Relate — relationship counselling for couples, families and young people
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-29
What this service is
Relate (now delivering via Relate legacy services and partner counsellors) is the UK's best-known relationship counselling charity — supporting couples, families and young people through separation, conflict and change, in person and online.
What they offer
- Couples counselling — to repair, decide, or separate constructively
- Family counselling — whole-family sessions, including children's voices
- Young people's counselling (11+) — a safe confidential space
- Individual counselling — for the emotional side of a separation
- Sex therapy and wider wellbeing services via specialist counsellors
Costs
Fees vary by service and location — many centres offer a sliding scale or subsidised places; some services (e.g. via Relate's partnership programmes) are free. Check with your local centre.
How it fits your family court case
Courts and Cafcass consistently prefer parents who communicate and manage their own emotions. Counselling:
- Helps you co-parent without the conflict that harms children (see our supporting-children-separation guide)
- Can run alongside mediation — better emotional footing, better outcomes
- Provides evidence of constructive engagement (courses/counselling) for the court
How to use it
1. Visit relate.org.uk to find your nearest service or book online counselling 2. Ask about reduced-fee places and whether they take legal-aid/charity-funded referrals 3. Sessions are confidential — the counsellor won't be a witness (but your constructive engagement is your own evidence)
Official links
- https://www.relate.org.uk
This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and is not affiliated with Relate.
Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.