A relationship therapist has shared her pearls of wisdom after recently being named the best marriage counsellor in Southampton.

Alison Curtis said she was delighted to win a Quality Business Award, having shifted to relationship counselling in 2020, just before the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

She said: "I think it’s quite amazing I’ve won an award so soon after that, which I just find humbling, exciting and a real privilege really.”

Having qualified as a therapist in 2002, Alison started her career in the business sector, working with leaders to improve their people skills and relationships with staff.

In 2020, she decided to move into relationship therapy and marriage counselling as she "always had a fascination and a passion for relationships" - and little did she know how in demand her skills would be.

She said: "I was fortunate enough to be a therapist when the pandemic hit – it’s something I honed in on and many couples were really struggling during that time, with the strain of the pandemic, people losing their jobs, being cramped in a small flat with children running around – whatever those pressures were.

"I started working pretty quickly with couples online and then as soon as I could see couples legally face to face I began to do that."

Alison, who sees clients at her home in Bassett as well as virtual sessions, confessed that her award recognition caught her off guard: “It was a surprise. I didn’t apply for anything; it’s an award that comes from the data generated through Google amongst other things.

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She was running an international course online when an email "pinged through" to tell her she had won.

She said: "I just couldn’t believe it, so I couldn’t help but tell everyone, I was just so excited – it was totally unexpected, and I’m absolutely delighted."

Describing her counselling style, she said: "You never know how other practitioners work and I suspect that I may not work in the same way. I’m supportive but I’m quite direct, and it’s not a cosy chat. But receiving an award makes you feel as if you’re doing something right.”

Does the award-winning marriage counsellor have any tips for a lasting relationship?

She said: “I think there is an irony with relationship work because when people come through the door, they’re often pointing the finger at the other person, but we own 50 per cent of the relationship.

“Where we have the most influence is working on your 50 per cent of the relationship. It requires emotional maturity and a willingness to improve.

“What I love most about my job is that I can see the tangible difference this work makes to people.”