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 10
- Communication and conflict 20
- Couples therapy London 111
- Emotional Abuse 4
- Individual therapy London 2
- Infidelity & Betrayal 7
- Jealousy 3
- LGBTQIA Therapy 20
- Labels 4
- Mental Health and Wellbeing 20
- Money and Relationships 3
- Neurodiversity and Relationships 6
- Non-Monogamy and Open Relationships 9
- Parenting 9
- Relationship therapy London 109
- Seasonal 5
- Separation and Divorce 14
- Sex and Intimacy 14
- Single Session Therapy 3
- Summer 4
- Trust and Repair 9
Why Do Couples Stop Having Sex? Understanding Low Libido in Relationships
A London relationship therapist on why couples stop having sex, how desire changes over time, and what helps when intimacy has become hard to talk about.
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.
Does Couples Therapy Work? Is It Worth It? What the Research Shows
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 Discuss Sexual Needs With Your Partner (Without It Getting Awkward)
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
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.
Gottman's Four Horsemen and How to Stop Them
A London relationship therapist on Gottman's Four Horsemen, criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling, and the antidotes for each.
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.
Should I go to therapy? A Self-Assessment Guide
Wondering if therapy is right for you? This supportive self-assessment guide explores the signs you may benefit from counselling, when it might not be the best option, and how to decide if therapy is the right step for you now.
The Sunday Scaries: Why We Feel Them and How Therapy Can Help
Explore the psychology behind the “Sunday scaries,” practical strategies to ease anxiety before the week ahead, and how therapy can support lasting change for those struggling with chronic Sunday night dread.
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.
Men’s Mental Health: How Masculinity Shapes Emotional Wellbeing
Men’s mental health is often overlooked, yet societal expectations of masculinity can leave many men struggling in silence. From the pressure to “man up” to the lack of emotional education, men are often taught to suppress their feelings rather than seek support. Therapy offers a safe, non-judgmental space to explore these challenges, build emotional awareness, and redefine what strength truly means.
Meeting the Inner Child.
Many of our adult struggles, like anxiety, low self-worth, or difficulty with relationships, can trace their roots back to unmet needs from childhood. The concept of the inner child helps us understand how early emotional wounds continue to shape our daily lives. In this article, a London therapist explains what it means to reconnect with your inner child, how it shows up in everyday patterns, and how therapy can offer healing, safety, and transformation.
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.
Blame in Relationships: Why We Do It, How It Hurts, and What Therapy Can Offer
Blame can erode connection. Discover why it happens and how therapy can help couples reconnect.