John Woolner

Why choose Couples Therapy?
From my experience as a systemic psychotherapist, I realise that couples can often find themselves feeling stuck. Discussions often lead into arguments, covering the same ground, with no apparent resolution. For example, one partner may want more closeness and the other more independence. This can result in increased frustration for those involved. They may feel misunderstood or not listened to, or that their partner is to blame for the state of the relationship and is the one that needs to make changes. Very often the solutions individuals or the couple employ don't seem to work.

It may be that a recent event or an event from years ago is negatively affecting the relationship. Alternatively, a life change may put stress on the relationship, such as changes in the family life-cycle, having children in adolescence, a crisis, the birth of a baby, a death.

Couple's therapy will offer you the opportunity to explore the presenting problems from different perspectives. It seeks to understand where your beliefs, values and expectations come from and how they impact on the relationship. Solutions often arise to problems that had seemed irresolvable. The therapy doesn't direct, but rather seeks to help you have different sorts of conversations, ones which are non-blaming, and which to lead your own preferred solutions.

John Woolner
I am registered with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) as a systemic couple and family psychotherapist. The UKCP exists to promote and maintain the profession of psychotherapy and the highest standards in the practice of psychotherapy. It regards the regulation of psychotherapists and the public accountability of their practice as of paramount importance.

I qualified with an MSc in couple and family therapy at the Institute of Family Therapy in 2000. Since then I have been employed within the Devon Partnership NHS Trust as a couple and family therapist, worked for a GP surgery on behalf of parents concerned about children with behavioural and/or emotional difficulties, and been employed for an organisation working with men who have experienced sexual abuse. For the past five years I have trained Relate graduates and post-graduates, supervised family counsellors and offered continuing professional development. I now also work as a trainer on behalf of the Institute of Family Therapy.

Prior to training as a couple and family therapist, I worked within the field of mental health for both social services and the NHS, and have also had experience of working in fostering and adoption and older people's services.

Making Contact

Please feel free to telephone me direct for a brief and confidential conversation.

Telephone: 07875 297964

Email: johnwoolner2@hotmail.com