Great Couples Counselling in West Point Grey, BC. Therapy to heal relationships.

Intimate relationships often challenge us in ways few other relationships or experiences do. Whether you are starting a new relationship or struggling as a couple, I can help you address issues such as trust, intimacy, communication, conflict, and distance that might be preventing you from finding harmony in your relationship. In our work together, you can gain insight into how to improve patterns of relating to one another, learn about the possible origins of these patterns, find ways to de-escalate conflict, and move toward building trust, intimacy, and a sense of greater connection.

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.

Relationships can become tense, defensive, and hostile. Sometimes, ruptures in trust occur that leave us questioning "should I still be with you?" When our relationships feel insecure, we react often through becoming critical/nagging, or shutting down and checking out. I practice a form of evidence-based couples therapy called Emotion-Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT). Through EFT, we identify the negative cycle that has come to define your relationship, and work to repair this ruptured attachment bond, helping partners feel safer and freer around one another. This leads to improved intimacy, better communication, and a stronger emotional connection.

In my work with individuals, I have noticed folks come to therapy because of challenges in their relationships. I draw on the Gottman Method which focuses on helping folks build stronger emotional connections, improve communication, and manage conflict effectively. We work on strengthening the "friendship system" of the relationship, which includes trust, intimacy, and mutual respect, while also addressing deeper issues like shared goals and values. By using practical tools and exercises, the Gottman Method helps people foster a sense of understanding and partnership, creating a foundation for a more fulfilling and resilient relationship.

I have extensive experience in marriage and couple therapy. In any relationship, both people play a role in the problems and concerns, and it take two to find solutions. I work with couple dealing with communication issues, fidelity, divorce and separation, co-parenting and commitment issues. I promote mutual support, and a collaborative approach to problem solving which builds trust in the couple and the counselling process. I help couples move through the old, repetitive cycles of arguing towards new and healthier communication and connection.

Do you or your partner suffer from social anxiety and it's affecting your relationship? Social anxiety is a fear of negative judgment from others and it can lead to reduced levels of intimacy, suppressed emotions, feelings of isolation and loneliness and lack of communication. If one or both of you feels anxious socially, your relationship may be suffering too. Contact me for ways in which you can move past social anxiety to a fuller, intimate, richer, relaxed more authentic relationship.

Intimate relationships are not easy. To have a fulfilling relationship, it takes the work of two people to build and sustain a loving, caring & harmonious relationship. I can help you to understand that there will always be arguments, but the arguments don't need to destroy your marriage. Together we can work on ways to resolve the reasons why you fight and to learn to talk to each other in ways that can help you understand each other. You and your partner have your unique views, beliefs and values. These will need to be discussed so you can both go forward creating the relationship you want. My approach is to work with you in a sensible & practical way to help you get a meaningful outcome.

The research around attachment tells us that having a sense of closeness with others is essential to our well-being. When partners feel a lack of connection, it can touch on past wounds that may even exacerbate the present difficulties. All couples go through challenging times, and it is important that both individuals remain allies, even through trouble. Skilled couples counselling can support this, and help the relationship become stronger than ever before. I draw from a number of approaches when working with couples, especially Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and communication approaches such as Non Violent Communication.

Relationships are essential for living a heathy life. Human brains are hard wired for love and connection, and as such, when relational issues surface life may become a challenge. Conflict, however, is a natural part of life. Relationships typically move from harmony, to disharmony to repair. It is the repair of the rupture in relational issues that is essential. Learning to communicate with respect and transparency is key. Using tools such as Non-Violent Communication, The Feedback Wheel the 5 Losing Strategies are valuable sills to learn for developing healthy ways of communicating with others.

Angela supports couples to develop positive new perspectives of their relationship/marriage. Angela has completed advanced (Level 3 training) in the Gottman Method and is committed to helping couples gain renewed hope and connection through the use of activities targeting problematic patterns within the relationship. Couples gain new communication skills, self-awareness & understanding of their partner, conflict resolution skills that foster increased trust, friendship, and intimacy! Bring peace to your relationship and call today!

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.

I use the Gottman method to help couples work through their marital concerns to establish a friendship, nurture a stronger emotional bond, find shared meaning, and learn skills for conflict resolution. Couples typically engage in therapy to strengthen their connection, cope with crisis situations, and improve communication. I work with partners to instill a sense of understanding by breaking unhealthy patterns of communication and behaviours that may be showing up due to earlier experiences. Couples are provided with the opportunity to navigate through difficult relational dynamics to achieve happiness, fulfillment, and satisfaction in their relationship.

In an environment of safety and respect, it is my hope that each person will develop a greater self-awareness and a sincere willingness to change. Couples will learn to listen to and understand the feelings and needs of their partner, as well as to communicate their own more effectively. Couples will identify the repetitive negative patterns in their relationship that create distress and alienate one from the other. Each person also will explore negative thought and behaviour patterns within themselves, and relevant past issues that may be contributing to their difficulties. It is my hope that couples will discover that they do have the capability to build a healthy relationship.

