Great Couples Counselling in Penticton, BC. Therapy to heal relationships.

Relationships can be a great source of pleasure, support and companionship. They can also be deeply painful, and being lonely in the context of an intimate relationship is the most profound loneliness we can experience. A relationship can only be as strong as the individuals in it since each brings his or her own needs, strengths and weaknesses to it. Commitment and willingness to work on themselves as well as the relationship is key to making it work. Change may be scary, but not changing may be even more scary. Counselling can help address the impasses, chronic challenges, or long-standing patterns of interaction that create blocks to intimacy, as well as nurture the love beneath.

Many couples struggle with communication and "feeling heard". Over time a once happy and vibrant relationship can begin to decay through hurt feelings, anger, lack of attention, feeling valued, infidelity, the strain of children, childhood issues, and much more. We focus to heal the wounds of the past and rebuild the love and trust within the relationship. We work to equip both partners with a voice and ability to effectively listen and hear one another. We will work together to establish individual boundaries within the relationship, while creating a stronger and healthier connection. Our goal is to equip each couple with the tools they require for success, independent of counselling

If you're looking to improve your relationship, we'd work together to create a supportive environment for discussion, allowing each of you to share your perspective and experience. With important conversations and empathetic questions, there's opportunity to truly see each other and to collaborate to resolve the issues rather than engaging in blame. Together, we'd uncover experiences that promote mutual understanding, empathy and appreciation. Through this process you'll gain insights, develop new ways of communicating, strengthen your connection and establish a more fulfilling and harmonious relationship.

I work with couples using Gottman Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy and Attachment Therapy. I will help you identify your maladaptive patterns of behaviour and improve your communication skills. There is no shame in getting some coaching in how we connect with each other and how we can better meet each others needs. I use a strengths based approach to help you see the positives and remember why you fell in love.

Many relational patterns develop over time and become entrenched resulting in continual gridlock and conflict. Slowing down a couples communication to address the underlying emotion assists in bringing a greater understanding of your partners desires and needs. Adult attachment styles can also impact relationships and exploring attachments needs can bring about clarity and enhance emotional intimacy. Sheila has completed training in Gottman Relational Training and advanced level trainings in Emotion Focused Therapy for couples.

Maybe you still love each other, but your relationship doesn’t feel the way it used to. You may be stuck in the same arguments, struggling to communicate, feeling emotionally distant, or more like roommates than partners. Perhaps affection or sexual intimacy has faded, or trust has been hurt by an affair or betrayal. I provide couples counselling and marriage counselling to help you understand the patterns keeping you disconnected and find a different way forward. My approach is warm, down-to-earth and practical, drawing from Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) and Gottman-informed work. Together, we work toward better communication, greater intimacy, repaired trust and feeling like partners again.

Couples counseling with me is a transformative and personalized experience that focuses on the unique dynamics and challenges faced by couples. With a compassionate and unbiased approach, I aim to create a space where partners, in individual separate individual sessions, can openly express their, emotions, and concerns. Through active listening and effective communication techniques, I help identify underlying issues, improve their understanding of each other, and develop strategies for resolving conflicts. Whether couples are seeking to strengthen their bond, navigate major life transitions, or heal from past wounds, my goal is to facilitate growth, enhance their connection, and empower them

Emotionally focused therapy is based on the connections of childhood attachment theory(John Bowlby). Inconsistent care in childhood can lead to difficult patterns into adulthood and, more specifically, in intimate partner relationships. These patterns are modifiable through EFT counselling support; understanding them is key to the development of more secure and fulfilling adult relationships.