Expert Couples Counselling Services in Canada

Taking the First Step Together

Starting couples counselling feels big. It is big. But you're not walking into this alone.

Your first step begins with a simple conversation. A free 15-minute consultation where you both can meet me, ask questions, and see if we're a good fit. No pressure. No commitment. Just connection.

What to Expect During Your Initial Contact

When you reach out, we'll schedule that consultation call together. This brief conversation helps us understand what brought you here and what you're hoping to find. Some couples know exactly what they want to work on. Others just know something needs to change. Both are perfectly okay.

During our consultation, I'll explain how couples counselling works and answer any questions you have. We'll discuss practical details like scheduling, session formats, and what your first full session will look like. Most importantly, you'll get a sense of whether you feel comfortable moving forward.

Your Options for Getting Started

You can connect with me in whatever way feels most comfortable:

• Email: [email protected] - Perfect for detailed questions or if you prefer writing
• Phone: Call directly to schedule your consultation
• Online booking: Use our secure booking system to choose a time that works for both of you

All our sessions can happen in person at our Nanaimo location, online, or by phone. Whatever works best for your relationship and your lives.

Common Questions About Getting Started

Preparing for Your Consultation

You don't need to prepare extensively. Just come as you are. However, it might help to think about what you're hoping to gain from counselling. Are you looking to improve communication? Work through a specific challenge? Strengthen your connection? Or maybe you're not entirely sure yet - that's okay too.

If you have insurance coverage through your extended health benefits, you might want to check your counselling coverage details. We offer direct billing with many providers including Pacific Blue Cross, Green Shield Canada, and others.

Moving Forward Together

After our consultation, if you decide to move forward, we'll schedule your first full session. This intake session lasts about 50 minutes and gives us time to understand your relationship's unique story, strengths, and challenges.

Remember, reaching out takes courage. You're already showing commitment to your relationship by considering this step. Whether you're facing a crisis, wanting to strengthen what you have, or somewhere in between, you deserve support.

Ready to begin? Send us an email or use our online booking system to schedule your free consultation. We're here when you're ready to take this important step together.

Step 2: Assessment & Goal Setting

Your journey continues with a comprehensive assessment. This step creates the foundation for everything that follows.

We listen deeply. We explore your relationship patterns, communication styles, and the unique challenges you face as a couple. Together, we'll identify your strengths and the areas where growth can flourish. This isn't about judgment or finding fault—it's about understanding your story and creating a roadmap for positive change.

What Happens During Your Assessment

Your assessment session typically lasts 50 minutes and can take place in person at our Nanaimo clinic, online, or by phone. We begin by exploring your relationship history, current concerns, and individual backgrounds that shape your partnership.

You'll complete some brief questionnaires that help us understand your emotional well-being. These might include simple scales that measure stress levels, relationship satisfaction, or communication patterns. Think of them as conversation starters rather than tests. There are no right or wrong answers—only your authentic experience.

We also use culturally sensitive approaches that honour your unique background and values. Whether you're from Indigenous communities, newcomers to Canada, or have specific cultural considerations, we ensure our assessment reflects your lived experience.

Collaborative Goal Setting

Goals emerge naturally from our conversation. We don't impose a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we work together to identify what matters most to you as a couple.

Maybe you want to communicate without escalating into arguments. Perhaps you're seeking to rebuild trust after a difficult period. Or you might be looking to deepen your emotional connection and intimacy. Whatever your hopes, we'll shape them into clear, achievable objectives that guide our work together.

This process is entirely collaborative. You're the experts on your relationship—we're here to provide tools, insights, and support as you work toward the changes you want to see.

What to Bring and How to Prepare

Understanding Our Assessment Tools

We use evidence-based questionnaires designed specifically for relationship counselling. These tools help us understand patterns in your communication, emotional connection, and conflict resolution styles.

You might complete brief surveys about depression or anxiety symptoms, as individual mental health significantly impacts relationship dynamics. We also use relationship satisfaction scales and communication assessment tools that reveal how you and your partner interact during both calm and stressful moments.

Everything we use is research-backed and widely accepted across British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, where we're licensed to practice. These aren't invasive psychological tests—they're gentle instruments that help us understand your experience more completely.

Common Concerns About Assessment

"Will you judge our relationship?"Absolutely not. Our role is to understand, support, and guide—never to judge. Every couple faces challenges, and seeking help demonstrates courage and commitment to your relationship.

