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

Couples are sometimes stuck in their cycle of communication where the "dance" has stopped and no one can move smoothly. Negative patterns have taken hold and both partners are caught in a rut. In a supportive and empathic environment I help clients understand and experience where they have been caught in their cycle, where they no longer hear or understand their partner. With new insights and understanding they become able to hear the music again, join the flow and move ahead with new choices in a clearer channel of communication.

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.

Couples face all sorts of unique challenges and I believe in creating a safe and inviting space where both parties can share openly what they are experiencing. From there, we can determine a plan to help both parties work towards a common goal, this may include repairing/healing, rebuilding, reconnecting, focusing on better communication, among other things.

Whether you're going through challenges as a couple or hoping to build communication skills to better prepare yourselves for difficult periods, couples therapy is a great space to learn to better understand and show up for your partner, while also advocating for yourself and your own needs. We'll slow things down, listen, reflect, and figure out what you and your partner need to get on, and stay on, the same page.

Relationships are the tapestry of life. Whether a close friend, a parent, a partner or a child, at times we need to sit down with a third party and talk about the relationship itself. But when hurt and pain is a part of the history this can be hard. In couples therapy, the relationship is the client and the therapist will support you in navigating difficult conversations to work towards healing.

Saint Paul University’s Counselling and Psychotherapy Centre welcomes a diverse clientele, for individual or couple’s therapy. Services are provided by counselling interns at the Master of Arts and Doctoral level in Counselling and Spirituality at Saint Paul University. *Services in French available

By participating in couples sessions, you and your partner can address a number of pieces of your relationship in a safe, non-judgmental space. Topics that may be explored include: conflict reduction and/or resolution, communication skills, emotional expression (and lack thereof), distance within the relationship, unfulfilled or unmet needs, as well as transitional challenges.

Communication is key to any relationship. It allows for emotions and thoughts to be explained and explored with others. Communication issues within a relationship can occur as a result of misunderstandings, heightened emotions and lack of validation. Communication is not just words; it also occurs through non-verbal communication. Body language and facial reactions are focused on and analyzed. This can cause frustration and criticism between those in the relationship. It becomes important to listen to what each other is saying as opposed to convincing the other person of your perspective.

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.

Over the course of your relationship, you are going to face its ups and downs. Learning how to meet all that life may throw at you, together as a couple and grow stronger in each experience are just some of the many benefits of couples counselling I provide. I help you develop the tools you need for when your relationship goes through a tough time. You'll learn how trust and open to your partner and feel safe, how to respond to your partner's needs during the good and the bad times, keep moving forward and blooming as the time goes by.

When I work with couples, I provide a safe and structured space where both partners can feel heard, understood, and respected. Clients benefit from my approach because I help them identify patterns in their communication, emotional reactions, and relationship dynamics that may be creating conflict or disconnection. I focus on concrete strategies to improve listening, express needs clearly, manage disagreements, and rebuild trust.

When you choose to explore couple’s therapy, there is often a desire to connect with your partner but a piling up of unresolved emotions that may motivate you to seek help. As a therapist, I use that same desire to try to help you recognize the patterns of communication that are preventing you from understanding each other. I would like to validate both your experiences and foster a new kind of communication that can hold space for both your needs. If you are ready to rebuild your relationship, call now for a free consultation.

I offer supportive couples counseling to help partners improve communication, reduce conflict, and rebuild emotional connection. In a safe and neutral space, I guide couples to better understand each other’s needs and learn healthier ways of relating. Using the Gottman Method, Imago Relationship Therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches, I help partners create greater trust, intimacy, and satisfaction in their relationship.

Right now your struggles as a couple may feel overwhelming, but most situations can be turned around with the right help and a willingness to try. I have worked with many couples of every kind and lifestyle, without judgment. The sooner you start, the more you have to work with. I have been a psychologist since 1986 and a professor emeritus of counselling psychology. I am based in Calgary and see clients across Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick by secure video. Book a session now: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14249112