How It Works

How does it start?

At the outset an initial consultation will be arranged where your situation and needs can be thought about and assessed. This assessment is designed to determine whether this type of psychotherapy is appropriate for you. There is no commitment for to continue beyond the initial assessment. The consultation will be chargeable. To discuss costs and or arrange an initial consultation, get in contact.

How often are sessions?

If after your initial assessment it is agreed to continue consultations, the next step is to discuss when and how often sessions should be held. Typically couples benefit from weekly sessions which take place at a regular time, with an open ended agreement, but occasionally a fixed number of sessions is agreed. Couple sessions last for one hour.

The ending of the therapy is usually discussed and agreed well in advance.

How long will it last?

Over a period of time our sessions will explore the issues that are causing conflict, in order to bring about a long-term change in your relationship. Analytical psychotherapy is a commitment to lasting change, not a quick fix. Each person's needs are different, so some couples find they only need a few sessions while others return for many months.

Where will sessions take place?

Sessions usually take place at consultation rooms in Portwrinkle, Cornwall, which offers a calm and neutral environment. This is 6 miles west of the Torpoint ferry. However if distance is prohibitive the sessions can be done over Zoom.

How much will it cost?

Fees are negotiated at your initial assessment and under certain circumstances can be varied according to your means, in order to allow as many people as possible access to psychotherapy services. An indicative cost for the initial assessment is £80.

Is it confidential?

Absolutely, any discussions during psychotherapy sessions are kept entirely confidential.

Is it too late for my relationship?

Many people are able to improve their relations following analytical psychotherapy, however some decide that it is time for the relationship to come to an end. Whatever the outcome, psychotherapy sessions offer support and assistance through the entire journey and help you arrive at the best possible conclusion.

Is it for me?

People use psychotherapy services for many reasons and from a variety of backgrounds. You may be part of a couple who:

• are arguing more and more
• where communication has broken down
• where it feels there is no understanding
• who are contemplating separation or divorce

You may have experienced the upheaval of a life-changing event like the birth of a new child, retirement or being made redundant. You may be adjusting to a new family arrangement following remarriage or moving in together.

Alternatively, you may be a step parent or part of a combined family, struggling to deal with new relationships and arrangements surrounding ex partners, shared parenting and extended biological families, including grandparents.

Whatever the reasons or background - young or old, same sex or heterosexual, rural or urban, living together or brought together through circumstance - an initial consultation will assess your needs and help you decide whether psychotherapy will benefit you.

Do you deal with same sex couples?

Yes, psychotherapy deals with the difficulties encountered by each individual, whatever their age, sexuality, religious or cultural background. These play an important role in defining each person's identity, outlook and experiences, and present each relationship with unique challenges.

What if my partner is unwilling to participate?

It's possible to see one person on their own but it is much better to discuss relationship problems if both are present, so do try to encourage your partner to attend. However if this is not possible, or if you want to discuss a past relationship which has broken down, please do get in touch to arrange an assessment of whether psychotherapy might be able to help.

Do you deal with sexual problems?

Yes, specialist therapy training allows help for those experiencing sexual problems or difficulties. Whether the sexual problems relate to issues which occurred recently or in the distant past, psychotherapy deals with the underlying cause as well as the symptoms that currently affect your sexual relations.

Will there be homework?

No, all issues are discussed in the therapy room.

What are your qualifications?

Read the about section for a full description of Susan Irving's professional qualifications and clinical experience.

What is offered

Tamar Psychotherapy offers a range of services to couples who are experiencing relationship difficulties.

Couple Psychotherapy

Couple Psychotherapy explores relationships at greater depth than many other forms of counselling or other therapy. It is based on the insights drawn from psychoanalysis and aims to understand the difficulties couples sometimes face, with a view to establishing a long lasting change in the relationship.

Co- Parents

Co- Parents - this usually helps couples who have already separated, or indeed may never have been 'together' in any formal sense as a couple. Examples may be divorced parents, guardians or couples who have experienced assisted conception, this applies frequently with same sex couples.

Blended families

Blended families - offering support for the problems and conflicts of loyalty that can arise in combined, reconstituted or step families following new relationships or remarriage.