"What if we disagree about our goals?"Differing perspectives are normal and valuable. We'll help you find common ground while respecting each partner's individual needs and concerns.

"How long does the assessment take?"The formal assessment happens during your first full session, but understanding your relationship is an ongoing process. We continue learning about your dynamics throughout our work together.

"Will our information be kept confidential?"Yes, with very limited exceptions required by law. We follow strict confidentiality guidelines, and your privacy is paramount to our practice.

Moving Forward Together

By the end of your assessment, you'll have a clear understanding of our therapeutic approach and how it applies to your specific situation. We'll discuss session frequency, preferred formats, and any immediate strategies you can begin using right away.

This foundation sets the stage for meaningful change. You'll leave feeling heard, understood, and hopeful about the journey ahead. Your relationship has brought you this far—now let's help it flourish in ways you never thought possible.

Step 3: Ongoing Therapy Sessions

Your healing journey unfolds here. Each session builds upon the last, creating momentum toward your relationship goals. Together, we'll navigate challenges and celebrate breakthroughs as they emerge.

What Your Sessions Look Like

Every session follows a gentle rhythm designed around your needs. We begin with connection. How are you feeling today? What's shifted since we last met? This check-in grounds us both and helps me understand where you are emotionally.

The heart of our work happens next. Here, we dive deep. We might explore communication patterns that aren't serving your relationship. Practice new ways of expressing needs and boundaries. Work through conflicts using proven techniques that strengthen rather than strain your bond.

Some days we'll focus on individual healing within the relationship context. Other sessions might centre on building intimacy and trust. Each conversation is tailored to what you and your partner need most in that moment.

We close each session with integration. What insights emerged today? How will you carry this work forward? This wrap-up ensures you leave feeling grounded and purposeful.

Therapeutic Techniques We Use

Our approach draws from multiple evidence-based methods:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: We identify thought patterns that create relationship friction and develop healthier ways of thinking about your partner and yourself
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy: Learn skills for managing intense emotions and improving communication during difficult conversations
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: Practice staying present during conflicts and developing awareness of your emotional responses
• Somatic Therapy: Explore how your body holds relationship stress and learn techniques to release tension and trauma
• Art Therapy: Express feelings that words cannot capture through creative activities that deepen understanding

Between-Session Practice

Growth happens outside our office too. Your homework assignments are carefully chosen to reinforce what we discover together. These aren't busy work. They're stepping stones toward lasting change.

You might practice daily gratitude exercises focused on your partner's positive qualities. Keep a communication journal tracking successful conversations and challenging moments. Try mindfulness exercises that help you pause before reacting during disagreements.

Some weeks, we'll assign relationship-building activities. Plan a weekly connection ritual. Practice active listening techniques. Engage in stress-reducing activities together like nature walks or creative projects.

Individual self-care remains crucial too. You'll develop personal practices that support your emotional well-being, which strengthens what you bring to your relationship.

Tracking Your Progress

We measure growth in multiple ways. Regular check-ins help us assess how you're feeling about your relationship satisfaction and individual well-being. We use simple questionnaires that track communication improvements, conflict resolution skills, and emotional connection levels.

More importantly, we pay attention to the subtle shifts. How do arguments feel different now? Are you expressing needs more clearly? Do you feel heard by your partner? These qualitative changes often matter most.

Every few sessions, we'll review your goals together. What's working well? Where do you want to focus next? This collaborative approach ensures our work stays relevant to your evolving needs.

Support Between Sessions

You're not alone between our meetings. While I maintain professional boundaries around after-hours contact, we establish clear protocols for challenging moments. You'll receive resources for crisis situations and know exactly when and how to reach emergency support if needed.

Many clients find comfort in knowing they can bring any struggles from the week into our next session. No challenge is too small or too overwhelming to discuss. This safety net helps you feel supported as you practice new skills in real-world situations.

Session Options

Your healing happens at your pace. Some couples see shifts within weeks. Others need months to rebuild trust and communication patterns. There's no rush, no pressure, no timeline except the one that feels right for your relationship.

Available throughout British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan through secure online sessions or in-person at our Nanaimo location, your therapy continues wherever life takes you. Consistency in your healing journey matters more than location.

