Accord: Couples urged not to wait for a crisis

Couples are being encouraged to consider relationship counselling before problems reach crisis point, as figures from Accord’s 2025 couple therapy service highlight how people seek support at every stage of their relationships.

Mary Johnson, Accord’s specialist in counselling, said, “Concerns in a couple relationship deserve early attention. Left unspoken, they can become harder to resolve or negotiate. There is often a perception that couple therapy is a last resort for relationships in serious difficulty. However, relationship experts say it can also help couples navigate life changes, improve communication and strengthen their connection before difficulties become overwhelming.”

Figures from Accord’s 2025 couple therapy service show that: 4% sought support before their first wedding anniversary; 26% of those attending had been together for between one and ten years; 32% had been together for eleven to twenty years; 23% had shared between 21 and 30 years together; 8% attending after 31 to 40 years as a couple; and, 3% had been together for between 41 and 50 years.

Ms Johnson continued, “These figures highlight how relationship challenges can arise at different stages of life, rather than being confined to couples experiencing a breakdown. In the early years, couples may need support as they establish a home, navigate financial decisions and learn to manage disagreements.

“Later, the pressures of parenting, careers and caring responsibilities can leave partners feeling disconnected, with everyday conversations increasingly focused on practical matters rather than their relationship. For couples in later life, retirement, grown-up children leaving home, bereavement and health changes can bring fresh challenges and prompt questions about the future.“Accord couple therapy can provide a space for partners to understand each other’s perspectives, recognise recurring patterns and find healthier ways to communicate.

“Seeking help does not mean a relationship is failing. Instead, it can be a positive step towards addressing concerns, rebuilding closeness or simply ensuring both partners feel heard.”Ms Johnson concluded, “With relationships changing through different seasons of life, I would like to reassure couples that there is no single right time to seek support – and that an early conversation could make a lot of difference.”