Great Couples Counselling in Burlington, ON. Therapy to heal relationships.

We all want to love, be loved, and connect with our significant others. Yet, it can feel daunting at times, due to repetitive relationship patterns (influenced by our childhood wounding), poor communication skills, cultural/gender differences, and inability to negotiate “me” with “we”. So be it past trauma, poor communication skills, inability to handle stress, different upbringing (thereby different ways of doing things), or sexual challenges, among other things, I help couples identify the areas/habits which challenge them, behaviors which destroy relationships, and anything else that stands in the way of them achieving an intimate connection.

Healthy relationships take commitment & work. I help couples increase emotional intimacy & connection. I help them stop unhelpful ways of interacting, achieve resolution to their unresolved conflicts, & take responsibility for their negative contributions to patterns. Couple relationships require re-committing ourselves to each other repeatedly throughout the length of our relationship. I will help you to learn to "turn towards" one another. I will also help you to eliminate the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, a phrase coined by couple researches John and Julie Gottman. Lastly, all couple relationships include pursuer-distancer patterns. I will help you identify these and work to stop them.

Using a client-centered approach for couples focuses on communication between individuals. Our sessions will involve an open conversation where each member can feel safe to share their emotions and feelings. We will discuss patterns of communication and behavior between the members and, using exercises, work on improving communication and emotional honesty. Using exercises, we will work together to identify negative behavior cycles and work towards building positive and reinforcing interactions.

Couples Counselling Most relationships will become strained at some point and will begin producing maladaptive patterns. Relationship problems are rooted in our distorted egos, insecure attachment, emotional immaturity etc., which create to the many issues that develop for couples - infidelity, financial stress, poor communication, ill health, sexual divergence, household responsibility conflicts, addictions, etc., .... or just simply growing apart. Relationships can often be restored if help is sought soon enough. A counsellor can help reorient perceptions and emotions (how we look at a situation and how we feel about it) and assist the couple in adopting conscious structural changes.

Relationships can be some of the most meaningful and yet challenging parts of our lives We so often forget that we only get out what we put in to a relationship. Often individuals have expectations that a relationship should be good without a significant investment of time and energy Increasing communication skills, reducing judgement, listening and empathizing, are some basic steps towards the growth of a relationship .

Healthy relationships and emotional connection are typically fostered by effective communication and boundaries. Therapy can help you and your partner understand the patterns you are currently feeling stuck in and learn how to communicate each of your needs and perspectives from a place of vulnerability, compassion, and care. I work with individuals, couples and families. Book a free consultation to explore if we are a good fit for therapy.

One of the most detrimental problems that I have seen in Family Therapy is when parents become so overwhelmed by life, inundated by the responsibilities with their children (hockey, karate, tutoring, piano, etc), and consumed in running the household that they forget about the relationship that they have with their spouse. I hear things like “I don’t even know my husband anymore”, “there just isn’t any time left for us”, “we are growing apart”, or “we can’t agree on anything; not the kids, not the house, not the dog… help!” All is not lost and there are ways to learn to balance all of the aforementioned intricacies of a family dynamic. You don’t have to hold it all together by yourself.

The primary focus of couple therapy is the quality of interactions between the couple. Where resentment, frustration, and hurt have been an impediment to communication, counselling provides an opportunity for each person to have their concerns openly addressed and understood. I will help you understand your differences, resolve underlying contentious issues and provide you with opportunities to learn effective communication techniques so that you can enjoy positive meaningful interactions. As a seasoned relationship therapist, my ultimate goal is to enable a couple to experience a deeper level of connection, harmony and intimacy in their relationship.

Difficulties can arise in intimate relationships and can be challenging to resolve. Couple therapy can help you talk about the issues in your relationship, better understand and process feelings and emotions that might lie behind the conflict or misunderstandings and find ways to reconnect, find common ground and meet your relationship goals. In your work with me, I aim to provide a safe space for you to openly share your thoughts and feelings while finding ways to be present and open to your partner’s experiences and perspectives. Schedule a free consultation with me to see if we are a good fit.

Intimate relationships are like a dance – they can be quite joyful and energizing but when facing obstacles, partners need to find the steps and rhythm to move more freely. Couple therapy can provide a safe space in which you and your partner can gain a deeper understanding of one another and what contributes to difficulties within the dance of your relationship. Should you decide to attend sessions, I will work with you to facilitate honest conversations, help you to better understand what you may need from one another, and support you in finding a way to step toward more acceptance, intimacy, and connection. Contact me or book a free consultation if you wish to learn more.

Relationship’s dynamics can be challenging to navigate even during the best of times, and couple therapy can help partners find new ways to relate, connect, and communicate with each other. Asking for what you want and need in a relationship can be scary, so therapy should be a safe space where you and your partner feel comfortable exploring your needs and expectations together. I work collaboratively with clients to identify and explore patterns of interaction that they want to strengthen or change in their relationships, as well as holding space for vulnerability and connection. Book a free consultation to learn more about my approach and explore if we are a good fit.

Day in and day out for the last twenty-five years I have worked with couples both as a seminar trainer and as a therapist. I love seeing couples transformed as they find their way back to love and to each other. All couples struggle! The wise ones seek help! While all successful couples do similar things . . . broken relationships can be broken in a myriad of ways. It is my job to come a long side the couple to resolve, heal and recover. I love working with couples to develop communication and conflict resolutions skills. When couples come to me honestly seeking help and committed to put effort into their recovery the outcomes are nothing short of wonderful!

We are not prepared to be married. Clouded with romantic ideals and unreasonable expectations, our relationships can quickly begin to feel lacking in fulfillment. I believe that most couples don't want divorce. What they do want is to feel connected again and safe again. I use Imago Therapy and Emotion Focused Therapy to help couples re-connect. Building a healthy marriage takes both time and commitment. The skills you will obtain will give you a clear path to reconnection and safety.