Couples Therapy
Couples Therapy provides a supportive space to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and deepen your connection. It’s especially helpful when either or both partners feel their needs aren’t being met, when it seems like you’re not truly being heard or seen, or when finding common ground feels impossible, despite your best efforts.
Our aim is not only to help you strengthen and improve your relationship but also to guide you through more challenging moments, such as a breakup, separation, or divorce. We’re here to support you in finding clarity, making thoughtful decisions, and achieving closure, no matter where you are in your relationship journey.
Below, you’ll find details on session structure, what to expect, as well as information about rates, billing, and frequently asked questions.
Couples Therapy Structure
Session 1: Initial Couples Assessment (60 mins)
In your first session, you and your partner will meet with the therapist together. This session is all about exploring the key issues in your relationship and understanding what’s causing you stress. It’s an opportunity to be open and honest, so the therapist can get a clear picture of your situation and begin to set the foundation for effective support.
Sessions 2 & 3: Private 1:1 Sessions (60 mins each)
After your initial joint session, each partner will have one or two individual sessions. These private meetings allow your therapist to dive deeper into your personal experiences, needs, and perspectives. You’ll then bring these insights back into your couples sessions, ensuring that your work together is more focused and informed.
Sessions 4 and Beyond: Couples Therapy (60 mins)
After the assessment process, you’ll then focus on specific strategies to address the issues you’ve discussed. These sessions are all about practicing new skills, resolving ongoing challenges, and reinforcing positive changes. Here’s what you might work on together:
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Improving communication skills and learning to listen without jumping to conclusions or escalating conflicts.
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Gaining a deeper understanding of each other’s struggles, fears, and vulnerabilities.
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Learning how to disagree constructively without damaging the relationship.
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Improving intimacy—both sexual and non-sexual.
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Rebuilding and strengthening trust.
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Navigating through issues of infidelity, betrayal, or hurt.
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Managing family dynamics and setting healthy boundaries.
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Exploring personal boundaries and uncovering past experiences that may be influencing your relationship.
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Deciding whether to nurture the relationship or part ways with clarity.
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Mediation for couples considering separation or divorce.
Rates and Billing
We can offer direct billing to Medavie Blue Cross ONLY.
Counselling therapy is typically billable to most insurance companies, but it’s your responsibility to verify whether your specific insurance plan covers the cost. Insurance coverage for counselling therapy can vary between plans and provinces, so we recommend confirming details directly with your provider. If your plan includes a co-payment, you’ll be responsible for paying that portion during your session. In cases where your plan doesn’t support direct billing, we’ll provide a detailed receipt for you to submit your claim manually.
If you have any questions about billing or insurance, feel free to reach out, and we’ll be happy to assist!
FAQs
How often do we need to attend couples therapy?
Typically, couples meet monthly for about 4-6 sessions, with additional sessions scheduled as needed based on your progress and goals.
What’s the commitment at the start of therapy?
Starting couples therapy involves a commitment to completing the initial three sessions. These sessions are crucial for us to fully understand your relationship dynamics and identify the areas that need attention. While it can be challenging to wait for visible changes, especially when emotions are high, completing these initial sessions is key to laying the foundation for meaningful improvements. We cannot skip this step, as it allows us to tailor the therapy to your specific needs and start working toward real change.
What does the therapist expect from us as a couple?
In couples therapy, we expect both partners to actively participate and engage in the process. Our role is not to "save" your relationship, but to guide you in identifying areas for growth, and to provide you with the tools and resources to make lasting changes. The responsibility for applying these tools and working towards a healthier relationship lies with both of you. By committing to therapy, both partners are expected to contribute openly and fully to the process. If we notice a lack of engagement or commitment from either partner, we may suggest pausing therapy or reassessing whether this approach is the right fit for your relationship.
Will the therapist tell us to end our relationship?
No, the decision to end a relationship is never made by the therapist. The choice to continue or end the relationship is ultimately up to you as a couple. If this becomes a possibility, we are here to support you through the process, offering guidance, compassion, and clarity as you navigate this difficult decision. Our role is to help you explore your options and make informed choices that are right for both of you.
How do I know if couples therapy is right for me?
Couples therapy is beneficial if you and your partner are facing difficulties that feel hard to resolve on your own. It’s especially helpful if you want to improve communication, rebuild trust, or navigate challenges like infidelity, parenting, or significant life changes. Therapy can also help when things feel stuck or when you want to strengthen your relationship before problems escalate.
What if my partner doesn’t want to come to therapy?
If your partner is hesitant to attend therapy, it’s still valuable to start individual therapy to work on your emotional well-being and communication strategies. Some individuals find that once they start their own therapy, their partner becomes more open to joining. It's important to focus on what you can control and take care of yourself first.
Where can't the therapist help in couples therapy?
There are certain situations where therapy may not be able to move forward or where we are unable to provide support in the way you might expect. These include:
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Keeping Secrets: If one partner requests that we keep a secret that impacts the relationship, we cannot honour that request. Confidentiality is owed to the relationship as a whole, not to each individual partner.
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Affair Disclosure: Full transparency is essential for effective therapy. If there is a lack of full disclosure regarding an affair or infidelity, we cannot continue therapy until both partners are willing to address the issue openly.
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Violence: If there is any form of violence or abusive behaviour present, we cannot proceed with couples therapy. The safety and well-being of both partners is paramount, and we will refer you to the appropriate services for support.
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Interfering Challenges: Therapy may need to be paused if either partner is experiencing interfering challenges, including:
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Suicidal ideation
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Substance Use
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Gambling Issues
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Significant mental health challenges that require individual therapy or urgent intervention (Personality Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, etc).
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In these cases, we may refer you to specialized services or individual therapy to address the underlying issues before returning to couples therapy.