Recent blog posts
9 ways to bring back the fun into your sex life
Let’s be honest: pressure doesn’t help things happen faster—or better. Piling stress onto your intimate relationships rarely leads to deeper connection or more satisfying experiences. In fact, it can often have the opposite effect. Sex and intimacy have plenty of benefits—not least of which is that they can be powerful stress relievers, according to research. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and want to shift your focus from stress to pleasure, here are some ideas to help you reconnect with desire and enjoy the moment. ________________________________________ Get in the Mood 1. Change your approach Initiating sex can feel nerve-wracking, whether you’re in […]
I want to talk about sex to my therapist
Talking About Sex in Counselling Sex and intimacy are important parts of many relationships—but talking about them isn’t always easy. It’s common to feel awkward or unsure about bringing up these topics, even in a counselling setting. I want you to know that it is okay. In fact, relationship counselling is often the ideal place to explore concerns around sex and intimacy in a safe, non-judgmental environment. ________________________________________ Why Talk About Sex in Counselling? When intimacy breaks down—whether due to mismatched desires, physical issues, or emotional disconnection—it can lead to tension, frustration, and hurt. Avoiding the subject only […]
How depression can impact a relationship
How Depression Can Affect a Relationship Depression is a common condition that affects around 1 in 5 people in the UK. It’s important to understand how depression can impact relationships, as well as how the relationship itself can influence the experience of depression. A healthy partnership can be a positive factor in managing the condition. Depression can make it harder to maintain a strong and fulfilling connection with a partner. Those experiencing depression often feel overwhelmed by negative emotions, which can affect their ability to communicate or find the energy and motivation that others might expect. This can also interfere […]
Ways to enhance intimacy in your relationship
Ways to Enhance Intimacy in Relationships For many people, falling in love can happen quickly and effortlessly. However, maintaining love and building strong foundations for a lasting relationship requires more commitment and effort as time goes on. This journey can be incredibly rewarding, as a healthy intimate connection fosters security, happiness, and improves overall well-being. While we often try to “fix” issues when things get tough, nurturing a relationship requires consistent effort, both during the good times and the challenging ones. Like any relationship, there will be ups and downs. If intimacy and communication are areas of struggle, seeking couples […]
Recovery from infidelity
Why do people cheat? There are many reasons people cheat, and while the causes can vary greatly, certain themes tend to appear repeatedly in counselling sessions. If you’re struggling to understand why it happened to you, considering the following reasons might help you make sense of it. Disconnection One of the most common reasons for infidelity is a sense of emotional distance between partners. When a relationship becomes predictable and familiar, cheating might feel like a way to introduce novelty and excitement. This disconnection can result from a variety of issues, such as a lack of communication about feelings or […]
Five communication tools for a happier relationship
1. Avoid sweeping things under the carpet Get into the habit of setting aside some time to talk. It can be tempting to think it’s easier to avoid tricky conversations to keep the peace. The trouble is that this breeds resentment and it will come out when one of you snaps. It’s far better to air disagreements regularly rather than keeping issues bottled up. 2. Don’t put the other party on the defensive How do you handle disagreements? Often, we are able to tell our partner everything they are doing wrong and accusing them of being the problem. This just […]
Welcome to Irene Searle Psychodynamic Counselling
Individual therapy and Couples Counselling in Basingstoke Irene Searle is a qualified Psychodynamic Counsellor based at Devonshire House, Aviary Court, Wade Road, Basingstoke, RG24 8PE. Sessions for individual therapy and couples counselling can be reached from the Basingstoke area, along with the surrounding villages of Cliddesden, Chineham, Crondall, Crookham Village, Church Crookham, Elvetham Heath, Farnham, Fleet, Hartley Wintney, North Warnborough, Oakley, Overton, and Old Basing.