Great Couples Counselling in Oak Ridges, ON. Therapy to heal relationships.

All relationships go through ups and downs but seeing a trained and experienced therapist can make a big difference in how situations get resolved. We have over a decade of experience helping couples improve their communication, find healthy ways to manage conflict, go through life transitions together, get their parenting styles on the same page, address trust issues, deal with lack of intimacy or sexual issues, recover from extra marital affairs, manage the division of labor for household responsibilities and many many other issues. We approach each situation uncovering and building on peoples’ strengths, helping them to reach successful resolutions.

When it comes to couples, the total is greater than the sum of its parts. Therefore, in couple therapy, the focus is not on the two sides of the equation. Rather, the object of inquiry and therapy is the relationship between those two sides. The therapy examines the interpersonal relationship and treats it as a third space. Therefore, the goal is not to change the individuals but to change the way they communicate, understand, and accept each other. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit.

You can have an even better relationship! I work with you to identify what your issues are. We learn what your communication issues are, what is working and what is not in your relationship and implement practical action plans to improve this. Further, we identify your negative patterns of relating to each other and how this is a habit that hurts the relationship, and we learn how to get out of that pattern, shift behaviors, and relate in the most respectful, loving, kind manner which ultimately often improves your sex life, your happiness, and your fulfillment.

The team offers both couple and family counselling to help you learn to better navigate healthy relationships and experience the intimacy you need in your life. We are able to offer both short-term skill-building, activity-based couple counselling as well as a longer-term, dynamic approach that generally lasts 5-8 months, depending on the couple and scheduling. We see heterosexual, gay and lesbian couples, as well partnerships involving people with non-binary gender presentations. We see couples in open and polyamorous relationships. Attachment styles, love languages and IFS are used to help you better understand your relationship and learn to work together and get needs met.

Couples counselling in my sessions includes communication styles and changes, understanding each person's perspective, and more awareness of oneself in the relationship. Healthy attitudes and behaviours are explored together. Sometimes individual therapy is suggested alongside couples therapy if there are more severe issues in the relationship. Couples may include pre-marital, married, partners, separated, or even good friends who want relationship growth.

Relationships can be both satisfying, and frustrating. Although we can get along with some people some of the time, in close relationships we can sometimes get stuck, over-reactive, or even too distant. In couple counselling we can explore what's not working in your relationship, what your individual and 'couple' ideals and dreams are, and then strategize and work together on getting your relationship to a better place.

As a couples therapist, I witness firsthand the transformative power of couples counseling. It provides a dedicated space for partners to address underlying issues, improve communication, and rebuild trust. Through therapy, couples learn effective conflict resolution skills, deepen their understanding of each other's needs, and rediscover the emotional connection that brought them together. By fostering empathy and mutual respect, couples counseling lays the foundation for a healthier, more fulfilling relationship. Whether navigating challenges or seeking to strengthen their bond, couples counseling offers a supportive environment for growth and positive change.

Couples therapy is a collaborative approach and a safe space to communicate how you feel. Marriage and couples counseling tends to deal with present-day events rather than the past. It focuses on the 'now' and the challenges of married life so that you can get your relationship back on track. Couples therapy deals with the present day but also any history that causes unhealthy patterns of relating. Using the Gottman Method, I focus on communication and conflict resolution and what areas need improvement where we will then learn about creating new connections and rituals. We will also focus on building new meanings and shared value systems that will help you strengthen your relationshi

Does it feel like you keep having the same fights over and over again? Have you noticed there is more distance, less intimacy, and a sense of being 'apart' in your relationship? My approach to couples therapy includes thoroughly assessing the state of the relationship to uncover where the strengths and challenges lie. The goals are tailored to each unique relationship, but might include decreasing distance and increasing connection, uncovering problematic communication patterns and improving overall communication, building intimacy, working on future conflict management, creating shared visions, and enhancing safety and trust.

Therapy with couples is amongst the most rewarding aspects of my work as a therapist. Not much gives me greater pleasure than helping couples develop a deeper understanding of both their situation and of one another that leads to a more meaningful and enjoyable shared life. In my experience, couples can make incredible progress when both parties are motivated to improve the quality of their relationship and learn to love one another in healthier, more fulfilling ways.

I often see couples when one side is experiencing an addiction. This can cause relatively predictable effects in the other half of the partnership. The person addicted needs their own recovery and the partner needs their own healing. The couple also needs to heal by restoring trust and dealing with underlying issues. At OWA Therapy, I focus on overcoming those underlying issues.

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.

Relationships are very complex. They have the potential to enrich our lives if we let them. They require flexibility and compromise, good communication skills, and an awareness of ourselves as individuals. A couple is made up of two unique individuals who come from very different family backgrounds and who bring diverse beliefs and perspectives into the relationship. It's no wonder that difficulties arise. It is common for partners to get caught up in negative, destructive cycles that unless stopped, can propel the relationship into greater disharmony. Couples therapy can lead to a deeper and more meaningful relationship.

