Relationship Difficulties
When a relationship comes to an end
Qualified therapists offering support through divorce and separation across England — online nationwide and face-to-face. You do not have to go through this alone.
NCPS Organisational Member
Professionally registered therapists
Free 15-minute consultation
★ ★ ★ ★ ★“I thought I should be coping better. My counsellor helped me understand that grief for a relationship is real grief — and that it was okay to need help with it.”
Client who sought support during separation
5,000+
People supported
90+
Qualified therapists
5 ★
Website Testimonials
20+
Counties across England
When the life you planned starts to unravel
Even when a separation is the right decision — even when you are the one who initiated it — the reality of it can feel devastating. The person you built a life with is no longer part of your future in the way you expected. The routines, the shared plans, the home, the friendships, the identity you had as part of a couple — all of it is suddenly in question.
You might feel grief — real, physical grief — for the relationship you thought you would have. You might feel anger at your partner, at yourself, at the circumstances. You might feel relief one moment and overwhelming sadness the next. You might feel guilty, especially if children are involved, or ashamed that you could not make it work. You might feel all of these things in the same day, and wonder whether you are losing your mind.
If you are the person who did not want the separation, the experience can feel like the ground has been pulled out from under you. The shock, the rejection, the loss of control — these are not things that resolve quickly, no matter what anyone tells you. And being told to “move on” or “focus on the positives” can feel like a cruelty in itself.
Whatever you are going through right now, it is a legitimate response to a significant loss. Separation is one of the most stressful life events a person can experience — research consistently places it alongside bereavement in terms of emotional impact. And yet, because the other person is still alive, the grief can feel harder to justify, harder to name, and harder to talk about. You do not have to process it alone.
Why separation affects every part of your life
Divorce and separation are not just emotional experiences — they are logistical, financial, social, and sometimes legal upheavals that happen simultaneously. You may be dealing with solicitors, dividing assets, rearranging childcare, and finding somewhere to live, all while carrying a level of emotional pain that makes it hard to think clearly about any of it. The combination of practical demands and emotional overwhelm is one of the things that makes this period so uniquely exhausting.
The social impact can be significant too. Mutual friendships shift. Family relationships become complicated. You may feel isolated at exactly the point when you need support the most. Well-meaning people may take sides, or offer advice that feels more like pressure than comfort. If your identity was closely tied to your role as a partner, the question of who you are without that relationship can feel genuinely frightening — as though the separation has not just ended a relationship, but removed a fundamental part of who you understood yourself to be.
For parents, the weight is heavier still. The fear of harming your children, the guilt of disrupting their stability, and the complexity of co-parenting with someone you are in conflict with can feel relentless. Making decisions that affect your children when you can barely make decisions for yourself is one of the hardest aspects of separation — and one of the least acknowledged.
What comes after
One of the things that makes divorce and separation so difficult is that the ending is not just an ending — it is the beginning of something else, something you did not plan for and may not feel ready for. The early weeks and months after a separation can feel shapeless, disorienting, and profoundly lonely.
You may find yourself grieving not just the relationship, but the future you thought you would have — the holidays, the milestones, the growing old together. That grief is real, and it does not follow a neat timeline. Some days you will feel strong and clear. Other days, a song or a photograph or a question from a well-meaning friend can send you straight back to the worst of it. The unevenness of the process — the sense of taking two steps forward and one step back — is completely normal, even though it rarely feels that way when you are inside it.
Over time, most people do find a new sense of themselves — a version of life that is different from what they expected, but that begins to feel like their own. Counselling can support that process, helping you move from surviving the separation to genuinely building something new. Not by rushing you through the grief, but by being alongside you while it happens.
How counselling can help
Counselling during or after a divorce or separation is not about being told what to do. It is about having a confidential space where you can process what is happening — the grief, the anger, the practical overwhelm — with someone who is not involved in the situation and has no agenda other than your wellbeing.
