Relate

[granny grump]

I always thought that Relate was a charity and offered a free service but a friend has just told me that it is £50 per session.

Surely in this day and age when families break up and money is a factor this will deter people from using the service at a time when they most need it.
I realise it needs to be funded but I always thought that it was on the same lines as CAB
Shows what I know

[Whoever]

Government funding for all charities has had to be greatly reduced because of the economic situation, so if charities are going to continue offering a service, and have to pay for professionally qualified people such as Counsellors who have to have a university degree or professional qualification, they have to find the money from somewhere to pay them..

[granny grump]

Thank you WhoeverI just feel that a lot of people will be excluded but as you say it is happening every where

[jake-the-peg]

Unfortunately it is a lot easier for charities saving ophaned kittens to get huge amounts of money through donations than those helping people with marriage breakdown.

I wouldn't expect Relate receive many bequests in peoples' wills

[Ankou]

it is earnings related but its just a 'do you earn more than or less than' question - not sure they actually check. so it sounds like your friend is in the upper of 2 brackets, or they pretended they earned more without relising the consequences!

usually its around £30 - £50 per hour and they recommend at least 6 sessions. most of the counsellors are independent anyway and work under licence.

[granny grump]

Thank you jake-the-peg I agree thankyou also Ankou - I don't think my friends will be going back - their earnings aren't great and at £50 per session that would soon eat into any savings they may have

[boxtops]

It's obviously the going hourly rate for a trained counsellor http://www.relate.org...ounselling/index.html

[joeluke]

If married couples feel the need to talk to strangers to try to save their marriage then surely there isn't much hope for the marriage surviving?

Couples should sit down and talk about their marriage problems and if they need other people present to help with this then other family members should assist by sitting in

[boxtops]

Sometimes, JL, but sometimes it really helps to have the perspective of a disinterested third party. Also, Relate don't only deal with marriage relationships these days, they cover counselling for a wide range of problems now.

[Ankou]

sometimes that marriage/relationship counselling deals with domestic abuse and it is not always couples that go together.

[rowanwitch]

Sometimes its help in getting out of a relationship rather than staying in one...and don't say in a bad situation just walk away...it is rarely that easy

[granny grump]

Thank you all It isn't an easy situation and I'm sure we all know people who can't just sit down and talk and the presence of a third disinterested party can help, not necessarily to help couples stay together but just to clear the air as each can put their point of view without the other getting angry and storming off and then returning as though nothing has happened & that can be so frustrating. Thank you all again for your input.