I'm Mark Ryan, a BACP Accredited Psychotherapist and NCPS Accredited Relationship Therapist working with couples, individuals, and polycules across London. This is where I write about the things that come up most often in the room. Jealousy. Coming out to a partner. Separation. Sex and intimacy. 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.
Below, everything is grouped by topic if you're looking for something specific, or simply scroll through what's most recent. And if something here resonates, or you'd like support with what you're going through, I offer a free 30-minute consultation, in person in London or by video.
Why Am I So Jealous? Understanding Jealousy in Relationships
A London relationship therapist on what jealousy does inside a couple, why reassurance and checking make it worse, and when the feeling is telling you the truth.
The Summer Slump: When the Relationship Feels Flat in Long Days
Long summer evenings can expose a flatness in a relationship that the rest of the year hides. A London therapist on what flatness means, and what it doesn't.
Sex on Holiday: Why It Doesn't Always Live Up to Expectations
You expected the holiday to revive your sex life. It didn't. A London relationship therapist on why that's common, what's underneath it, and what helps.
When Summer Exposes the Cracks: What to Do With What Comes Up
A difficult summer can surface things you had been managing not to see. A London relationship therapist on how to use post-summer clarity well.
Porn Addiction and Relationships: A Therapist's Guide
Porn addiction is a contested term, but the distress it names is real. A London relationship therapist on what helps couples and individuals work through the impact of porn use.
Summer and Infidelity: What the Research Actually Says
Online claims about summer affairs are often overstated. A London relationship therapist on what the research really shows, and what it does and doesn't mean.
When You Realise You Have Nothing Left to Say to Each Other
Long silences with your partner can feel terminal, but they rarely are. A London relationship therapist on what conversational drift actually means.
Surviving the School Holidays as a Couple: Why Six Weeks Together Is Harder Than It Looks
Six weeks of school holidays is a stress test most couples don't expect. A London relationship therapist on why it strains things, and what helps.
Why Couples Argue More on Holiday (and What to Do About It)
Holidays expose what everyday life hides. A London relationship therapist on why couples argue more on holiday, what's underneath it, and what helps.
If You Don't Want Couples Therapy: An Honest Guide for the Sceptic
If your partner wants couples therapy and you don't, you are not unusual. A London relationship therapist on what to actually expect, for the sceptic.
What to Do When Your Partner Won't Go to Couples Therapy
Partner reluctant about couples therapy? A London relationship therapist on what helps, what doesn't, and what to read together before deciding.
How to Choose a Couples Therapist in London: A Practical Guide
A practical guide to choosing a couples therapist in London. Credentials, modality, fit, location, cost, and what to ask in a consultation.
Why couples argue about money (and what to do about it)
Money is the top predictor of relationship breakdown. A London relationship therapist explains why money arguments hit so hard, what UK couples are really fighting about, and what helps.
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.