Couple and Relationship Counselling
in Belfast,
Counselling for Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Self-esteem, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Work Stress, Couples and Relationships and more.
Providing Services
over 30+ Years
Introduction
Building Stronger Connections Through Couples Therapy
Only through our interactions with others do we come to know ourselves. Those closest to us are often those with whom we most struggle with when we are most angry. Couples come and see me for many reasons; maybe you seem to have the "same argument "over and over, maybe you are experiencing a lack of emotional, physical or sexual closeness or have poor communication patterns, or one of you has broken trust through having another relationship.
- Postgraduate Diploma in the Psychodynamics
- Certificate in Hakomi Body Centred Psychotherapy
- EMDR Level 1 and 2
- Registered Member of the British (BACP)
- I work to BACP’s code of ethics for good practice
- I hold a M.Sc in Guidance and Counselling (University of Ulster)
Key Information
A Safe Space for Understanding and Growth
It can help greatly to have a safe supportive environment to talk through these issues and to have a skilled professional to help you understand what is driving the problems and what will help to resolve them.
The way I work is based on the simple premise that the quality of the working relationship we build is key to the therapy being effective. The time is yours and my role is to help you through the process by creating a safe place in which you feel comfortable to talk through the personal and difficult areas in your life. I work with the issues that you bring, at a pace which is right for you and will support you in exploring options that help you reach a decision that feels right for you.
- Postgraduate Diploma in the Psychodynamics
- Certificate in Hakomi Body Centred Psychotherapy
- EMDR Level 1 and 2
- Registered Member of the British (BACP)
- I work to BACP’s code of ethics for good practice
- I hold a M.Sc in Guidance and Counselling (University of Ulster)
Couple and Relationship Counselling can help with
Couple and Relationship Counselling offers a supportive environment where partners can work together to address issues affecting their relationship. Whether you're experiencing communication breakdowns, intimacy issues, challenges with trust, or the lingering effects of trauma, therapy helps you both understand the underlying factors at play and provides tools to foster healthier, more fulfilling connections. Through counselling, couples can develop stronger communication skills, rebuild trust, and navigate difficult transitions, ultimately creating a more supportive and balanced partnership.
Our highly qualified relationship counsellors can help you resolve any of the following problems:
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Improving Communication
Counselling helps couples improve communication, express needs, and reduce misunderstandings."
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Rebuilding Trust
Therapy provides a space to rebuild trust through transparency, understanding, and accountability.
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Navigating Life Changes
Tailored therapy to suit both partners, helping navigate major life changes and strengthen your bond.
The Process
Enhancing Understanding Through Better Communication
Effective communication is at the core of any healthy relationship. Many couples find themselves stuck in patterns where their needs are misunderstood or overlooked, leading to frustration and conflict. Couple and relationship counselling offers a structured space to improve communication by helping partners express themselves more clearly, listen actively, and understand each other's perspectives. By learning new communication techniques and creating an environment of mutual respect, couples can address challenges in a more constructive manner, reducing misunderstandings and fostering deeper connection. Therapy helps to move away from defensive or reactive responses, allowing couples to approach difficult conversations with empathy and openness.
Restoring Trust and Transparency
Trust is a vital foundation in any relationship, but it can be fragile. When trust is broken—whether due to infidelity, dishonesty, or past hurt—it can feel impossible to rebuild. However, with time, commitment, and the right support, it is possible to restore trust. In relationship counselling, the therapist helps partners work through their feelings of betrayal, identify the root causes of trust issues, and create a plan for rebuilding trust. This process involves rebuilding transparency, accountability, and vulnerability in the relationship. Couples will learn how to set healthy boundaries, re-establish emotional safety, and take active steps to rebuild their relationship in a way that feels authentic to both partners.
Adapting Together in Times of Change
Life transitions, such as moving in together, having children, changing careers, or facing the loss of a loved one, can put significant stress on a relationship. These shifts often bring about new challenges, forcing couples to adapt and grow together in different ways. Couple counselling offers support during these transitions, providing a safe space for partners to discuss their evolving needs and challenges. With the help of a trained therapist, couples can navigate these changes, strengthen their bond, and develop strategies to maintain intimacy and connection. Whether it’s adjusting to new roles, managing conflict during stressful times, or redefining relationship dynamics, counselling empowers couples to face life’s challenges with understanding and resilience.
Every journey starts with a first step, make yours today.
Would you like to explore your mental health wellbeing? Reach out today to start your journey towards healing and personal growth with a compassionate, professional counsellor by your side.
Supporting LGBTQ+ Relationships Through Couples Counselling
Couple and relationship counselling can be particularly helpful for LGBTQ+ couples who may face unique challenges related to societal expectations, discrimination, or differing experiences of identity. Navigating these complexities with a skilled professional allows partners to explore their feelings in a supportive and inclusive environment. Therapy provides a space for LGBTQ+ couples to address challenges such as communication barriers, navigating family dynamics, or managing external pressures while reinforcing their connection and building resilience as a couple. Whether you are in a long-term relationship or just starting out, LGBTQ+ couples counselling offers support to strengthen understanding, trust, and intimacy, tailored to your unique experiences.
In this space, LGBTQ+ couples can also work through issues related to gender identity, coming out, or dealing with discrimination and stigma. Therapy can offer both partners tools to communicate more effectively, process their individual experiences, and create a safe space for mutual support. By addressing these challenges with empathy and respect, counselling can help foster deeper connection, emotional intimacy, and a stronger, more resilient relationship.
Other Services
Other areas of Counselling,
see how I can help
Counselling offers support for a wide range of challenges, providing a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or trauma, therapy helps you understand your experiences and work towards positive change.
