Couples Therapy For Expats

Here's what expat couples tell me. Maybe you relate?

How Couples Therapy Works 

Session Times

My couples Sessions are for 1 hour and 15 minutes. This is longer than the standard, but in my experience, longer sessions work better for couples as it provides enough space and time for both of you.

We generally meet weekly, though I can be flexible to your needs.

Option Two: Single Session

If you're experiencing a crisis and overwhelming emotions such as anger, I can offer you a single session to alleviate your current stress and restore calm. This will give you clarity to see how the therapy process can help you, before booking a block of sessions to help you move forward in your relationship.

Session Fees

Please see this pdf for session fees: https://marleneroseshaw.com/couplesfees

Next Step

Please fill out the enquiry form.

Couples Therapy FAQs

How do we know if we need couples therapy?

Relationships tend to do much better when they’re given time and attention. Couples therapy can be helpful at any stage of a relationship — whether you’re just starting out and want to create a solid foundation, you’re facing some of the usual challenges that come up for couples and want to work through them before they become bigger issues, or you’re looking to recapture the connection you once had.

What happens when you first contact a couples therapist?

A professional couples therapist will often have an intake form on their website, designed with thoughtful questions that help them understand the specific issues troubling you. By answering these questions, you’re not only helping the therapist get a clearer picture, you’re also taking the first steps towards feeling more empowered and proactive about your relationship.

After you submit the form, the therapist will typically respond within 48 hours, either via email or by providing a scheduling link, to arrange a convenient time for you to first meet. It's a very good idea to find a therapist who offers a free consultation, so they can ensure that they’re the right person to help, or if they can refer you to someone more suitable to your needs.

How long does couples therapy take before we start seeing progress?

It really depends on the specific issues you bring into therapy; progress can vary from couple to couple, depending on your unique circumstances and goals.

However, working with a professional therapist, you should begin to notice progress within just a few sessions. Typically, I work with couples for six to twelve sessions.

It's helpful to remember that your decision to start couples counselling shows your commitment to making positive change - it's a great first step in your progress. 

How do I find a good couples therapist?

A professional couples therapist will have significant training, qualifications and experience.

Plus,ask for recommendations from people you know, or look for testimonials on the therapist's website. Also if they've enhanced their practice by writing books etc this will give you some guidance on how they work.

Make sure to get a free consultation so you can get to meet them before making a commitment.

What qualifications should a couples therapist have?

A professional couples therapist will have a foundation training in therapy or counselling itself, plus an additional specialised training in couples work. Ideally, they’ll also have a psychology related degree, which adds depth to their expertise.

However, it’s not just about academic qualifications. A fully qualified couples therapist will have significant hands-on experience working with couples. They’ll also have extensive experience working with individual people, from diverse walks of life and in different settings. This means they not only understand how couples interact, but they also deeply understand each person as an individual and what they bring to a relationship.

It's a good idea to find out more about your therapist; their philosophy and approach. Many experienced therapists write books, guest on podcasts etc. This will give you more insight into them so that you can get an idea if they’d be a good match for you.

Do couples therapists offer a first free session?

Yes, some therapists do offer a free first session - this is often more of a shorter consultation than a full length session. It gives you an opportunity to get to know them to see if you feel comfortable. It also gives them the opportunity to ensure that they’re the right person to help you, or if they can refer you to someone more suitable to your needs.

How much does couples therapy cost?

Some therapists put their prices on their website. Others will happily let you know if you enquire - without you having to make any commitment. 

It's very useful to bear in mind that the cost of couples therapy is largely dependent on the therapist’s professional standing. The more experienced they are, the more likely it is that they can help you get results quickly. 

This means that investing in a highly qualified therapist can often be much more cost-effective for you in the long run as you’ll need far fewer sessions.

It’s also important to consider that it can be tempting to spend money on distractions, such as expensive holidays or lifestyle upgrades, in an attempt to ‘mend’ a difficult relationship. While these distractions might provide temporary relief, the underlying issues resurface. Addressing these issues with a professionally trained therapist means you can resolve them. Often also preventing more significant costs down the line, such as the financial costs of separation or divorce.

Is it too late for couples therapy?

