The 6 best marriage counselling services in London

Is your marriage on the rocks? Are you and your partner locked in a cycle of arguments and hurt? Well, before both of you throw in the towel, consider marriage counselling first. Believe it or not, marriage counselling can be a good way to renegotiate the terms of a relationship instead of letting it crumble. 

But with so many options in London – and so many glorified gabbers claiming to be proper counsellors – it’s hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the best marriage counselling services in the city (the ones who actually seem to have a decent success rate!). 

How much does marriage counselling cost in London?

The average cost for marriage counselling services in London is around £50 per hour. However, it’s crucial to note that this rate can vary depending on the range of services provided by the respective counselling firm or the counsellor.

How we chose

• Expertise and qualifications – We prioritised services with highly qualified and experienced counsellors specialising in marriage and relationship therapy. This includes professionals with certifications and advanced degrees in psychology, counselling or social work.

• Positive reviews and testimonials – We looked for providers with positive client reviews and testimonials. This adds a layer of social validation, providing insights into real-world client experiences. 

• Range of approaches – We selected providers who use diverse therapeutic methods. This ensures that couples with varied needs can be matched to approaches that best suit their situations. 

• Accessibility and availability – We factored in the flexibility of session scheduling, whether services include evening or weekend appointments, and whether virtual counselling options are available.

• Affordability – We included services offering a range of pricing options, including sliding scales, income-based fees, or insurance coverage. 

1. One Therapy London

Location: 20 Great Portland St, London W1W 8QR, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 333 207 9330

Opening hours:

• Monday to Friday – 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM
• Saturday to Sunday – 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Website

This clinic has been providing a sanctuary for couples since 2006, offering a comprehensive menu of therapy options (individual counselling and psychosexual therapy to short-term solutions).

One of the major pluses of One Therapy is its large team of over 30 qualified and experienced therapists. This means you’re more likely to find someone who truly resonates with your specific needs and communication style.

This place is also known for its non-judgmental approach (always a good thing!). They blend theory with practical advice to help you see where things might need adjustment. 

Plus, they recognise that life gets hectic, which is why they offer in-person and online counselling options. You can choose the format that feels most comfortable and fits your schedule. 

Empathetic therapy with quick improvements

“We got exactly the help we needed.” Our therapist was empathetic and intelligent, giving us all the space and the right prompts we needed to work through our mental barriers. The first improvements were noticeable already just after the first four sessions. We didn’t deal much with One Therapy directly; except for the initial booking, we handled everything through the therapist. However, everything was set up and organised professionally and we never had any issues.”

Marco Brack, Google Review

Tackles pre-marital issues with depth

“We had couples therapy sessions with Delia at One Therapy for about 8 months. Delia made us feel comfortable pretty much instantly, but she didn’t let us off easy! She challenged us and pushed us to open up (especially me, usually otherwise a closed book!) We initially started going as an alternative to traditional “marriage prep” courses which the church was offering. We knew that we had a couple of issues we’d like to sort out before we got married, and in doing so we started to work through a lot of our baggage too…”

Milly Newman, Google Review

2. Leone Centre

Location: Studio 19, Hurlingham Studios, Ranelagh Gardens, London SW6 3PA, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 20 3930 1007

Opening hours:

• Monday to Sunday – 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Website

Established in 2009, Leone Centre has established a strong reputation for helping couples navigate challenges. Their approach goes beyond traditional marriage counselling by offering a range of services like individual therapy, psychosexual therapy and even divorce counselling.

What truly distinguishes them is their personalised approach. They also use various approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic techniques.

On top of this, they offer both in-person and online sessions, making it easier to prioritise your well-being – even with a busy schedule. Plus, they welcome a diverse clientele by offering services in English, and Italian!

Restored balance with communication and well-being tips

“Luise Sargent is a very professional and skilled therapist and she helped us find our original balance in the relationship. We are so grateful for these sessions at the Leone Centre and highly recommend her. We learned how to communicate again and she also gave us some very useful wellbeing tips. Her approach and guidance were exactly what we needed to restore a calm and constructive family dialogue. Thank you, Luise!”

Clelia Supparo, Google Review

Transformative understanding and navigation

“I completed my sessions with Cristina Vrech and would highly recommend her. I felt that for the first time, someone was reaching me and I was able to navigate my thoughts and understand my issues. Leone Centre was efficient and arranged my initial appointment promptly, responding to all of my queries.”

Carol, Google Review

3. Gary Schuller 

Location: 19 Westpark, 39-41 Eaton Rise, London W5 2HH, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 7508 507857

Opening hours:

• Monday to Sunday – 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Website

Even with regular TLC, sometimes your relationship still needs an expert mechanic to get it purring again. That’s where Garry Schuller steps in. He boasts both an MSc in Marriage and Family Therapy and specialised postgraduate training in couples work. 

His credentials mean he’s equipped with a deep understanding of relationship dynamics and the tools to help you and your partner get back on track. 

He also understands that navigating city life and therapy appointments can be a logistical tango. That’s why he offers both in-person and virtual sessions, giving you the flexibility to choose what suits your lifestyle.

