Catholic church and one couple who went to Relate for counselling (don't know the details but they're still together now) From what I have heard, Marriage Care don't go on and on about God all the time or anything like that and very little of the course actually related to religion - the focus is very much on love / relationships, but if you're an atheist, you might want to try Relate in the first instance? Either way, it might be worth bearing in mind?

Funnily enough, I just saw on their website that they were "Catholic Marriage Care Ltd". I know this shouldn't persuade me in either direction, but I had wondered whether they would be religious based because of this, or unbiased... I think I will go with Relate, there seem to be a lot of good reviews.

 

[mylullaby]

I agree that Relate seem good. I don't agree that it shouldn't persuade you either way though - you definitely need to speak to someone who understands your values and the way you see relationships. That isn't going to happen if you're listening to someone talk about a god you don't believe in. I think Marriage Care would be excellent if you're Catholic or even just believe in god, but if you want the professional support without that element then I'd say Relate will definitely be your best bet. Hope you're ok? xx