Charlene has over 10 years experience working with couples. Couples counselling can help to identify the problem issues that each couple is facing and provide them with effective tools to work through these issues. Couples counselling can improve communication between couples, teach couples how to fight fairly and to work together during difficult times. Call Charlene to discuss how she can help you and your partner find your way back to love.

Relational conflict can take a hug toll on your mental health, and on your children. Maybe your starting out in a relationship and want to get started on the right foot, or perhaps you're ready to call it quits but want to give it one last try. Wherever you're at I can help you and you're partner identify where you're getting stuck, and teach you the skills to find a path forward. I use Relational Life Therapy to help couples. A ground-breaking new approach to couples therapy that that is wildly effective and much faster than traditional approaches. I'll help you communicate as equals on the same playing field, teaching you the skills of relational empowerment that have transformed my life.

EFFECTIVE COUPLE AND MARRIAGE COUNSELLING I specialize in helping couples resolve those painful relationship struggles that no matter how hard you try, leave you feeling desperate and alone. In a safe and compassionate environment, you will discover new communication patterns that calm fears and strengthen warm connection. Research shows that 86% of couples completing the Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) approach - my approach - report experiencing greater happiness in their relationship that lasts. BOOK A FREE 15 MINUTE VIDEO OR PHONE CONSULTATION at francesbrowncounselling/janeapp.com or call 604.219.2690

Having difficulties communicating? Fighting too much? Not talking any more? Have you lost that loving feeling? Trying to get past an affair? Love is not always enough - there are relationship skills that every successful couple incorporates. Let me teach you some new skills and help you put the passion back into your relationship. I have been trained by the Gottman Institute which has been researching successful relationships for more than 30 years. Don't wait, call me now at 604-468-7300, and start loving again.

I utilize Gottman Therapy, having completed Levels 1 and 2 training. Our sessions begin with an assessment to identify the specific issues affected the relationship whether it was an affair , lack of communication and connection or other challenges. The assessment allows us to implement the most effective interventions. Through Gottman Therapy, we can enhance the relationship between partners and foster a stronger connection in a relatively short period.

Individual therapy is complementary with couple therapy. Clients come in to get individual therapy and then feel the need to bring their partner/spouse to overcome obstacles that are causing stress. I work with both people to create unhealthy and equally respected environment in the home. Each household is different thereby each need of each person is different, I help clients address their needs with their partner. The clients work through worksheets, role playing, make lists and do other exercises that encouraging positive change and healthy communication skills.

Couples therapy. I am trained in solution focused couples therapy to bring the issues at hand right out at the first appointment. I ask clients to prepare for their first appointment by bringing in a wish list, what each partner wants the other to get better at, to stop, to do more of, and to do less of. These take us right to the couples' goals and then we begin to work on the most important issues on their list. A successful, peaceful relationship can bring great joy to our lives.

In times of conflict we feel attacked and unsafe. We are flooded with emotions and act out of a sense of being overwhelmed: "Attack," "Run!" "Comply!" and "Hide!" are some of the ways we respond to conflict. In counselling, couples learn to see themselves as separate from each other and therefore less threatened. Once the emotional storm is diffused, couples can learn specific skills and perspectives that heal the relationship. But we do not seek simply to return to the status quo. Couples can then learn to hear, value and enjoy each other. Life with your partner can be fun and every day a day of discovering the pleasure of the person you are with.

My approach to couples counselling is to first assess your strengths and challenges as a couple. Every couple has strengths that can be summoned to support the work on the areas of challenge. I listen carefully to see how your relationship can benefit from specific techniques around conflict resolution, sharing responsibilities and parenting roles. My nonjudgemental approach allows that both partners are heard and able to share their thoughts and feelings in a way that is heard by the other. I can then support real changes that begin to take place, based on clear and open communication.

I use the Intimacy From the Inside Out framework for couples therapy. This approach focuses on helping individuals and couples explore their internal worlds—their emotional needs, fears, desires, and vulnerabilities—in a way that fosters more authentic and fulfilling connections with one another. "Inside Out" refers to looking inward and understanding how your inner world influences your behavior, actions, and reactions in the relationship. This includes examining your emotional patterns, past experiences, and unmet needs that shape how you engage with your partner.

Every relationship faces challenges, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Whether you’re struggling with communication, trust, or intimacy, couples counseling can help you reconnect and rebuild. I help couples express their needs, understand each other on a deeper level, and create a stronger, more fulfilling relationship. Let’s strengthen your bond and rediscover the connection that brought you together in the first place.

Sue Johnson teaches in her emotion focussed therapy that there is a specific emotional process - a dance - that occurs between each couple. This cycle of relating (which can start with not getting one’s needs met and be followed by some protective response, for example), is largely informed by each partner’s early attachment wounds. When our relationship does not offer enough safety to be vulnerable, or when the more honest we are with our partner the more our connection is threatened, it’s time to reach out for support. In couples therapy we work to establish safety, vulnerability and connection, as well as learn the practical skills of effective communication and conflict resolution.