About Sarah Mac Farlane Counselling & Psychotherapy services

Why Couples Seek Therapy—and How It Can Help

Every relationship faces challenges, but sometimes those challenges start to feel overwhelming, repetitive, or stuck. Whether you're facing ongoing conflict, distance, betrayal, or simply feel like you're drifting apart, couples therapy offers a space to reconnect, repair, and rebuild.

Couples seek therapy for many reasons, including

Communication breakdowns or frequent arguments
Emotional disconnection or intimacy issues
Trust issues, including the impact of affairs or betrayal
Navigating major life transitions or parenting challenges
Recovering from trauma—individual or shared
Feeling like you’re living more like roommates than partners
Wanting to strengthen an already solid relationship

Couples therapy isn’t just for relationships in crisis—it’s also for those who want to deepen their connection, improve how they navigate conflict, or prepare for the future. Therapy provides tools, insights, and a supportive space to help both partners feel heard and understood while working together toward lasting change.

My Approach to Couples Therapy

I draw from evidence-based methods that are grounded in decades of research and clinical success. Every couple is different, and I tailor my approach to your unique needs and relationship dynamics—while using tools that are proven to work.

The Gottman Method

I have completed Levels 1 and 2 training in the Gottman Method, along with specialized training in working with trauma and affairs. This approach is based on over 40 years of research by Drs. John and Julie Gottman and focuses on strengthening the “Sound Relationship House,” which includes:

Building love maps and friendship
Managing conflict in healthy ways
Creating shared meaning
Strengthening commitment and trust

Gottman interventions are structured, goal-oriented, and practical. They help couples learn to reduce conflict, increase affection and intimacy, and deepen understanding of each other’s inner world.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

I also draw on Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples, which helps partners understand and shift the emotional patterns that keep them stuck. EFT focuses on creating secure emotional bonds by helping couples move from conflict and disconnection toward closeness and safety.

This approach is especially helpful for couples who experience cycles of withdrawal, criticism, or emotional distance. It supports partners in expressing their deeper needs and vulnerabilities, leading to a more secure and connected relationship.

What to Expect in Couples Therapy

Couples Sessions:

The therapy process is designed to be structured yet flexible—giving us time to assess your relationship and then move into meaningful, targeted work.

Session 1: Relationship Assessment

In our first session together, I meet with both of you to learn about your relationship history, current concerns, and your hopes for therapy. This session helps me understand your patterns, strengths, and challenges.

Session 2: Individual Sessions

Next, I meet with each partner individually. This gives you space to share your personal perspective, background, and experiences that may be affecting the relationship. It also helps me better understand each partner’s inner world and emotional needs.

Session 3 and Onward: Intervention and Growth

Starting in our third session, we come back together and begin the core work. This is where the interventions from the Gottman Method and EFT are used to help you:

Improve communication and emotional connection
Rebuild trust and heal from past hurts
Strengthen intimacy and shared goals
Develop tools to navigate future challenges together

I offer sessions both in person and online, depending on what’s most convenient and comfortable for you as a couple.

What It’s Like to Work With Me

Clients often tell me they feel safe, seen, and genuinely understood in our sessions. I bring a warm, grounded, and real presence to the work—we laugh sometimes, we hold space for hard things, and we stay focused on what matters most: your connection.

I’m not here to take sides or keep score. My role is to help you both feel heard and to guide you toward patterns that support—not sabotage—your relationship. I show up with empathy, curiosity, and respect for where you are and where you want to go.

At the same time, I bring a high level of training, experience, and skill to this work. I’ve spent years studying what makes relationships thrive, including advanced training in the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy. I use that knowledge to create sessions that are not only compassionate but also effective and grounded in research.

Whether you're navigating something painful or simply looking to grow, you’ll find that I’m fully in it with you—supportive, honest, and committed to helping you build a relationship that feels secure, resilient, and deeply connected.

I also offer a Couples 8 Session Program:

Couples Therapy: 8-Session Program Based on Gottman’s Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work

Couples Therapy Program – The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work

8-Session Block with Sarah MacFarlane | Couples Counselling in Worcester

Are you looking to strengthen your relationship, improve communication, and reconnect with your partner?

I offer an 8-session couples therapy package based on the internationally acclaimed Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by Dr. John Gottman. This structured program blends evidence-based tools with practical relationship skills to help couples build lasting connection and resolve conflict more effectively.

Whether you're facing challenges or simply want to deepen your bond, this course is ideal for couples who are ready to invest in their relationship in a focused and supportive environment.

What You’ll Cover in Each Session

Session 1: Relationship Check-In & Building Love Maps

We begin by exploring your relationship story and getting clear on what you both want. You'll learn how to "build love maps"—deepening your understanding of each other’s inner world, daily life, and emotional needs.

Session 2: Nurture Fondness and Admiration

Rediscover what you appreciate about one another. You’ll practice expressing respect and appreciation—two of the most protective factors in any relationship.

Session 3: Turn Towards Instead of Away

Learn how to recognise and respond to emotional bids. These small moments of connection are the building blocks of intimacy and trust.

Session 4: Let Your Partner Influence You

This session focuses on equality and shared decision-making. Couples learn how to manage power dynamics and truly listen to each other’s perspectives.

Session 5: Manage Conflict Effectively – Part 1

You'll learn proven Gottman techniques for navigating disagreement without damaging your bond. We focus on soft start-ups, self-soothing, and recognising stuck conflict patterns.

Session 6: Manage Conflict Effectively – Part 2

We continue working with conflict—teaching repair attempts, how to compromise effectively, and finding common ground even when you disagree.

Session 7: Make Life Dreams Come True

Supporting each other's life goals builds connection. This session helps you talk about deeper dreams, hopes, and aspirations—creating space for growth and partnership.

Session 8: Create Shared Meaning & Review

In the final session, we bring all the principles together and focus on rituals, shared goals, and values. You'll leave with a tailored plan to keep your relationship strong in the long term.

Why Choose This Program?

✔ Evidence-based tools grounded in the Gottman Method
✔ A structured approach to strengthen your bond
✔ Focused sessions tailored to your relationship dynamics
✔ Support from a qualified couples therapist in Worcester

Booking Details

Location: In-person in Worcester or online via secure video
Duration: 8 weekly sessions (60 minutes each)
Investment: Please contact me for current pricing and availability
To book: counselling@sarahmacfarlane.co.uk