Couples counselling specialist

Life. There are moments when it feels completely overwhelming. Everyone struggles with its complexities, particularly when it comes to relationships. And from time to time, we all need someone who will listen, will understand…and will help us to get things back on track.

My name is Rafael and I have been a professional counsellor for over 15 years. I help couples to restore the communication within their relationship so that they can move towards a positive future.

And with the right help, I’m convinced that everybody can make change happen and improve their quality of life – even in a short period of time.

So, no matter what your situation or the state of your relationship, I’m here to provide you both with the safe, non-judgmental and confidential space you need to explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviours and the experiences which may have led to them.

Together we will find a way forward and I can work with you to gain clarity and better understand each other’s needs. So if your relationship has stalled and you both need support then do get in touch.

Rafael Dupré, BSc, MBCAP, PGCE
rafael@a-therapy.com
01580 445 005

I also offer: counselling for individuals and counselling for teenagers and young people.

Update - 22 December 2024

I currently have appointments available for couples counselling this week.
Appointments via telephone or video calling using FaceTime, WhatsApp or Skype can be arranged by email or booking an assessment online. For last-minute in person sessions please call.

Distancing and safety measures will be in place for all in person sessions.

How it all works

Initial assessment

First we have an initial assessment. This is an opportunity for you to talk about what you want to get from counselling, to ask questions and ultimately to decide if I am someone you both feel comfortable talking to and can trust and be open with.
An individual approach

We then decide on the best approach for you as a couple, through either a fixed number of sessions, or on an open-ended basis. We will typically see each other once a week, usually face-to-face. Sessions by telephone or video calling are also possible and can be equally effective if they are planned in advance and allow you to fit regular weekly appointments around other commitments.

Sessions cost £80 for couples.
Your regular sessions

Each counselling session is designed to be a relaxed space where you can both talk openly and we can discuss the things that are important to you and your relationship, safe in the knowledge that neither of you are going to be judged in any way. You can share as much or as little as you choose, everything we talk about is confidential. It’s your time to focus on your needs as a couple. As a counsellor, it’s my role to listen and to actively help you get the most out of each session so that you both do start to feel better and experience positive changes.
Counselling techniques

I use what’s known as an integrative approach – integrating the affective, behavioural, cognitive, and physiological systems within each person, as well as addressing any social and spiritual aspects. That simply means that I work with each couple in the round as two whole people and use a variety of techniques and theories to get the best result for you and your relationship.
Goals and outcomes

Our shared goal will be to make sure that you spend as little time ‘in therapy’ as possible, so that you can both focus on implementing the changes that will improve your relationship and starting to enjoy life more as you move forward. However, if you do need further support then we can always agree follow-up either by telephone or video calling, or through further face-to-face sessions.

If you would like to discuss your situation and find out how I can help you unlock your relationship then you can either email me – rafael@a-therapy.com or call 01580 445 005.

What couples counselling isn't

It's not admitting failure

Seeking professional help is not admitting that your relationship has failed or that either of you are weak. It doesn’t mean that you are letting anyone down. It’s quite the opposite, because by asking for help to work on your relationship, you are recognising that the future can be brighter and have taken the first step to making that happen.
And that’s already quite something.

It's not selfish

It’s not selfish for you to both take a short amount of time each week where you are not focussing on everyone else’s needs. Far from it. Investing in yourselves - in each other - and your relatonship and feeling better will almost certainly benefit the people around you as well.
That’s part of moving forward.

It doesn't take forever

Couples counselling doesn’t take forever. As well as a space to both express yourselves, I will give you the tools to be able to see things with a different perspective and to make positive and sustainable changes in your relationship. Although every couple is different, many of my clients take only ten sessions to overcome the obstacles preventing them from improving their relationship and ultimately their quality of life in the long term.

Clients and colleagues say...

I am very pleased with the outcome from my counselling. It has allowed me to put an end to some very destructive behaviours and feel positive about the future. What I learned in my sessions with Raf will benefit me for the rest of my life.

When I met Raf I was experiencing severe work-related stress and could barely face going in to the office. I had started to panic about losing my job or being forced to take time off. Raf was incredibly intuitive, kind and supportive throughout the process and I now have a completely different perspective and ways in which I can tackle problems. Thank you for all your help!

