Counselling for Relationship Difficulties

Relationships are where we get hurt and where we heal. When the same conflicts keep repeating, or you feel unseen, anxious or stuck, individual counselling helps you understand your part and your patterns. Stephanie de Raay is a counselling psychologist (HPCSA – PS 0154580) who works with adults and teenagers across South Africa by scheduled video call.

This is individual work — for you, not for a couple. Changing how you show up often shifts the whole dynamic.

What relationship difficulties can look like

Common threads include recurring conflict, communication breakdown, trust issues, feeling unseen, repeating the same patterns across relationships, and difficulty setting boundaries.

Relationship support for adults

For adults, this is individual therapy for the relationships that matter — romantic, family or work. The work looks at attachment patterns, boundaries, and recovering after a breakup or betrayal, so you understand what keeps repeating and how to change it. There is more on counselling for adults in South Africa.

Friendships and relationships for teens

For teens, relationship struggles usually mean friendship fallouts, first romantic relationships, peer pressure and learning where their boundaries are. A confidential space helps them navigate it. There is more on counselling for teenagers in South Africa.

How Stephanie works with relationship difficulties

The work combines insight (why these patterns keep showing up) with practical skills for communication and boundaries, drawing on person-centred and DBT-informed approaches. Where couples therapy is what is needed, Stephanie can refer you on. More about Stephanie and her approach.

Frequently asked questions

Do you see couples?
No — this is individual counselling. Stephanie can refer you to a couples therapist if that is what you are looking for.

Can therapy help if my partner will not come?
Yes. Individual work on your own patterns and boundaries often changes the relationship dynamic on its own.

My teen keeps having friendship drama — is that worth therapy?
If it is affecting their mood, confidence or school, yes. Friendships are central to teen wellbeing.

Will you tell me to leave my relationship?
No. The work supports your own clarity and choices — it does not push you in any direction.

How sessions and fees work

Sessions are 55-minute secure video calls, and everything starts with a free 15-minute intake call. Full detail on how sessions run, fees and medical-aid reimbursement lives on the therapy FAQs page.

Support wherever you are

Because everything is by scheduled video call, you can work with Stephanie from anywhere in South Africa — see the areas we serve. Many people also find counselling for anxiety helpful, as relationship strain and anxiety often go hand in hand.

A note on safety

If you or someone you care about is in immediate danger, talking about suicide, self-harm, or in crisis, please seek urgent in-person emergency help immediately (local emergency services or your nearest hospital). Therapy is not a replacement for emergency care.

Book a free intake call

The easiest place to start is a free 15-minute intake call to see whether this is the right fit. You can reach Stephanie directly:

📞 079 565 1779
📧 info@stephaniepsych.com
Book a session

You can also explore counselling for teenagers and counselling for adults in South Africa.