Great Couples Counselling in Gibbons, AB. Therapy to heal relationships.

In my work I am enabling couples to resolve disagreements, or agree to disagree, without becoming disconnected or abusive. Given that different couples might need different types of intervention, the mechanisms of change vary accordingly. Therefore, in order to achieve change and enable growth, I am using an integrative approach, which I tailor to suit the needs, experiences, and personal circumstances of the couple.

Are you and your partner stuck in unsolvable arguments? Does one of you tend to ‘demand’ more while the other shuts down and withdraws? Are you feeling less connected and actually adding stress to each other’s lives instead of reducing it? While frustrating, these are perfectly normal patterns of partnership and there is hope. I would be glad to help you untangle the knots, learning to team up together instead of entering battles over who is right. In doing so, we will unpack past traumas and patterns of behaviour, learning to better communicate and to be safely vulnerable in a way that stands your relationship on solid ground.

You love each other, so why is it so hard? Communication on the surface looks so simple, but it can be hard to do well, especially if you weren't given the tools to be a good communicator. In couples counselling, you and your partner will learn what recurring patterns get you stuck, and what emotions that brings up for each of you. You'll learn to share your emotions and truly hear your partner's deepest feelings. Using an emotion focused model, you will get to practice communicating together to actively learn to get unstuck and connect more. You don't need to worry that I will choose sides; my job is to help you feel safe to express your feelings and share your love again.

[I OFFER VIDEO SESSIONS THROUGHOUT ALBERTA AND ONTARIO]. Your struggles might seem overwhelming now, but most situations can be rectified. I have worked with many couples, regardless of their lifestyle. I have been a psychologist since 1986. I am also a professor emeritus of counselling psychology. Set up an appointment now before things get worse by going to https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14249112

It is within our relationships that we experience the most joy and the most pain. Most relationships begin with a deep connection and people anticipate a future that continues to be passionate and fulfilling. It is inevitable, however, that disappointments and misunderstandings arise. Learning to communicate in an effective way that bridges differences and leads to respect and understanding are essential to a happy relationship.

Have You And Your Partner Experienced A Breakdown In Communication? Do you feel unable to work as a team or compromise on important issues? Are there differences between you that you didn’t foresee when your relationship started? Have you both gotten so busy with your lives that sex and intimacy have fallen to the bottom of your list of priorities? Maybe you and your significant other find yourselves arguing in circles—your interactions have become hostile and defensive. Perhaps there’s been infidelity and now you’re wondering if you’ll ever be able to rebuild the trust between you. Or maybe you both get along, but you’re newly married and struggling to blend your families together.

In couples counselling, I create a supportive space to help partners communicate more openly and effectively. I use tools and techniques, primarily from the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), to strengthen connection and resolve conflicts. These approaches help couples understand each other’s needs and build trust. I guide partners in exploring their emotions, communication patterns, and shared goals, helping them develop a deeper connection and a stronger, healthier relationship.

I often work with couples who are struggling in an effort to develop effective communcation, express feelings appropriately, overcome infidelity, deal with parenting conflicts, address unresolved issues, establish more of a connection with one another, adjust to various life transitions (such as having a baby), and deal with day-to-day struggles (such as housework). I use a variety of techniques to address these difficulties, with the ultimate goal of establishing a sense of goodwill and connection, so that each partner has empathy and support for the other, and they can create a sense of being a true team as they navigate life together.

In a relationship, each member is responsible for an equal share of the dynamic. In a family, that means it splits between the amount of people, and in a couple it’s 50% created by each partner. This 50% is the result of the individual’s needs- both functional and dysfunctional. Functional needs relate to biological drives, culture, relationship goals, values, etc. Dysfunctional needs come from limiting beliefs, which are internalized in our childhood. They create needs like: the need to be in control, or the need to protect oneself. The needs, whether functional or dysfunctional, can balance each other out, creating a “stabilizer” or they can become unmet needs.

Our Therapists at Rivers Edge Counselling can help you to • Effectively communicate with your spouse • Solve misunderstandings and engage in a “fair fight” • Increase your trust, intimacy and friendship with your spouse • Learn how to forgive when you feel betrayed • Focus on hopes and dreams that defines your relationship • Live with hope for a better future with your spouse

Dr. Vandegriend is a Registered Psychologist and Certified Gottman Therapist specializing in working with couples/marriage/relationships and implements a practical, easy-to-talk to, and results oriented approach. Areas of focus are: better communication; working through conflicts and areas where they just feel "stuck"; managing transitions better together (ie. new parents, retirement); healing after infidelity and establishing greater trust, respect and connection between each other; and deepening levels of intimacy. www.stalbertcounselling.com

I have a significant caseload of relationship therapy clients. I am comfortable with essentially any type of relationship taking place between consenting adults. I accept the orientation(s) of the parties to a relationship, and am as a rule able to come from there. If I have a bias, it is to preserve the being of the relationship, the "we" that emerges when one and another form a bond. My bias notwithstanding, I am able to assist parties to a relationship to achieve a more peaceful separation/termination when that is their choice.

The context of a relationship brings much more information to the surface then if we were alone. This can be very challenging and counseling can help sort this out. Couples counseling provides the opportunity to examine things as they play out within the couple. This arrangement can leads us to see first hand the strengths we have to connect with others. I have successfully worked with people from a variety of backgrounds to treat a variety of couples issues and look forward to working with you. Visit my website at www.prairieowlpsychology.ca from more details.