Our couples and family therapist explores a range of issues that impacts relationships, including life transitions, loss of connection, conflict, betrayal, domestic violence, trauma, and grief. Her approaches include Emotional Focused Therapy, Gottman Method, Cognitive-Behavioural, Psychodynamic and Narrative. Her work also involves parent coaching and family therapy for families affected by a loved one’s mental health and/or addictions issues. Call us today to book a free consultation!
Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Psychotherapist (RP), Masters of Counselling Psychology (MACP)
We all strive to have healthy, loving, and supportive relationships where we can have the space to be ourselves, while also feeling connected to our partners. Our daily lives, major life transitions, and difficult individual circumstances can create challenges in relationships and leave us susceptible to getting stuck in unhelpful patterns. Working together, as a couple, in a therapeutic environment involves shifting these patterns of interaction and developing healthy communication to work together, as a unit to resolve problems and conflicts you may be experiencing while gaining deeper insight of ourselves and our partners. Schedule a free consultation with me to see if we are a good fit.
Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Psychotherapist (RP), Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC)
Couples therapy is a collaborative approach and a safe space to communicate how you feel. Marriage and couples counseling tends to deal with present-day events rather than the past. It focuses on the 'now' and the challenges of married life so that you can get your relationship back on track. Couples therapy deals with the present day but also any history that causes unhealthy patterns of relating. Using the Gottman Method, I focus on communication and conflict resolution and what areas need improvement where we will then learn about creating new connections and rituals. We will also focus on building new meanings and shared value systems that will help you strengthen your relationships.
Relationships face different challenges at different stages. You might be wondering if you and your partner are ready to take your commitment to the next level. You might be struggling to manage the phenomenal transition from couplehood to parenthood (where couple satisfaction typically plummets...temporarily), or you might be wondering how to rekindle passion and connection in a long-term partnership. Whatever your couple needs, we're here to help you discover yourself and your partner through a lens of vulnerability, connection, positive attachment, and open communication. Sound scary? Relationship and marriage counselling can be...and then clarity and new possibilities arise. Contact us today for a free consultation to help us match you to the right therapist for your unique needs.
Couples will be guided to identify negative patterns causing distance or conflict in their relationship dynamics. We will explore how to express, explore, and understand the underlying feelings that drive behaviours creating disconnection in your relationship from an attachment lens. By uncovering these emotions and learning to share them with each other in a way that brings you closer, it allows the calming of the nervous system which in turn allows for a deepening of connection, curiosity, and exploration.
My second book Connecting: Rewire Your Relationship-Culture is devoted to all things "relationship". I find that couples become unhappy in their relationships often not because of the big things like infidelity... it is all about the accumulations of little things that over time simply destroy the relationship.
We tackle the "pre-marital" checklist to ensure that their relationship-culture remains healthy. I think this work is essential since, in my experience, so many couples end up in couples’ therapy because they did not do this kind of due diligence early on. Getting real about why you chose this person, what your inner motivations are and what your family-culture influences may be are so important to ensure a successful marriage and relationship-culture.
When one enters the realm of long-term relationships and marriage, it seems that despite good intentions to not be influenced by their family of origin’s dysfunction, the autopilot “marriage personality” seems to crop up.
We work with how to fight fairly, how to communicate when triggered, micro aggressions and the the Gottman "turning away versus turning towards" principles that left unchecked will deteriorate the foundation of the relationship.
We tackle Relationship Rescue 911 when the relationship is in crisis and unpack Gottman's four horseman of destruction of a relationship and the way out of those patterns. (Dr. Gottman named four negative behavior patterns that can predict divorce. He called these destructive patterns “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.” ,
• Criticism: Passing judgments. Nitpicking. Constantly finding fault in the other person. Using “you” sentences; for example, “You need to go on a diet” or “You dress like a child.” Using the words “always” and “never” in sentences describing your partner; for example, “You always think only about yourself,” “You never do things the right way” or “You never do anything for me.”
• Contempt: Feeling that the other person is inferior to you. Feeling that you are superior to the other person. Having no respect for the other person. Feeling disgusted with the other person; for example, saying, “What’s wrong with you?” “You’re disgusting!” “I can’t believe I’m even with you.”
• Defensiveness: The communication is coming from a perceived feeling of an attack. Feeling like the victim in the dynamics. Feeling as though you have to constantly protect yourself. The communication comes off as angry, corrective, protective; for example, “It’s not my fault that we don’t communicate well.”
• Stonewalling: Completely shutting the other person out. No longer interacting with the other person. Emotionally amputating the other person. Ignoring them. Behaving as though the other person does not exist. Freezing the other person out as a punishment for not doing what you want them to do or behaving the way you want them to behave.
We tackle coping with Conflict and Anger in a Healthy Way through powerful communication techniques including "Initiate and Reflect".
Registered Psychotherapist, HBEd, MA (Hons.), Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Remember that you fell in love for a reason, and that is reason enough to save your relationship. The Gottman Model is based on over 40 years of scientific research with a 92 percentile success rate. Fact is, that lack of communication can drive a spike between two people wider than any physical distance. This is a safe, empathetic and unbiased environment. The first step is choosing to come to therapy TOGETHER.