Step 4: Celebrating Progress & Planning Your Path Forward

You've reached a significant milestone. This moment deserves recognition. Your dedication to growth has brought you here, and the progress you've made together as a couple is something to celebrate.

Step 4 focuses on evaluating your journey, recognizing achievements, and creating a sustainable plan for continued relationship wellness. We'll assess how far you've come, identify the tools that work best for you both, and establish strategies to maintain the positive changes you've built together.

Recognizing Your Growth

Progress in couples counselling isn't always linear. Some days feel like breakthroughs. Others might feel challenging. But growth happens in both moments, and we'll take time to acknowledge the meaningful changes you've experienced.

Together, we'll review your original goals and explore how your relationship has evolved. You might notice improved communication patterns, deeper emotional connection, or better conflict resolution skills. These achievements reflect your commitment to each other and the therapeutic process.

Measuring Your Success

We use several approaches to track your progress throughout counselling. Regular check-ins help us understand how you're feeling about your relationship satisfaction and individual well-being. Simple questionnaires about mood, anxiety levels, and relationship functioning provide valuable insights into your growth.

You'll also complete relationship assessment tools that measure communication effectiveness, intimacy levels, and overall partnership satisfaction. These measurements aren't about perfect scores. They're about understanding your unique journey and celebrating the positive changes you've created together.

Signs You're Ready for Completion

Readiness for completion varies for every couple. Some relationships need intensive support for several months. Others benefit from longer-term guidance spanning a year or more. The timeline depends on your unique circumstances, goals, and the complexity of issues you've addressed together.

You might be ready to complete regular sessions when you consistently use the tools you've learned. When conflicts arise, you handle them with the skills developed in counselling. You feel confident navigating challenges together, and both partners report feeling satisfied with the relationship's direction.

Other indicators include feeling emotionally connected, communicating effectively about difficult topics, and maintaining individual well-being while supporting each other's growth. You've likely developed a shared understanding of each other's needs and created sustainable patterns for ongoing relationship health.

Creating Your Maintenance Plan

Completing couples counselling doesn't mean your growth stops. It means you're equipped with tools to continue strengthening your relationship independently. We'll create a personalized maintenance plan that supports your ongoing success.

Your plan might include regular relationship check-ins, scheduled date nights focused on connection, or monthly goal-setting conversations. Some couples benefit from quarterly "relationship tune-ups" where they revisit communication techniques or address new challenges that arise.

• Weekly connection rituals that maintain emotional intimacy
• Monthly relationship meetings to discuss goals and concerns
• Quarterly reviews of your relationship vision and progress
• Annual planning sessions for shared dreams and aspirations
• Strategies for managing stress during life transitions
• Tools for maintaining individual well-being within the partnership

Ongoing Support Options

Your therapeutic relationship doesn't have to end completely. Many couples find value in periodic check-ins or booster sessions. Life brings unexpected challenges, and having professional support available can provide peace of mind.

We offer flexible follow-up options including monthly maintenance sessions, quarterly relationship reviews, or as-needed support during difficult periods. Some couples prefer to schedule sessions around major life transitions like career changes, moving, or family planning.

Individual counselling remains available if either partner wants to continue personal growth work. Sometimes addressing individual concerns enhances the relationship even further. We also provide referrals to specialized services if specific needs arise that fall outside our scope of practice.

Staying Connected to Your Growth

The skills you've developed extend far beyond your romantic relationship. Improved communication benefits friendships, family relationships, and professional interactions. Enhanced emotional regulation supports your overall mental health and life satisfaction.

Many couples report that counselling strengthened not just their partnership, but their individual confidence and resilience. These benefits continue growing long after formal sessions end, creating positive ripple effects throughout your lives.

Remember that seeking support shows strength, not weakness. You've invested in something precious: your relationship and individual well-being. This investment continues paying dividends as you apply what you've learned to future challenges and opportunities.

Celebrating Your Journey

Take a moment to appreciate how far you've come. The courage to begin counselling, the vulnerability to share difficult emotions, and the commitment to change all demonstrate remarkable strength. You've created something beautiful together.

Your relationship now has a stronger foundation. You understand each other more deeply. You've developed tools for navigating life's inevitable challenges. Most importantly, you've proven that growth is possible when two people commit to working together with intention and care.

This isn't an ending. It's a graduation into the next phase of your relationship journey, equipped with wisdom, tools, and confidence to continue building the partnership you both deserve.