Relationship advice & insights.
I'm Mark Ryan, a BACP Accredited Psychotherapist and NCPS Accredited Relationship Therapist working with relationships, couples, individuals, and polycules across London. This is where I write about the things that come up most often in the therapy room; jealousy, coming out to a partner, separation, sex and intimacy, and the ordinary arguments that usually aren't about what they first appear to be about.
Some of what's here is written for couples working through something together. Some of it is for one person trying to make sense of their own experience before bringing a partner into it. All of it is grounded in research and real clinical practice, not generic advice dressed up as insight.
Browse the archive.
Search by keyword, or filter by topic, to find the article you're looking for or browse the newest articles blelow.
- Attachment 7
- Attachment and Patterns 2
- Communication 5
- Communication and conflict 7
- Consensual Non Monogamy 2
- Couples therapy London 66
- Emotional Abuse 3
- Ethical Non Monogamy 2
- Infidelity & Betrayal 5
- Jealousy 3
- LGBT+ Therapy 19
- LGBTQ+ Couples 13
- Labels 4
- Mental Health and Wellbeing 19
- Money and Relationships 4
- Non-Monogamy and Open Relationships 1
- Parenting 3
- Polyamory 2
- Pre-Marital Therapy London 1
- Relationship Therapy London 1
- Relationship therapy London 64
- Separation and Divorce 7
- Sex and Intimacy 8
- Summer 4
- Trust and Repair 4
How much does couples therapy cost in London?
Couples therapy in central London costs £100 to £250 per session. A BACP Accredited therapist on what drives pricing, booking models, and value.
Couples Therapy Before Marriage: Should You Try It Before Getting Engaged or Married?
Should you try couples therapy before getting engaged or married? Mark Ryan, a London relationship therapist, explains what the research says and what premarital work involves.
Couples Therapy After a Baby: Why So Many Couples Struggle in the First Two Years
Two-thirds of couples experience significant relationship decline after having a baby. Mark Ryan, a London relationship therapist, explains why, and what helps.
When to Go to Couples Therapy: Signs You Shouldn't Wait
Wondering whether your relationship needs therapy? Mark Ryan, a London relationship therapist, explains the research-backed signs it's time to seek help, and why most couples wait too long.
Your First Couples Therapy Session in London: What Actually Happens
What actually happens in a first couples therapy session? Mark Ryan, a London relationship therapist, walks through the consultation, the session itself, and what to expect.
Why Do Couples Stop Having Sex? Understanding Low Libido in Relationships
A London relationship therapist explores why couples stop having sex, the emotional dynamics behind low libido, and how intimacy can be rebuilt over time.
Gay Couples Therapy in London: Finding the Right Support for Your Relationship
Looking for gay couples therapy in London? Relationship therapist Mark Ryan explores the real challenges gay couples face, what to look for in an affirming therapist, and how therapy can genuinely help.
How to Stop Arguing with Your Partner: A Guide to Breaking the Cycle
Every couple argues. But when the same fights keep happening with no resolution, something deeper is at play. Relationship therapist Mark Ryan explains what drives conflict cycles and how to break them.
Is Couples Therapy Worth It? What the Research Says
Thinking about couples therapy but not sure if it actually works? Relationship therapist Mark Ryan looks at what the evidence says, who it helps most, and when to go.
After Betrayal: How Couples Can Heal from Infidelity and Rebuild Trust
If your relationship has been rocked by infidelity, you need honest guidance. A BACP Accredited London therapist on what recovery actually involves.
How to Talk to Your Partner About Sex: Asking for What You Want
Talking about sex with your partner can feel daunting, but research shows it's one of the most powerful things couples can do. Relationship therapist Mark Ryan explains how to start the conversation.
When Your Sex Drives Don't Match: Understanding Desire Discrepancy in Relationships
Mismatched libidos affect up to 80% of couples at some point. Relationship therapist Mark Ryan explains what desire discrepancy really means, why it happens, and how couples therapy can help.
Is Our Sex Life Normal? Understanding Sexual Desire and Intimacy in Relationships
Many couples carry a quiet anxiety about their sex life — wondering if what they have is "normal," but never quite finding the words to ask. This article explores why there is no universal benchmark for sexual desire, how the erotic and companionship dimensions of a relationship work differently, and what it means when desire shifts over time. An honest, shame-free introduction to one of the most important — and least spoken about — areas of relationship life.
Repair After a Fight: A Step-by-Step Guide to Rebuilding Safety and Trust
Conflict is inevitable in close relationships — but disconnection doesn’t have to be. This practical, step-by-step guide explores how couples can repair after a fight, rebuild emotional safety, and restore trust through intentional communication and empathy. Learn why repair matters more than being right, and how therapy can provide powerful tools to break negative cycles and strengthen long-term connection.
Surviving Christmas Without Falling Out: How Couples Can Navigate Conflict During the Holidays
Christmas can place unexpected strain on even the strongest relationships. Heightened expectations, family pressures, and emotional fatigue often mean conflict feels closer to the surface. This article explores why tensions rise at this time of year, how couples can navigate disagreements more gently, and when relationship therapy might help.
When One Partner Withdraws: Understanding Stonewalling and Emotional Shutdowns
A thoughtful look at what’s really happening when a partner shuts down, and how couples can move from disconnection to deeper understanding and repair.
The Four Communication Styles That Harm Relationships: Gottman's Communication Patterns and How to Change Them
Criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling. A London couples therapist explains the four communication patterns Gottman's research links to relationship breakdown, and the antidotes that actually work.
How Secure Attachment Shapes Adult Relationships (and Why It’s Never Too Late to Heal)
Secure, anxious, avoidant, disorganised: a London couples therapist explains the four adult attachment styles, how they shape relationships, and how earned security develops in therapy.
Why doesn’t my partner listen to me? What the Research Says (and How to Fix It)
Feeling unheard in your relationship? A London couples therapist explains what the research actually says about listening, the demand-withdraw cycle, and how to get your partner to engage.
What Is Consensual Non-Monogamy? Modern Love, Many Forms
A London relationship therapist on the many forms non-monogamy takes, what the research shows, and what to expect from affirming relationship therapy.