For individuals, counselling can help you understand the emotions you are experiencing, make sense of what happened in the relationship, and begin to rebuild your sense of self outside of it. Many people carry guilt, regret, or unanswered questions long after the separation itself — and counselling offers a space to process those feelings rather than carrying them indefinitely. It can also help with the practical decision-making that separation demands — not by giving you answers, but by helping you think more clearly when everything feels chaotic.
For couples who have decided to separate, counselling can help you end the relationship in a way that minimises damage — to each other and, where relevant, to your children. This kind of work focuses on communication, boundaries, and co-parenting, and it can make an enormous difference to how the separation unfolds in practice.
Sessions are confidential. There are limited circumstances where this may need to change — for example, if there is a serious risk of harm — and your therapist will explain these clearly before you begin. Counselling notes are not shared with solicitors or courts unless you specifically consent.
Our Approach
How we work with divorce and separation
We offer several approaches, and your therapist will recommend the one that best fits your situation and stage.
Our booking team and your therapist will discuss which approach — or combination — feels most appropriate for what you are bringing. You do not need to know which is right before you start.
What our clients say
Real experiences
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I thought I should be coping better. My counsellor helped me understand that grief for a relationship is real grief — and that it was okay to need help with it.
Client who sought support during divorce
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
We decided to separate, and counselling helped us do it in a way that protected our children. It was the hardest thing we have done — but doing it with support made it bearable.
Client who sought couples counselling for separation
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I had been in and out of difficult relationships for years. Counselling helped me understand why — and for the first time, I feel like I am choosing differently.
Client who sought individual support after separation
Client experiences are unique. Results vary between individuals.
Getting started
What to expect
Reaching out during a separation or divorce can feel overwhelming — but you do not need to have it figured out first. Here is how it works.
1
Free consultation
A brief, relaxed 15-minute conversation with a member of our booking team. We listen to what is going on and explore whether counselling could help. No pressure, no obligation.
2
Matched with a therapist
Based on your needs and preferences, we carefully match you with one of our 90+ qualified therapists. If it doesn’t feel right, we’ll find someone else — at no extra cost.
3
Your first session
Your therapist will take time to understand your situation and what you are hoping to work on. There is no rush, no script, and nothing you have to share before you are ready.
Most clients hear back from us the same working day, and typically begin sessions within a week of the free consultation — depending on your preferences and therapist availability.
Standards you can trust
How we match you with the right therapist for divorce and separation support
Choosing a therapist is a personal decision, and we take time to get the match right.
A careful match, not a long list
Therapist availability changes from week to week, so rather than asking you to choose from a directory, we take time during your free 15-minute consultation to understand what you are looking for — and then match you with a therapist suited to your needs.
During the consultation, we will ask about:
- What you would like the work to focus on, and any specific concerns you would like support with
- Whether you would prefer face-to-face counselling, online sessions, or a combination of the two
- Any preferences around therapy approach (counselling, CBT, EMDR, hypnotherapy, mindfulness, ACT, compassion focused therapy and others)
- Day and time availability that works around your life
- Any specialisms that matter to you — for example LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy, neurodiversity-affirming support, or particular life experiences
- Practical preferences — for example therapist gender, age range, or shared lived experience where that matters to you
All therapists we work with are qualified and registered with appropriate UK professional bodies, and we will confirm the most suitable options with you before any sessions begin.
Professional standards across our team
Hope Therapy & Counselling Services has been operating since 2014, and we hold Organisational Membership with the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). We work in line with the NCPS Code of Ethics and BACP Good Practice, and our wider clinical standards include:
- Qualified, professionally registered therapists across the team — registrations vary per therapist and are confirmed before matching
- Ongoing clinical supervision in line with professional body requirements
- Continuing professional development to maintain and develop practice
- Clear confidentiality standards, with limits explained before sessions begin
- Client-centred, non-judgemental and inclusive practice across all areas of identity and experience
- Founder-led clinical oversight from Ian Stockbridge — MBACP (Senior Accredited) – who continues to lead the practice and oversee its standards
Whether you choose face-to-face counselling near you or online therapy from anywhere in the UK, you can expect to be matched with a therapist who is appropriately qualified and suited to the support you are looking for.