Schuller’s approach is refreshingly adaptable. There’s no cookie-cutter method when it comes to your relationship’s health. He draws from a range of therapeutic methods, tailoring his approach to address your unique needs.

 Empathetic guidance for couples exploring relationship dynamics

“I have no hesitation in recommending Gary to anyone who needs some space in which to explore what’s happening in their relationship and discover their options. He has followed a thorough and reputable training course and now has a great deal of experience in accompanying couples who can benefit from his empathetic approach and the opportunity to express what needs to be expressed in a safe environment.”

Jane Lutkin, Google Review

Offers profound support for couples

“Gary has a great combination of kindness and firmness, which means that you feel very supported as a couple.  I also appreciate the depth of his knowledge, which I believe comes from his extensive training in relationship therapy and his many years of practice as a therapist.”

Daren De Witt, Google Review

4. Dr Siobhan McCarthy

Location: 2 Eaton Gate, London SW1W 9BJ, United Kingdom

Contact: [email protected]

Opening hours: 

• Monday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM 

Website

With over 25 years of experience across both the NHS and private practice, Dr Siobhan McCarthy could be your catalyst for lasting transformation. 

Boasting qualifications like a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, a Master’s in Family/Couple Systematic Therapy, and more, she brings unparalleled expertise to the world of relationship dynamics. 

Don’t expect a single approach from Dr McCarthy though. Her services are designed to adapt to the unique complexities facing each individual, couple, or family, so what your friend gets from her may not be what you get. And honestly, that’s a good thing.

She draws from an extensive toolbox of approaches like CBT, Family Therapy, Psychodynamic techniques, and more. And just like most counsellors and counselling firms, she also offers both in-person and virtual sessions. 

Pros:

• Adaptable approach
• Virtual sessions

Cons

• Reports of delayed meeting invites and confirmations

Ignites teamwork and understanding in busy lives

“We would recommend Siobhan without hesitation. She helped us to take an invaluable step back from how we were approaching our increasingly busy lives together and interacting with each other. Always objective and warm, she challenged us where necessary and helped us to gain a far better insight/appreciation of each other’s perspectives than we could have achieved on our own. Siobhan enabled us to reformulate a considerably more positive path forward to get back to working together as a team again and re-establish the bonds that had been incredibly strong for so many years.”

RN Wags, Google Review

Strengthened resilience and self-awareness 

“I would highly recommend Dr McCarthy who supported me through a tough time and provided invaluable perspectives and tools to help me manage future work-life balance and personal challenges.  She was highly professional, used a variety of techniques and challenged in a compassionate way my default behaviours which led to my illness. As a result, I now feel a lot stronger and more self-aware and would not hesitate to return to Siobhan in the future if needs arise.”

Nina & Ed Osborn Martin, Google Review

5. The Life Coach London

Location: 2 Cresford Rd, London SW6 2AH, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 7768 336557

Opening hours: 

• Monday – 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM 
• Tuesday – 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM 
• Wednesday – 11:30 AM to 12:30 AM 
• Thursday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM 
• Sunday – 1:00 to 5:00 PM

Website

Georgiana George, the founder of The Life Coach London, goes beyond traditional coaching with certifications in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), cognitive-behavioural techniques, and more). 

This means she’s well equipped to tackle not just those tangled communication issues, but also help you boost self-esteem, navigate stress and anxiety, and offer support through challenges like divorce and family matters. 

But what really sets The Life Coach London apart from the rest is its unique process. After an initial joint session, Georgiana works with each partner individually to foster a space of confidentiality and trust.

Her goal is to bring deeper awareness and understanding to each partner’s perspective. Only then, with a “rewired awareness”, does she bring the couple back together for more joint sessions to foster a clearer path forward.

Nurtures unity and personal growth

“I highly recommend working with Georgiana, her unique and caring approach, coupled with direct communication, has significantly strengthened my relationship. Over the past few months, she’s helped my partner and me to get closer but also provided invaluable tools for individual growth. Her guidance has been and will continue to be very important in building a happier and more sustainable future for both of us.”

Anaëlle Parcollet, Google Review

A haven for deep healing and actionable guidance

“I’ve tried therapy previously but I’ve never had the kind of breakthroughs and been able to open up the way that Georgiana has allowed me to. Georgiana creates a relaxing environment with candles, snacks and calming music, putting you immediately at ease. I came into the session focused on wanting to address surface-level issues. Georgiana delved deeper into the real issues I need to address and gave me the practical tools to make a lasting difference, something I’ve not received from any other form of therapy before.”

Cait, Google Review

6. Couples Therapy

Location: 9 Eccleston St,
London SW1W 9LX,
United Kingdom

Contact: [email protected]

Opening hours: 

• Contact for more information

Website

Koosje Kosters brings a wealth of knowledge from various fields, providing a comprehensive approach to therapy that addresses both physical and mental well-being.

We like how the therapy emphasizes cultivating a positive mindset, which can be crucial for overcoming relationship challenges and achieving personal goals.

We think that the consistent success in guiding clients toward their best selves and improving their relationships highlights the effectiveness of the therapy.

We find it nice that therapy sessions are customized to meet the unique needs and goals of each couple or individual, ensuring that the approach is relevant and effective.