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

Couples coming to counselling are asked to be honest about their own motivation levels, skepticism and hopes for therapy as part of the assessment. Problems are initially identified in both one on one sessions, and then lead into mutual encounters which are guided to elicit authentic feelings and engender empathy, understanding & appreciation. If a relationship is badly damaged (such as by infidelity) exercises for unraveling contempt are presented. Often in couples work, individuals become aware of certain cultural, inter-generational or early life patterns that get played out and learn strategies to manage them. When a relationship has run its course the work may be about "farewell".

Are you and your partner struggling to connect or facing ongoing conflict? I’m Simona Ilieva, a Registered Psychotherapist specializing in couple therapy. Together, we’ll work to improve communication, rebuild trust, and strengthen your relationship. Whether you're dealing with intimacy issues, frequent arguments, or feeling disconnected, I’m here to help you both navigate these challenges and find a path forward. Every relationship can benefit from support, and with the right tools, you can create a healthier, more fulfilling partnership. No matter how stuck you feel, change is possible. Let’s take that step toward a stronger connection together. Book a free consultation today.

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.

We all want to be loved and feel connected to our partners. The reality is that relationships are nuanced and complicated and can often touch on our deepest wounds and insecurities. Couples therapy is a wonderful tool to aid in building a healthy and fulfilling relationship. We will work to identify helpful and harmful patterns, create space for open and honest communication, and learn how to love one another more effectively. In couples therapy your relationship is at the centre and together we will work to strengthen and maintain your connection. Please contact me for a free consultation to determine if I am the right fit for you.

My approach to couples counseling is grounded in Relational Life Therapy (RLT), which focuses on helping couples move from conflict and disconnection to closeness and mutual respect. I guide partners to identify and interrupt destructive patterns, take responsibility for their own behaviors, and communicate needs clearly without blame.

We all long for connection. Many of us feel great in the times when a relationship is new and the connection is just developing. The problems come when we have to repair distance/rifts in that connection, or when we need to sustain and deepen our connection to our partners. Maybe we never learned how. Maybe we carry scars and trauma from past relationships. Maybe we have patterns in our histories that we never really dealt with. Maybe all of the above. Our work together will take all of that into account and in a non-judgmental environment, we will hold space for you both to learn how to repair, strengthen and maintain your most important relationships.