Transparent Pricing
Our fees
No hidden costs. Your therapist and fees are discussed during your free consultation.
Counselling
From £65
per 50-minute session
- Person-centred or integrative
- Individual separation support
- Online or face-to-face
CBT
From £85
per 50-minute session
- Structured, goal-focused
- Managing anxiety and transition
- Online or face-to-face
Couples Counselling
From £85
per 50-minute session
- Both partners attend together
- Separation or co-parenting focus
- Online or face-to-face
Looking for a more affordable option? We may be able to offer sessions at a reduced rate — just ask during your free consultation.
London clients: Location-adjusted rates may apply. Please ask during your free consultation and we will confirm the exact fee before you commit to anything.
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is counselling helpful during a divorce or separation?
Yes. Counselling provides a confidential space to process the emotional impact of a relationship ending — grief, anger, guilt, confusion, and the practical uncertainty of what comes next. Many people find that having professional support during this time helps them make clearer decisions and cope with the transition more effectively.
Can counselling help us separate well?
Yes. Some couples attend counselling together specifically to end the relationship in a way that is as respectful and constructive as possible — particularly when children are involved. This focuses on communication, co-parenting, and minimising harm.
Can I attend on my own?
Absolutely. Most people seeking support around divorce or separation attend individually. Counselling can help you process your own feelings, understand your responses, and find your way forward — regardless of whether your partner is involved.
Is everything discussed in counselling confidential?
Yes. Sessions are confidential in line with professional ethical standards. There are limited exceptions — for example, where there is a serious risk of harm — and your therapist will explain these clearly before you begin. Counselling notes are not shared with solicitors or courts unless you specifically consent.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on your situation. Some people find that a short block of sessions helps them through the immediate crisis. Others benefit from longer-term support as they adjust to life after separation. Your therapist will discuss this with you and review progress together.
Is divorce & separation counselling available online?
Yes. All of our therapists offer sessions online via Zoom or telephone. This can be particularly helpful when logistics are complicated or when attending in person feels too difficult. Face-to-face sessions are also available across England.
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Meet Our Founder
Built by someone who saw the need from the inside
★
SCoPEd Band C
MBACP & SNCPS Senior Accredited
“Having worked for more than 25 years in senior management, I saw the same thing repeatedly — people struggling with mental health and relationship challenges, and so often struggling to access the right support when it was needed. It was out of this recognition of human need that Hope was born.”
Ian Stockbridge founded Hope Therapy after 25+ years leading large commercial teams – watching colleagues carry stress, anxiety, and personal difficulty with nowhere to turn. He retrained rigorously, now holding Senior Accredited status with both the BACP and NCPS, alongside SCoPEd Band C — the highest independent competence verification in the UK counselling profession.
He remains a practising therapist, clinical supervisor, published author of PMDD Uncovered, and co-presenter of The Talk Room Podcast. Hope Therapy was built on the things he saw were most broken – and designed, from the ground up, to do better.
MBACP (Senior Accredited)
SNCPS (Acc)
SCoPEd Band C
BSc (Hons) CBT
PGCert Supervision L7
Quality Award 2024 — 95%+
You do not have to go through this alone
A free, no-obligation 15-minute conversation. No pressure, no script — just a chance to be heard, ask questions, and see whether we feel like the right fit.
Get in Touch
Start your enquiry
Not sure where to start? Send us a message and a member of our team will get back to you. All enquiries are treated in the strictest confidence.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“From the very first phone call, I felt heard. They didn’t rush me — they helped me work out what I needed.”
Hope Therapy enquiry feedback
NCPS Organisational Member
Est 2014
90+ Qualified Therapists
National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies
Individual registrations vary per therapist. Last reviewed: May 2026.