It’s never too late for couples therapy. I've worked with many couples who believe their relationship is beyond repair only to see a remarkable turnaround with the right professional help. Clearing unresolved hurts and learning helpful communication skills can make a profound difference.

I see around 5% of couples who choose to end their relationship in its current form. If you ultimately choose to part ways as a couple, my aim as a professional is to help you have the best possible ending, whether that means creating a stronger friendship, co-parenting or maintaining a stress free business partnership. The aim is to navigate your relationship in the healthiest way possible, and if it does end, it’s done with mutual respect and care.

What happens in couples therapy sessions?

Couples therapists have their own approaches. I start with a free initial consultation so that we can meet. You can make sure you feel comfortable with me, and I can make sure I’m the right person to help you.

At the beginning of your sessions, our focus is on getting very clear about the issues that are bothering you along with setting goals for what you want for your relationship going forward.

A core part of couples therapy is communication. Often, couples struggle to communicate because they fear being judged or misunderstood by each other. If there have been many arguments, you may well avoid sensitive topics. In our sessions I help you get things out into the open while making sure you feel safe, heard and understood by each other so that you can resolve the problems that you've been experiencing.

We also explore how your individual past experiences and family dynamics from your own childhoods may be impacting your relationship. This helps you gain a deeper understanding of each other. We also consider current external influences, such as your extended family, work, and children, to help you set healthy boundaries for your relationship.

Additionally, I provide my clients with practical tools and exercises to practise between sessions, which help to reinforce what we covered in the session. 

How many couples therapy sessions will we need?

The number of sessions really depends on the issues you bring and the complexity of your situation. Generally, the more experienced and highly qualified the therapist, the quicker they can help you resolve your challenges. On average, I typically see clients for around six to twelve sessions. Many couples also find it beneficial to schedule occasional follow-up sessions as needed, giving them a chance to check in and receive ongoing support from a therapist who already knows them well.

Can couples therapy help if one of us isn’t sure they want to stay in the relationship?

Yes, it definitely can. It’s not unusual for one partner to feel uncertain. The process of therapy will give you the chance to understand the underlying issues that contribute to that uncertainty. It also means you know you've done your absolute best for your relationship by exploring and addressing issues before making any final decisions. 

What if my partner doesn’t really want couples therapy?

It’s not uncommon for one partner to feel hesitant about having sessions. This is often because they worry about being judged or that the therapist might take sides. It’s important to know that couples therapy is designed to support the relationship as a whole and to ensure that both partners feel heard, accepted and respected.

In my professional experience, having some sessions by yourself can be very helpful. When your partner begins to see the positive changes and the clarity that comes from your individual sessions, it can encourage them to come into sessions with you as a couple.

Can a couples therapist see us together, and individually?

Yes absolutely. It can be very helpful for one or both of you to have individual sessions, especially if you’d like some help with confidence or anxiety. I can teach specific techniques to clear trauma which you then have as tools for life. 

The only caveat is that I ask couples not to share any ‘secrets’ with me -  as this would prevent me from continuing to work with you openly and ethically as a couple.

Will couples therapy make things worse?

Sometimes, people worry that couples therapy could make things worse, especially if difficult topics lead to more conflict. However, it’s important to remember that many couples stay in unhappy situations because they’re afraid of upsetting the balance. Therapy provides a safe space to address those underlying issues and resolve conflict in effective ways. 

Can couples therapy help with communication problems?

A big part of couples therapy is enhancing your communication. Often, we can get lost in translation, worrying about how our words will be received or if we’ll truly be heard. In therapy, I help couples communicate more clearly, calmly and confidently so that both partners feel understood and valued.

Over the years I've seen that as couples communicate better they begin to recognise that they share the same feelings, the same worries and fears, such as being judged or rejected. This mutual understanding immediately puts you on the same page.

Most people have never learnt communication skills in childhood, by learning these in couples therapy you have these skills for life and can apply them to all your relationships.  

Can couples therapy help us stop arguing?

Yes, it can. Often, arguments stem from communication breakdowns and a lack of understanding. When unresolved hurt or past issues aren’t fully addressed, they can surface in different ways—sometimes as passive-aggressive behavior, and other times as more intense conflict. By learning communication skills in therapy you’ll be able to resolve issues in helpful ways, expressing yourself effectively and powerfully without it descending into arguments.