Welcome to the Relationship-Counselling Newsletter.

This newsletter contains news and articles about relationships and personal growth and introduces new courses for 2010.

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Warm wishes,
Paul Gale-Baker

News

Relationship is Good for Your Health!

Swedish research has shown that people with a partner or married halved their risk of dementia in later life.

The study authors say that living in a close relationship provides intense social and intellectual stimulation.

Produced by the Karolinska Institute, the study is a reminder that while lasting relationships require work, there is a very significant payoff!

Relationships Get Better with Age

There is strong evidence that we are better at relationship the older we get. According to a study published in Current Directions in Psychological Science, older couples report better relationships and more supportive friendships.

The study found a number of factors contributed to improved relationships, including a tendency to be more respectful and an ability to manage emotions better.

London Convergence

In my role as Director of Voice Dialogue Australia, I will be attending the 2010 International Voice Dialogue Convergence in London.

Voice Dialogue is an experiential method used with individuals and couples to help deepen their understanding and experience of the various parts of themselves which can impact relationships negatively until we are able to understand and manage them.

Where appropriate, I use Voice Dialogue as part of individual and couple work, where it is a powerful way of understanding patterns and interactions between people. It also helps us to understand ourselves and resolve a wide range of issues.

My Masters research studied the impact of using Voice Dialogue with couples.

Course Update

Relationship Renovation

Relationship Renovation offers participants the opportunity to learn how to recognise recurring, negative patterns in their relationship and gives couples the tools to change these patterns. This course can help you build a more satisfying, intimate and communicative relationship.

The course provides a safe, comfortable environment to explore your relationship. You will not be asked to share personal information.

Click to read more about the course

Articles

Is There a 'Right' Method of Counselling

There appears to be no one 'right' method of counselling or therapy, for individuals or for couples.

Most recognised approaches (and there are hundreds of them!) appear to be useful to some extent. Most counsellors are trained in and use a range of approaches.

Counsellors I speak to agree generally that they try to suit the approach used to the client, whether this is individual counselling or couple work.

In my practice I use a range of methods, including family systems, mindfulness, emotionally focused couple therapy and Voice Dialogue.

Research suggests that even more than the method used, it is the relationship which develops between the counsellor and the client(s) which is the most helpful aspect.

It is important for clients to feel that they are working with a counsellor that feels right to them.

Have Your Say

If there is a topic you are interested in, email your question and I will do my best to provide an answer. I may also use it as the basis for an article in the newsletter.

Please note that this is not intended for counselling purposes, but for general information and education.

All material Copyright © Paul Gale-Baker, 2010