Conflict and loneliness can be most painful when they arise in our most cherished relationship. Therapy can provide a supportive space to explore your concerns in an open and honest way with your partner. My approach to couples therapy acknowledges the importance of relationships in our lives and focuses on strengthening these relationships by fostering safe, honest and open communication. Contact me to start your healing journey.
Many people that come into our lives can most often help us identify things that we need to heal. As with any relationship, when giving therapy, the therapist must take into account the dynamics of the relationship. Relationship dynamics give us great insight into our own needs for healing particular aspects of our lives so the we may fulfill our potential or feel whole. Learn to identify communication danger signs in your relationships – escalation, invalidation, negative interpretations, and withdraw. Understand how filters such as inattention, emotional states, mind-reading, differences in styles, and defensiveness are harming your relationships – and how to stop them!
Our EFT therapists, work with couples to identify the sabotaging patterns in their relationship and develop strategies for enhancing intimacy and constructive communication.
Relationships and marriage are challenging and often bring out what we need to heal the most. What needs to be addressed and looked at in the present in the past will all be looked at and worked on as necessary in order to heal.
Over 25 years of years working with couples, Emotionally Ficus Couples Therapy (EFT) and my own personal experience helps cut to the chase and assist couples in the recreation of safety and close bonds.
Every relationship has a reason and a meaning. Being together can make that meaning blossom. But if it's no longer meaningful, if the bloom has gone, it's time to change. Love can exist after separation.
Hypnotherapist, Holistic Psychotherapist & Master Life Coach, MC. (Psy.), IAPMC
Are you and your partner experiencing challenges in your relationship? Relationship and marriage counseling is not an admission of weakness; it is a courageous step towards strengthening your bond and enhancing your connection. Whether you’re facing a rough patch or simply looking to deepen your relationship, counseling can provide the support and guidance you need.
I believe that every couple has the potential to create a stronger, more exceptional relationship. My approach to relationship counseling is compassionate and integrative, focusing on open communication, mutual understanding, and emotional healing. Using a blend of holistic and synergistic techniques, we will work together to address the unique dynamics of your relationship and develop effective strategies for growth and harmony.
In our sessions, you and your partner will find a safe and supportive space to express your thoughts and feelings openly. We will work on improving communication, resolving conflicts, and rediscovering the joy and connection that brought you together. My goal is to support you both in building a resilient and fulfilling relationship that thrives on mutual respect and love.
Couples therapy can be beneficial at any point in your relationship journey. Whether you're experiencing relationship difficulties or seeking to enhance your relationship further, there are always opportunities to strengthen your bond. By learning to communicate effectively, fostering trust, and receiving healthy guidance, your relationship can flourish.
We encourage you to take a proactive approach to your relationship by investing in it before it encounters severe problems. Building a strong and lasting relationship requires conscious effort and a willingness to prioritize your relationship's growth.
Couples can often become fixated on repairing their partners’ behavior and waiting for the other to change before feeling content in the relationship. However, in my work with couples, I have found it fruitful to explore how each person in the relationship is contributing to a dynamic that they would like to change. I also believe that therapy should be a space where each person can express their views and feel validated and accepted by their partner(s). Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to ensure we are a good fit.
My background in relational therapy allows me to understand individuals through the relationships they cohabit. Couple therapy may be a vehicle for growth to occur both relationally and individually. This in turn may assist in bringing you closer to your desired goals through understanding and breaking down language used in romantic relationships. Throughout couple sessions, I lean towards emotionally focused therapy, as I have witnessed its transformative effects particularly in romantic relationships. Please contact me for a free consultation to learn more about my approach and to determine if we would be a good fit.
Specializing in relationship and marriage counseling, I offer a nurturing and non-judgmental environment where couples can rediscover the joy and connection in their partnerships. With a focus on communication, trust-building, and mutual understanding, I guide couples through challenges and conflicts, helping them navigate the complexities of love and intimacy. Through personalized strategies and empathetic support, I empower couples to deepen their emotional bond, reignite passion, and create a foundation of resilience that withstands the test of time. Together, we embark on a journey of growth and transformation, fostering healthier, more fulfilling relationships that enrich both partners' lives.
Marriage and family counseling is a collaborative process that focuses on improving communication, resolving conflicts, and fostering healthy dynamics within relationships. Our therapists are skilled in working with diverse couples and families, including those from various cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, and relationship structures.
With the additional expertise in sex therapy, our therapists can address the unique challenges and concerns related to intimacy and sexual well-being within relationships. Whether you're navigating issues such as desire discrepancies, sexual dysfunction, or communication barriers around sexuality, our therapists are knowledgeable and sensitive to these topics.
In our sessions, we create a safe and non-judgmental space for open and honest conversations. We prioritize understanding the dynamics and needs of each individual within the relationship or family unit. By fostering effective communication and empathy, we aim to help you develop healthier patterns of interaction, resolve conflicts constructively, and deepen emotional connection.
With a collaborative and strengths-based approach, we work together to identify and build upon the strengths and resources within your relationship or family. We provide tools, techniques, and guidance to enhance intimacy, rebuild trust, and nurture a more fulfilling and resilient bond.
18 Years Experience
