Great Couples Counselling in Port Alberni, BC. Therapy to heal relationships.

I provide a neutral place for couples to express their needs, preferences, and hopes for the relationship. Each partner is given time to express themselves and focus is placed on understanding each person's perspective. Conflict resolution can be a big part of couples counselling and this is brought into session through the lens of respect and communication. I work to guide you through sources of conflict, identify what each partner needs in that moment, and brainstorm ways in which these needs can be met.

The first step with my approach to couples therapy is for us to establish rapport as you inform me of the problem that has brought you to therapy. I use a Choice Theory approach which includes defining more closely what each of you want for yourselves as individuals and the relationship as a whole. From there, we get to work on rebuilding trust in the relationship by enhancing communication skills so each of you feel listened to, heard, and respected. Then we can build on trust to establish the changes needed to restore the happiness that brought you together in the first place.

Our passion is supporting relationships! We are skilled and passionate in supporting marriages / relationships by understanding the context of the relationship and what the concerns/issues are. We also understand couples often need support in identifying the deeper meaning or deeper assessment of the concerns. We offer an individualized approach to each couple and family. We utilize Gottman, Systemic Family Therapy and other dignity informed approaches.

I understand that navigating relationship issues can be incredibly challenging, affecting both your emotional health and the quality of your partnership. In our couples counselling sessions, we'll establish a safe environment for open dialogue, employing the Gottman Method to identify and address the root causes of your conflicts. This evidence-based approach focuses on improving communication, building empathy, and fostering mutual respect. While the journey to a healthier relationship may take time and commitment from both sides, there's genuine hope for renewal and happiness. Together, we can work towards a more harmonious and fulfilling relationship.

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.

Loving, successful relationships need to be carefully and skillfully nurtured in the following five areas: Emotional, Intellectual, Spiritual, Sexual, Financial. Couples who are ready to do ongoing work on their relationships are richly rewarded with a loving, meaningful and joyful life together. Committed relationships that have the possibility of morphing into long term relationships benefit greatly by being guided by the Gottman research on relationships as well as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Premarital Counselling prepares a couple for a new stage in their relationship by identifying potential areas of conflict and strength and developing tools to create a strong foundation.

Validation, communication and trust, the three pillars or foundation stones of a successful relationship. Sound familiar? Do you feel that one or more of these may be missing from your relationship? Emotional accountability, listening skills, anger management, re-building trust & intimacy, defense mechanisms, projection, interpersonal conflict...these all undermine the strength of a healthy relationship. We can work with whatever is presented, and help your relationship get back on track. The honeymoon phase can resume, for not all hope is lost. We can work together, and with effort made both in session and at home, we can repair any amount of accrued damage. I look forward to helping you.