Relationship Therapy & Counselling
in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire & Online UK
Helping people work through relationship challenges, communication difficulties, conflict, life changes, and repeating relationship patterns.
Meet for a Walk & Talk session in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire or
connect online from anywhere in the UK either as an Individual, Couple or Group Counselling.
I can help you with your relationships
Relationships shape so much of how we feel about ourselves and the world around us. Whether you come alone, as a couple, or with others who matter to you, therapy offers a dedicated and entirely safe space to explore the patterns that aren’t working anymore. This includes navigating the deeply complex process of recovering from abusive, toxic, or controlling relationships, as well as working through any general relationship difficulties that leave you feeling drained, disconnected, or stuck.
I can help you explore the relationship patterns, emotional difficulties, and life experiences that may be affecting how you feel about yourself and how you connect with other people. Together, we can look at communication, conflict, boundaries, anxiety, loneliness, trust, and healing from emotional manipulation, patterns of control, or past relational trauma. We can address any challenge, whether it is a current difficulty or a painful experience from your past, and look at the ways your connections may have started to feel exhausting, distant, or overwhelming.
Whether you are struggling in a relationship, healing from an unhealthy one, feeling disconnected from others, or simply trying to understand yourself differently, therapy with me can offer a space to slow things down, make sense of what is happening, and begin finding a different way forward. Together, we can think about your experiences more carefully and understand how your connections shape your daily life.
Often, people choose to begin therapy when they notice old, familiar patterns repeating and feel ready to establish healthier boundaries and lasting emotional safety.
Relationship & Connection
• Should we split up? We keep having the same arguments.
• I feel lonely even around other people.
• I struggle to connect with certain people.
• I feel distant from my family, what is wrong?
• Friendships seem harder than they used to.
Past Experiences & Trust
• I'm trying to heal from a toxic or controlling relationship, but it's still impacting my trust.
• I expect people to leave, reject, or criticise me.
• Getting close to people feels uncomfortable or unsafe.
• Trust does not come naturally to me.
• Old experiences still seem to shape my relationships now.
Life Changes & Identity
• I do not feel like myself anymore.
• Parenthood has changed our relationship completely.
• Burnout, grief, or loss has affected how I relate to people.
• Feeling disconnected from who I used to be.
• This stage of life feels overwhelming and difficult to navigate.
Can you see yourself here?
People often come to therapy without knowing exactly how to explain what feels wrong. Sometimes it starts with thoughts like these.
Patterns & Boundaries
• Why do the same relationship patterns keep repeating?
• I struggle to hold boundaries and often change who I am to keep the peace."
• I always end up people pleasing?
• Saying no makes me feel guilty.
• Everyone else seems to come before me.
Overthinking Relationships
• Replaying conversations over and over afterwards.
• Small things suddenly turning into huge arguments.
• Everything feels emotionally exhausting lately.
• I overanalyse messages and tone constantly.
• It feels harder to cope emotionally than it used to.
Different Ways of Working
• Would couples therapy help us communicate differently?
• Could group therapy help me feel less alone?
• Talking while walking rather than sitting in a therapy room.
• I am not in crisis… but something still does not feel right.
• I want a different way of doing therapy.
About Hayley Ibbs
I am Hayley Ibbs (formerly Hayley Ircha), an Interpersonal Psychotherapist, Counsellor, Clinical Supervisor, and Trainer with over 17 years of experience supporting adults, couples, and families.
I help people work through relationship difficulties, couples problems, communication issues, conflict, separation, divorce, family challenges, bereavement, anxiety, depression, low self esteem, life transitions, and feelings of loneliness or disconnection.
My work is based on the belief that understanding our relationships can be the key to creating meaningful and lasting emotional change.
ing our relationships can be the key to lasting emotional change.
What clients say
“Before therapy we just went round in circles whenever we argued. I learned how to say what I actually meant without it turning into another arguement.”
Claire M
“Losing my mum brought up a lot from my childhood. Hayley helped me make sense of our complicated relationship and grieve in a way I hadn’t been able to before.”
Javid S
“I’d carried a lot from my relationship with my parents for years. I now understand my needs and how to put boundaries in place.”
Rebecca A
Client reflections shared with permission.
Names have been changed to protect confidentiality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know what I want to work on?
Not at all. Some people come with something clear, others just know something doesn’t feel off. We’ll work it out together. It's really common to be unsure about whether therapy is right for you. You don’t have to commit to anything long term. Reaching out is just a first step to see if it feels like the right space for you. You don’t need to prepare anything. We’ll take it at your pace and I’ll help guide the conversation if needed.
I’m not sure if therapy is right for me…
That’s really common. You don’t have to commit to anything long term. Reaching out is just a first step to see if it feels like the right space for you. You don’t need to prepare anything. We’ll take it at your pace and I’ll help guide the conversation if needed.
What happens after I send an enquiry?
I’ll send a few short questions to understand a bit more about what’s bringing you. From there, we can arrange an initial session if it feels like a good fit. I aim to respond within 48 hours during the working week.