Disability Couples Counselling
Strengthen your connection with specialist support tailored to your needs.
At Emotional Respite, we understand that relationships can face unique pressures when disability is part of the experience. Whether one or both partners live with a physical, sensory, cognitive, or invisible disability, we offer a safe, supportive space to explore your emotions, strengthen communication, and reconnect with each other.
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A Safe Space for Every Couple
Disability can impact many aspects of life, from daily routines to long-term plans, and these effects often ripple into relationships. You may be navigating changes in intimacy, communication, independence, or identity. Our counsellors are experienced in working with couples where disability is part of the picture and are committed to creating an accessible, non-judgmental environment where both partners feel heard.
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We work with:
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Couples where one or both partners are disabled
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People experiencing new or evolving disabilities
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Neurodivergent couples (including ADHD, autism, etc.)
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Couples adjusting to changes in mobility, mental health, or chronic illness
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Partners supporting loved ones through pain, fatigue, or care needs
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What to Expect in Counselling
Our approach is gentle, flexible, and inclusive. Every couple is different, so we tailor sessions to your relationship goals and needs. Some of the areas we may explore include:
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Communication challenges and emotional disconnect
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Changes in roles, routines, or caregiving dynamics
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Navigating feelings of grief, frustration, or loss of independence
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Improving emotional intimacy and physical closeness
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Building mutual understanding and resilience
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Rebalancing power and responsibility in your relationship
You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from counselling; many couples come to us to deepen their bond or to proactively address difficult dynamics.
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Accessibility Matters
We believe support should be available to everyone, without barriers. That’s why we offer:
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Online video counselling for flexibility and convenience
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Neurodiversity-informed practice
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Flexible scheduling
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Supportive counsellors trained in disability awareness and inclusive practice
If you have specific accessibility needs, please let us know; we are happy to adapt our service.
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Why Choose Emotional Respite?
We are more than just a counselling service, we are a place of understanding. At Emotional Respite, we prioritise empathy, emotional safety, and empowerment. Our therapists bring specialist knowledge in both relationship counselling and disability inclusion, so you can trust that your experiences will be met with compassion and respect.
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Start Your Journey Together
We’re here to support your relationship, whatever challenges you may be facing. Whether you’re dealing with frustration, distance, or simply want to grow stronger together, you’re not alone.
Meet Our Couples Counsellors
Libby Webber
DipHe, NCPS Accred
I work with couples using an 8-10 session counselling programme which will help you understand and communicate better so that you’re more able to resolve the problems between you. These could be due to the fallout from an affair, a feeling that you’re drifting apart, problems with childcare, clashes over jobs, or household responsibilities, among others. When working with couples, I’ll be asking not just about what’s happening between you in the present day, and how and when your difficulties started, but also about your experiences of relationships and family life in the past so we can understand how that might be playing out for both of you today. My approach encourages you to be curious and open to hearing each other’s perspectives on your relationship with a view to finding a common understanding.
Martin Rigby
MA, MBACP
Living with disability, chronic pain, neurodivergence, or a long-term health condition can significantly impact on all areas of life including your identity, how you feel about yourself and your relationships. Whether you’re in a committed long-term relationship, are a heterosexual or same sex couple or practise monogamy or non-monogamy, suddenly and over time having to come to terms with a disability diagnosis, deteriorating physical health, loss of independence and your everyday routine can feel devastating, life-changing, overwhelming and traumatic for both you and your partner. Conflict, feelings of anger, guilt and rejection and negative patterns may arise. It can completely change the dynamics of your relationship, affecting communication, physical and emotional intimacy and the stability and trust in your partnership you may have once shared. I work with couples of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. Informed by my own experiences and understanding of living with disability, my whole approach to working with couples is accessible, couple-centred and trauma-informed. I will provide you both with a safe and supportive space while using my focused and honest approach to help you to explore and get right to the heart of your relationship issues. During therapy I will offer you skills and tools to reconnect, turn towards each other again and make the changes you need at your pace.
