Couples with post-holiday blues look for counselling

MARRIAGE and relationship counsellors are gearing up for what is traditionally their busiest time of the year dealing with post-holiday blues.

The Accord office in Waterford has traditionally found that the greatest demand for their counselling services arises from September onwards. Cracks in relationships that may have been papered over during the summer holidays begin to widen as normal work patterns are resumed.

The agency’s Waterford spokesperson, Liam Maloney, said lengthy summer holidays can strain relationships.

“What happens when a couple are on holidays depends very much on their relationship. However, the couple are together for the entire time and any issues that haven’t been resolved may arise and that’s when rows start.”

Counsellors at the branch, which supports approximately 120 couples a year in dealing with marital problems, believe the outcome of a holiday is bound up with the underlying strength of the relationship.

“Some couples may be able to resolve their difficulties, while it may make others aware that they haven’t been getting on for some time. We hope that people who can’t deal with it on their own seek help to save the relationship,” said Mr Maloney.

“Going on holidays is not a solution to a problem. However, a positive effect of strain is that they may realise they have to do something about it.”