Couples Counselling

Serving the Roberts Creek,

Gibsons and Sechelt Communities

Why Consider Couples Counselling?

Relationships develop over time, and each person brings with them their own unique histories. Those histories and current ways of ‘being’ in the relationship can create patterns of disconnection, misunderstanding and loss of attunement. Couples counselling can create space to explore these loops we may find ourselves in, and identify constructive and therapeutic ways to move through them.

The Key Principles of Effective Therapy:

Client-Centered Approach:

Working with where you are in this moment as a couple will help us to identify reasonable goals and interventions to support more connectedness and understanding.

Relational Framework:

Relationships, much like vines, intertwine and need support. This approach anchors on strengthening bonds and nurturing connections.

Supportive Environment:

You are the expert in your lives. I am here to listen and support your strengths while providing suggestions on how to move through conflict in more productive and authentic ways.

The Collaborative Effort:

Couples counselling is best approached collaboratively. Working together in a non-judgmental and supportive space will bring us to a greater shared understanding.

The Therapeutic Methods We Trust

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Unlocking Positive Change in Relationships

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) offers an intricate process of refining and evolving our mindsets. As individuals and as couples, our behaviours are a culmination of our experiences, beliefs, and environments. CBT, at its core, seeks to break down these components, shining a light on patterns that hinder growth. By understanding these patterns, couples find themselves equipped to make strides towards a relationship that constantly evolves positively.

Addressing Anxiety and Depression in Relationships: Tools and Strategies

In the realm of relationships, anxiety and depression can play a potent role in affecting dynamics. Yet, with the right strategies, couples can reclaim the warmth and brightness they deserve. Here, we delve into the tools that can be harnessed to face these challenges head-on, ensuring a healthy relationship dynamic.

1. The Power of Communication

In the eye of the storm, it's easy to get lost in the chaos. Communication provides the compass that guides couples through it. When anxiety and depression loom, expressing feelings becomes paramount. By opening channels of understanding and empathy, couples create a sanctuary of trust and comfort.

2. Seeking Professional Guidance

While personal resilience and mutual support are pivotal, sometimes external expertise is essential. Therapists and counsellors offer a neutral, informed perspective that can introduce techniques, strategies, and insights to navigate through the complexities of anxiety and depression within relationships.

3. Cultivating a Supportive Environment

Our surroundings play a significant role in influencing our mental state. Hence, it becomes imperative to curate an environment that fosters positivity. Be it through routines, hobbies, or even the aesthetics of living spaces; a nurturing environment can be a bulwark against the strains of anxiety and depression.

4. Embracing Mindfulness and Meditation

The ancient practices of mindfulness and meditation have seen a resurgence, and for a good reason. These techniques ground individuals, helping them focus on the present. By being in the moment, couples can alleviate the burdens of the past and anxieties of the future.

5. Prioritizing Self-Care

Anxiety and depression can often stem from neglecting oneself. By emphasizing self-care, couples can ensure they are at their best mentally, emotionally, and physically. This holistic well-being directly contributes to the strength and health of the relationship.

How Therapy Can Benefit Your Relationship

Embarking on the journey of a relationship is much like playing a beautiful piece of music. Over time, even the most harmonious of symphonies might hit a few off-key notes. But the good news? Just as an instrument benefits from the careful touch of a tuner, relationships too can be revitalized and refined through therapy.

Rediscovering Lost Connections

Life's hustle and bustle often push us in different directions, causing that once unbreakable bond to fray at the edges. Therapy offers couples a safe space to retrace their steps, finding those once cherished connections and reigniting the spark that brought them together.

Bridging Gaps with Communication

Misunderstandings can cause minor rifts to widen over time. A therapist, acting as a neutral mediator, facilitates open conversations, ensuring that both parties feel heard, valued, and understood.

Building Emotional Resilience

Therapy equips couples with tools and strategies to strengthen their emotional resilience, allowing them to face challenges head-on and grow from them.

Setting Boundaries and Expectations

Every individual brings their own set of values, beliefs, and expectations into a relationship. Therapy helps in clearly defining these aspects, ensuring both partners are on the same page and minimizing potential conflicts.

Deepening Intimacy and Trust

At its core, trust is the bedrock of any thriving relationship. By addressing past hurts and fostering a culture of open communication, therapy aids in deepening the roots of trust and intimacy between partners.

FAQs about Couples Counselling

1. How often should we attend sessions? 

   - Initially, it's beneficial to attend weekly. As progress is made, sessions can be spaced out.

2. Will our sessions be confidential? 

   - Absolutely! Confidentiality is the cornerstone of therapy.

3. How does Cognitive Behavioural Therapy help in couples counselling? 

   - CBT focuses on understanding patterns, behaviours, and thoughts, providing tools to bring about positive change.

4. What if only one partner is willing to attend? 

   - Individual sessions can be beneficial too. It's about taking that first step.

Pricing

60 Minute Couples Session………………..……………..$160

Reports, letter writing, document review

*Billed at $25 / 15min

Payment is due at the end of each session unless other arrangements have been made in advance. Please be aware that 24 hours is required to change or cancel a scheduled appointment without being charged. Cancellation fee is 50% of session charge.

Insurance Covereage

• MSP does not cover clinical counselling, however most extended health plans do cover clinical counselling with a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) for up to a certain amount.

• Please check with your insurance provider for coverage and reimbursement.