It can also address issues like workplace stress, relationship challenges, or personal growth. Whatever you’re facing, counselling provides tools and guidance to build resilience and move forward with clarity and confidence.
- Workplace Anxiety
- Childhood Trauma
- Depression
- Social Anxiety
- Relationship Breakdown
- Grief Support
- Self-Esteem Struggles
- Nature-Based Therapy
- EMDR for Healing
- Body Image & Eating
Every journey starts with a first step, make yours today.
I offer flexible counselling options, including both in-person and remote sessions, allowing you to choose the format that best fits your lifestyle and comfort level.
In-person Sessions
In-person counselling provides a unique opportunity for connection and support in a comfortable environment. Meeting face-to-face allows for deeper emotional exchange and fosters a strong therapeutic relationship. Together, we’ll create a safe space to explore your challenges and work towards healing in a supportive atmosphere.
Remote Options
Remote counselling allows you to connect from home via phone or the video platform Zoom. This flexible option makes it easy to fit sessions into your schedule while ensuring meaningful therapeutic conversations in a convenient setting.
Client reviews
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Depression
"I lost my relationship and my job and was at an all time low, I had gone to see many counsellors, many of whom didn’t help me. Jean did. She was real with me, she listened, she recognised my pain, I felt she was with me in my pain and wasn’t scared of it. Quite simply I wouldn’t have turned my life around without her. She was only one I could trust and who gave me the care and support I needed."
J, 54
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Depression
"I was scared going to my first counselling session but Jean was warm, welcoming and professional. She put me at ease and I was able to say things to her that I had never told anyone before. I was able to understand my behaviour and my pain so much more and to gradually change my life. I was able to put old ghosts to rest and enjoy my life again."
B, 39
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Anxiety
"Going to counselling was so helpful. I was really anxious, couldn’t concentrate, couldn’t settle, was wakening up every night and felt so vulnerable. I felt I had lost everything and didn’t know where to turn. Through being listened to and heard, I came to understand some of why I was behaving the way I was and through Jean’s gentle probing I was able to look at my attitudes and behaviour and see how it was making things worse. I am so grateful that I had the courage to pick up the phone and make an appointment. Money well spent."
A, 41
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Anxiety
"I have had many problems through out my life and seeing Jean has been a lifesaver for me. I never thought I could change my life around in the way I have. Counselling was painful at times, looking at things that had happened in the past, but Jean supported me and was my ally during this process. She allowed me to express my painful emotions, give me hope that I could survive and I did."
L, 60
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Body Centred Psychotherapy
"Jean really helped me to feel my emotions, I had cut off from my body and was living in my head. I was just like an automaton, going through the emotions. My relationship had broken down and I was devastated. Jean sat with me and gradually I was able to come into my body and to feel again and eventually connect with friends again and not feel so alone or separate. Jean allowed me to feel safe enough to feel some of my emotions and to feel my fears. I never felt judged, I felt heard and valued and gradually came to believe again that it was safe enough for me to speak what I was feeling and that I could survive what I had experienced. "
K, 53
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Couple Counselling
"I feel excellent progress has been made in our relationship and wish I had considered the counselling earlier. Although difficult and painful at times, having a neutral and honest assessment of our needs was extremely beneficial "
J, 33
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Couple Counselling
"Jean is such a good counsellor, she gives an excellent service. We had just got civil partnered and thought it would be the happiest days of our lives, but we were struggling in our relationship. Though counselling we learned how to sort out our differences without hurting each other and we have grown closer together. We would go and see Jean if the need arises but we are able to talk things out now and realise how we wind up each other. We are now practicing how to put what we have learned into practice. Thank you"
M, 36 and D, 38
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Couple Counselling
"My husband and I still loved each other but couldn’t find a way through. We had stopped communicating with each other and were living separate lives and were pretty much done. For the sake of the children we thought we would go and see a counsellor. We went to see Jean and it really helped us, we got to understand at a deeper level what the problems were, how we had stopped supporting each other and most importantly how to fix. We are still married and the children are thriving."
E, 39 and W, 43
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Food and Body Image
"I hated my body and went to see Jean to lose weight. I got so much more than that. I was surprised at what I found out. I got to understand why I was eating and how food was an emotional crutch for me and how it was easier to hate my body and myself, rather than deal with some of the hateful and horrible things that had happened to me in my life."
C, 44
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Food and Body Image
"My life looked perfect on the outside but had crumbled on the inside. I was feeling desperate and just couldn’t cope any more. I was binge eating and hating myself. It was a long and tough journey but with Jean’s knowledge, skills and understanding I have stopped striving for the perfect life and the perfect me. Instead I have opened up to friends and family and am much happier."
S, 34
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Nature
"Jean has a real gift to connect with people and to understand them. I had tried talking to other therapists and it hadn’t helped. When I spoke to Jean she understood this and suggested that we see each other outside and and be in nature. I found this so healing and less intimidating. It allowed me to feel my breath, to feel my legs, to feel the earth beneath me, I felt less alone. Jean and nature helped soothe me and allowed me to heal"
T, 53
Jean McMinn Therapy
Counselling & Psychotherapy in Belfast Holywood - Counselling for Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Self-esteem, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Work Stress, Couples and Relationship and more.
Bangor - Cultra - Newtownards - Carrickfergus - Belfast City Centre - Donaghadee - Lisburn - Dundonald - Groomsport - Larne - Cookstown - Omagh - Gortin - Carrickmore - Pomeroy in Co Tyrone - Derry - Monaghan - Holywood - Comber