Great Couples Counselling in Petawawa, 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".

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.

Communication skills are particularly useful for couples but often need to be learned and practiced. Past hurts need to be mended and cuts need to heal before trust and commitment can build a new foundation on which to move forward. Sometimes the early months of a relationship spark excitement and feelings of euphoria; however, these euphoric feelings give way to familiarity, and we start taking each other for granted. Relationship counseling promotes individual growth and awareness and works towards improved intimacy and deeper connection. Using the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) can help partners bring back the spark and give you new reasons to celebrate.

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.

Couples can often become fixated on repairing their partners’ behavior and waiting for the other to change before feeling content in the relationship. However, in my work with couples, I have found it fruitful to explore how each person in the relationship is contributing to a dynamic that they would like to change. I also believe that therapy should be a space where each person can express their views and feel validated and accepted by their partner(s). Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to ensure we are a good fit.

Everyone wants to feel heard and understood, that's why arguments are hardly ever about chores or childcare. Sessions will help you and your partner cut through the resentment and find a shared language that will help you see each other for your true selves. Communication will focus on expressing your needs in a safe environment and learning how to be able to meet your partner's needs with gentleness and validation.