My interest lies not only with how we can remove problems in the relationship but what sort of potential can be unlocked? Romantic relationships are one of the most common issues people come to counselling for and experience issues in. My approach is to fully understand each individual and the dynamics of the relationship to figure out what optimal improvement can look like.

Sometimes it can feel like you and your partner aren't on the same page. You can have the same conversation over and over again, but things don't change. In our time together, we will be uncovering the root of the issues and implementing strategies that will improve communication. We will also be focused on reestablishing a sense of security, safety, validation, and acceptance for one another.

If your relationship is struggling, I can help you both to view it in a different way, and to learn new skills to re-connect and recover the intimacy that can sometimes go missing. Most people will experience emotional problems at some point in their life, and all relationships can have conflict creep in and cause disconnection and distance. Despite theses difficulties, I can help you bring vitality back into your life, and build a deeper connection between you and your partner.

As human beings we are hard wired for connection, yet many of us struggle in our most meaningful relationships for many reasons including betrayal, infidelity, blended families and other conflicts. Through 30 years of work we have recognized that often couples leave their relationship at the time they have the most to learn. Our team of therapists are trained to implement a variety of skills and techniques when working with couples, such as active listening skills, Imago, Gottman’s principals, managing emotions, and positive communication skills.

Through mediation, psychoeducation and solution focused approaches, I support couples and families to recognize and resolve relational difficulties, improve relational challenges and develop courage to change what does not work - until desired outcomes are reached for all parties involved. This type of support can help couples and families achieve a deeper understanding of each other and settle differences or significantly improve existing dysfunctional patters in areas not limited to resolving communication differences, cultural differences, infidelity, separation, divorce, blended family issues, substance abuse, parenting etc.

Taking time with your loved one can be a beautiful and fulfilling experience. However, it can feel challenging when you and your partner are stuck in previous patterns of behaviour, communication, and interaction. As a couple therapist, I will support you in better understanding yourself, your loved one, and your relationship to navigate challenges (e.g., communication, attachment, trust, etc.). I seek to enable you and your partner to work as a team in navigating whatever struggles come your way and developing your own unique toolkit. Speak with me today for a free consultation to begin your journey.

We examine the couple relationship, the troublesome differences and the repeating patterns of stress. Effective couples therapy requires commitment and time. Between 12 and 24 sessions is typical for change to occur. While remaining neutral is important , I am biased in favour of the integrity of the relationship. If in the process you decide to end your relationship, it should be a result of your decision, not the outcome of the therapy.

Relationship counselling can comprise of issues related to: communication, conflict/ separation, commitment, blended family, infidelity, parenting, same sex, and more. The goal of couples counseling is to target the main concern for each or one of the individuals involved. Next, the couple will work with a therapist to identify each individual’s accountability for both positive and negative contributions to a relationship. The critical point is acknowledging ways each individual can make improvements alone and how the couple can work to progress together in the relationship. Most couples can benefit from a check-in and restructuring of wants and needs, before an intervention is necessary.

There are many reasons why couples seek therapy. You may be experiencing communication problems that keep coming, feeling constantly criticized, not feeling heard, feeling emotionally distant from your partner, fighting over the same issues, feelings of anger and jealousy, feeling controlled by your partner, and differences in parenting styles. Couples therapy can help you strengthen your bond by learning healthy ways to communicate your needs, identify stuck patterns and learn new ways to be with each other. Often a few sessions is all that is needed for a “reset”.

They say home is where the heart is, and in your relationship, it's no different. I specialize in couple therapy, where I honor both perspectives and needs within your partnership. Together, we pave a path to reconnection through mutual understanding and a common purpose, putting the heart back in your relationship. Reach out for a free consultation, and let's work towards rekindling the spark and strengthening your bond.

Your marriage is in crisis, or you feel "stuck". Perhaps you are dealing with one of many common relationship issues, Infidelity, Frequent bickering and fighting, Inability to stop destructive patterns of behavior, Feeling taken for granted, Unsupported or misunderstood, No longer enjoying time together, Damaged trust or jealousy, Loss of intimacy, Challenges with parenting, Difficulties with the stress of work and family. Learning new communication skills which replace the old repetitive patterns, using Imago and Emotionally Focused Therapy are two strong amongst various approaches to reignite and/or deepen the connection that restores trust, safety and security, and harmony.

Relationships are work in which both parties have to be committed to resolving any arising issues. Often, a lack of communication, having unsatisfied emotional needs and expectations causes constant arguments between couples. Therefore, couples seek outside help when they are unable to resolve the conflict between themselves due to other issues or underlying conflict. In therapy discussing each other’s thoughts and feelings about the issues helps couples to get to know each other once again and also help them to better understand their spouse as well as themselves. As a result, the couple may acknowledge the root of the disruption and the changes needed to mend the relationship.