Couples Therapy in Calgary

Overview About Couples therapy

Welcome to Your Counselling – a place to answer all your questions about couples therapy in Calgary, marriage counselling, and other relationship services that will help you and your partner build a strong and far more fulfilling bond together. Whether you’re feeling stuck with communication issues, dealing with the fallout of infidelity, or you simply want to gain the tools needed to have a truly intimate partnership, our experienced therapists are here to help. With us as your guide, you’ll go on a transformative journey towards lasting harmony and mutual growth.

1) enhancing communication

In each couples therapy session, our counsellors provide a safe, neutral space where you and your partner can learn effective communication skills and become better at understanding what the other is trying to say. Through guided exercises and open dialogue, you will develop healthier ways of expressing your needs, concerns, and emotions, fostering deeper connections and less friction when having discussions.

2) resolving conflict

No matter how good your relationship is, you will inevitably have conflicts now and then. What most people struggle with is how to resolve those disputes without becoming angry or resentful. Couples counselling helps you navigate conflict and find constructive ways to resolve differences with productive discussions, and teaches you how to approach disagreements with empathy, active listening, and collaborative problem-solving techniques. This leads to more peaceful and satisfying resolutions.

3) rebuilding trust

If trust has been compromised by you or your partner – through infidelity, secrecy, or other negative behaviours – relationship counselling can provide a path to healing and rebuilding trust. If you genuinely wish to heal the wounds, our non-judgmental therapists offer guidance and support to help you and your partner work through issues of betrayal and forgiveness, and assist you in rebuilding a strong foundation of trust.

4) strengthening intimacy

Are you feeling like you’ve left the “honeymoon period” behind long ago? You’re not along – many couples struggle to keep true intimacy burning as the years go on. Couples therapy helps reignite and deepen emotional and physical intimacy within your relationship, showing you new ways to connect with each other and truly become an equal partnership. With our expert counsellors to talk you through it, you’ll learn to explore and express your needs, desires, and vulnerabilities.

5) nurturing growth

Couples therapy is not only about resolving immediate issues. It also looks to the future and paves the way for more personal and mutual growth. Therapists for couples provide tools and insights that empower you and your partner to get excited about the future, and that shared evolution brings about long-term relationship satisfaction and growth.

Still want more information? You can find deeper explanations in our blog about the benefits of couples counselling.

should we go to couples therapy?

In reality, this is a question that only you know the answer to. We believe that almost all couples can benefit from talking through their issues and enhancing their communication…but if you don’t believe it, too, then it will be hard to see the results you want.

Unfortunately, these kinds of therapy in Calgary – or in any place, for that matter – are not magic wands that can fix every problem. Healing broken trust, learning to communicate, and being truly bare and honest with one another takes effort, time, and consistency. With that said, if you feel like your relationship could be better (even if you can’t quite place why), it could be worth reaching out to a professional therapist to see what couples counselling can offer you.

1) initial assessment

Our therapists begin with an initial assessment, giving us a holistic understanding of your relationship’s dynamics, challenges, and goals. This assessment helps us tailor our approach and interventions to address your specific needs and aspirations.

2) goal setting

Once we have the foundation to work from, we establish clear goals for your therapy journey and outline the methods we’ll use to get there. Whether you’re seeking to improve communication, resolve conflicts, or enhance intimacy and trust, we can define concrete objectives that guide our sessions and measure progress.

3) Therapeutic approaches

Like we said above, every couple is different. So, our therapists draw on a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, specifically designed for couples therapy and marital counselling. These may include Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method Couples Therapy, or Imago Relationship Therapy. There is no “right” approach or even one that’s “better” than the others – the most suitable one is that which resonates with you and allows you to consistently achieve your goals.

4) regular sessions

We offer flexible scheduling options and even couples therapy online sessions, generally once per week or every two weeks. Exact timing is based on your availability and needs. This consistency is key in any therapy, and allows you to track progress and ensure you’re staying on the right track.