I was initially very sceptical about counselling, but through Raf realised that it could offer me a 'safe' environment to really deal with many things which I could never talk to even my husband or best friends about. It has been a totally liberating experience and I would recommend Raf to anyone.

Working with Raf I felt I always had the option to talk or just to be silent. It was an enormous help to just be able to set my own pace and agenda, knowing that he would always create a constructive way of dealing with things as they came up. In only a few short months my outlook on life has changed.

I would like to thank Raf for his help. There was no one who I could talk to or who understood me. I was always scared of being a loner because of my thoughts and behaviour. Raf never judged me or made me feel I was a bad person, even when I got angry. I am getting closer to my dad again and at school things are getting a lot better.

I'm often asked to recommend a counsellor for young people and Rafael is top of my list. He has a way of connecting with people and is kind, warm and insightful. He isn't affraid of taking on whatever difficulties or challenges a client may be experiencing.

I have known Rafael for a number of years - he always works with purpose and integrity and shows great compassion in service to his clients. I would recommend him without hesitation.

I was extremely nervous the first time I met Raf as I had never had counselling before. However this soon subsided and I very quickly felt that he was someone I could explore issues with, feeling safe and understood. Rafael has a very professional approach and works hard to get to the bottom of issues and find realistic ways forward. Much appreciated!

I came to Raf with a challenging set of circumstances, particularly because of confidentiality arising from my own line of work. He was not fazed by this at all and immediately created an environment where I could still work through specific problems and develop insight in to my behaviour. The results have been thoroughly transformative and I have the greatest respect for Raf's ability and professionalism.

I had never really understood my emotions, often feeling that they were completely out of my control. Thanks to Raf I can now take responsibility for my own life and life experiences. I have grown in confidence both on a personal and professional level and am now a better husband, parent, friend and manager. I am not always the easiest person to be deal with, but Raf was patient and persistent, allowing me to take the time I needed.

Through my sessions with Raf I quickly realised that my childhood had actually been quite difficult and was ultimately affecting the way I felt towards others as an adult. I felt comfortable discussing aspects of my life that I have never revealed to anyone - a huge leap of faith for me. Raf has a very compassionate and caring approach and I felt supported every step of the way.

It has taken quite a few sessions, but Raf has really helped me to transform myself into a whole person again. Thanks to his patience, insight and guidance I can now see how and why I avoided emotional commitment. I now feel able to truly connect with others, not least my partner.

About me

Rafael Dupré
BSc, MBACP, PGCE

My name is Rafael Dupré – I am originally from Belgium, although I have lived in the UK since 2011 and now divide my time between private practices in London and rural Kent. I have over 20 years’ experience working in the broader mental health arena. My early career was spent working specifically with young people, either individually or within their family unit, to overcome issues ranging from social exclusion to relationship difficulties and the effects of addiction or abuse. During this time I developed an interest in solutions-focused therapy, including the Bruges Model, as a means of fostering change so that clients not only benefit from greater understanding, but also have the tools to implement those changes at a very practical level.

Today my practice is evenly split between working with individuals and couples from all walks of life and I provide therapy for a hugely diverse range of issues. I also work extensively with young people aged 10 to 18 years.

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) and work within the BACP Ethical Framework. I attend regular sessions with a BACP-accredited supervisor to ensure consistently high standards of care. I am fully insured and hold current enhanced DBS certificates which allow me to work with both minors and vulnerable adults.

Alongside my clinical work I currently deliver training and coaching for individuals who want to become professional counsellors and am a qualified teacher registered with the Teaching Regulation Authority.

As well as being actively engaged in ongoing professional development, I have undertaken advanced training with Kent and Medway NHS Social Care and Partnership Trust and also completed vocational courses in contextual therapy, family therapy, working with victims of (sexual) abuse, addiction (sex, substances, porn), attachment related difficulties and relational issues.

When I first met Rafael I immediately felt at ease - his calm nature and understanding manner make him very easy to talk to. His knowledge of counselling and psychotherapy is vast and as a colleague he is a great support to me and the work I do.

Check availability and make a booking online

Monday to Thursday
8am to 9pm

Saturdays and Sundays
10am to 4pm

The Estate Office
The Street
Benenden
Kent TN17 4DJ

Couples counselling specialist

How it all works

Initial assessment

An individual approach

Your regular sessions

Counselling techniques

Goals and outcomes