Affairs top relationship survey

1:20pm Sunday 14th September 2008

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AFFAIRS are the number one cause that drive Hertfordshire couples apart a survey has revealed.

Relate, a St Albans based charity, has released a survey highlighting the real-life issues that bring couples to relationship counselling.

Sex related issues were in second place signalling a serious dissatisfaction in bedrooms and a strong case for sex therapy services.

Work-stress and lack of work-life balance was the third most frequent presenting issue underlining the difficulties for families trying to juggle priorities.

Chief Executive of Relate Claire Tyler said: “Modern relationships are under a great deal of stress – we hear from couples who are discovering their partner’s affairs via text or email and of couples who are working such long hours that they never see their families.”

“We are doing everything we can to help people in this position. Everyone has relationship difficulties at some point in their life. We ensure that people of all ages can access often life-changing counselling and support.”

The survey dealt only with adult couples who went to Relate for relationship counselling.

Relate said that a growing proportion of clients have counselling because they have accepted an inevitable separation and they want the best for their children.

Today, Relate helps 150,000 people and offers family counselling, sex therapy, counselling for children and young people within schools and group courses for new parents or those coming through a divorce.

More information and help can be found at www.relate.org.uk