5) relationship dynamics

Our therapists focus on understanding the dynamics within your relationship, including communication patterns, attachment styles, and underlying emotions. In turn, this helps to identify and transform negative patterns, leading to healthier interactions and a stronger bond between you and your partner.

6) skill-building exercises

Couples therapy in Calgary often involves practical exercises and homework assignments, tailored to your specific challenges and goals. These exercises provide opportunities for you and your partner to recall, develop, and practice the new skills and behaviours you’ve learned outside the sessions, strengthening the positive changes made during our meetings.

7) conflict resolution strategies

This is one of the most important areas of development for any couple in therapy. We’ll provide guidance on effective conflict resolution strategies and techniques, prioritizing communication with empathy, active listening, and genuine understanding that creates a more supportive environment at home and beyond.

8) ongoing support

Our therapists offer ongoing support and guidance throughout your therapeutic journey, even if there are unexpected obstacles. We are committed to helping you and your partner navigate any challenges and continue growing together. Ultimately, we want to give you everything you’ll need to build and maintain a healthy and fulfilling life-long relationship.

why couples get relationship therapy in calgary

There is no single reason that a couple should come in for therapy. Some of the most common reasons include:

a lack of connection or communication

Couples often seek therapy when they experience a lack of connection or communication within their relationship. This may manifest as feeling emotionally distant, having frequent misunderstandings or arguments, or struggling to express needs and desires effectively. Couples therapy in Calgary offers a supportive environment for partners to talk things through, practice active listening, and learn how to sustainably strengthen a relationship.

infidelity and lack of intimacy

Infidelity, or even a general lack of intimacy without an overtly unfaithful act, can deeply impact a relationship, leading couples to seek therapy for guidance and healing of the difficult and complex emotions involved. Couples counselling offers a space for partners to explore the underlying issues that caused the problems in the first place, giving tools to process them and work towards a future of rebuilt trust and intimacy.

past trauma

Past trauma can leave painful scars on a couple’s relationship, often affecting their emotional well-being and ability to connect with each other. Couples may want therapy to address individual and shared trauma experiences that influence their relationship dynamics, and may seek therapists trained in trauma-informed approaches so that healing can take place.

difficulties with mental health issues

Couples facing mental health challenges, such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse, often turn to therapy to address the impact they can have on a relationship. In particular, mental health struggles can strain communication and emotions, leading to conflicts with no clear resolution. The right counsellor can help with coping strategies and support, allowing both partners to thrive and grow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: is there free couples counselling in calgary?

Though not free, we do have a sliding scale rate that ensures we can offer our services affordably to couples in the community.  Your health benefits may also cover sessions up to a certain amount and there are some providers we are able to bill directly.  See more on our Contact page.

Q: How long does couples therapy in calgary typically last?

The duration can vary, depending on the complexity of the issues and the goals you set.  It may only be a few meetings, or it may extend over a year or more of regular sessions.  Our therapists work with you to develop a treatment plan that works for your purposes.

Q: what if my partner is hesitant to attend couples therapy?

It’s not uncommon for one partner to be hesitant about counselling of this nature.  We encourage open and honest communication with your partner about the potential benefits of this therapy.  It may be helpful to emphasize that therapy is a collaborative process aimed at improving the relationship as a whole, rather than assigning blame or focusing solely on one individual.

Q: can couples therapy help even if we are not married?

Absolutely!  This therapy is beneficial for all couples, regardless of their marital status.  Whether you’re dating, engaged, in a long-term committed relationship, or married, couples therapy provides valuable tools and insights to enhance your connection, improve communication, and navigate challenges.

Q: what if we have tried couples therapy before and it didn’t work?

Each therapy experience is unique, and a pervious approach that may not have worked doesn’t mean that a future one will not.  There’s more than one way to work through relationship issues, and our team is ready to help you pursue one that’s better for you.