Karin Blak responds to an article by Nicholas Purcell, in which the relationship psychotherapist said he sometimes advises couples to end their marriages Nicholas Purcell’s article concerns me greatly, not because he recognises that some relationships are abusive and dangerous, but because he appears to place the decision about whether a relationship should “die” in the hands of the therapist (As a therapist, here’s why I sometimes advise couples to end their marriage, 31 August). As a psychosexual and relationship therapist, I would never presume to know whether a client should leave their relationship. Our role is not to make that decision for them but to help clients understand what is happening within their relationship, explore patterns of behaviour and coping strategies, recognise coercion or abuse where it exists, consider the options available to them, and understand the possible consequences of those choices. Continue reading...