Marriage and/or Relationship Issues Brief Therapy

Marriage and/or Relationship Issues

Entering into a relationship means merging your life with another person, understanding his or her flaws, quirks and beliefs. With marriage rates declining and divorce statistics set at 50%, it is clear that people are increasingly challenged by marriage and relationship issues, and many lack effective ways to address them. So how can we bridge the gap to understanding our partners better and enjoying romantic bliss?

Many factors affect the interpersonal relationship between two partners who are a couple and sometimes it's hard to see the cause of conflict or friction in a relationship. While some people find divorce to be the best or only option, other people speak to counsellors and psychologists  in a bid to try salvage the relationship.

Signs that indicate a need for couples counselling include poor communication in a relationship, affairs, living past one another, inability to resolve marriage of couples' issues, and acting out negative feelings. When divorce seems like the only option, or if a couple is staying together for the kids' sake, that's a sure sign that therapy is needed.

Therapists do not necessarily  believe that all marriages can be salvaged, but counselling can often help even some of the most challenged relationships.  Through talk therapy, the couple will discover again why they fell in love and what they can do to get back to that place in their marriage. They use a range of effective, proven methods to help couples in any situation to restore intimacy and move past the hurt and wounds to a safe and comfortable place.

The concrete tools used by marriage therapists provide guidance in a supportive and encouraging setting and empower clients to restructure their thoughts and emotions. It helps the couple to work with each other, instead of on one another, helping each individual to find the person he or she is at the core level and to build a happy union.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who works with  couples you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Brief Therapy, Marriage & Couples Counselling

Brief therapy focuses on a client's present and future, rather than his or her past and it builds solutions. Many brief therapists never explore their clients' past problems, but rather focus on the present with goals for creating a positive future.

Psychologists who offer brief therapy take a more pro-active approach to offer faster care for subjective and clinical conditions. This type of therapy creates natural resources and temporarily suspends disbelief to help the client consider a range of new viewpoints or perspectives. It provides a wider context for the client to view the present, and better understandings that can bring about spontaneous change.

Unlike other therapies that focus on the problem, brief therapy is solution-based. It removes the factors that sustain a problem and prevent change. Brief therapists understands that there are many approaches that, combined, can bring about ultimate success.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers brief therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Marriage & Couples Counselling offers a wide range of approaches that incorporate a variety of models to work in different situations. Some of the most common approaches in couples counselling are Imago therapy, emotionally focussed therapy, and Gottman approach.

One of the first undertakings of marriage & couples counselling is to set goals for the therapy. Establishing healthy communication within the relationship is one of the key components in any of the approaches make up their union, because this is what helps couples to better understand one another and the patterns that  Couples will be led to examine their communication styles and explore their attachment experiences. Healing past hurts and trauma is essential in building healthy future relationships.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Marriage & Couples Counselling, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Note: You may narrow your search by selecting more than one filter below.

Samantha Corrigan

M.A.Sc., RCC
    • Online booking
The best therapists are ones that have experienced many of the issues their clients come in with, and I would be no exception to that. Having overcome many struggles myself, and found ways to cope, I pass that knowledge... Read more

Olga Shchedrinskaya

M.Couns., RCC
    • Online booking
Having worked as a counsellor in a non-profit organization, private practice, and a mental health clinic, I bring more than 10 years of experience to my work with with individuals, couples, and families. My primary... Read more

Ishtar Beck

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
I believe that healing is possible. In the therapeutic space, I aim to provide a supportive space for you to grow as an individual and in your relationships. You will be attentively listened to. You will find... Read more

Khalil Nourani

Ph.D., RCC
Dr. Nourani is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors. He has more than two decades of experience in the field of mental health. He received his Ph.D. in Applied Developmental... Read more

Ruth Skutezky

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Is anxiety getting in the way of living your best life? Are you feeling disconnected from your partner, arguing more, or even having doubts about your future together? Are you a new parent, struggling to adjust to this... Read more

Tamara Knott

Ph.D., RCC
Tamara Knott is a Registered Clinical Counsellor in the VGH/Granville area of Vancouver. Welcome! You are taking a great step in looking for a therapist and asking for support when you need it. We all need a... Read more

Jim Browning

Ph.D., R.Psych
Dr. Browning has been a registered psychologist in the Vancouver area since 1980. He has worked extensively in the areas of mental health, family violence, addictions, men's issues, trauma recovery and employee... Read more

Iona Monk

M.A., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counselor who meets with couples and individuals in private practice in Vancouver. I have been working with couples for over twenty years in private practice. I am a graduate of both... Read more

Bianca Rucker

Ph.D., RMFT
    • Audio on profile
    • Article(s) on profile
Bianca Rucker uses a brief model of psychotherapy and/or clinical hypnosis to help individuals and couples who experience sexual or relationship difficulties. Dr. Rucker is a CAMFT Approved Supervisor and Mentor.... Read more

Jan Paris

M.A., RCC
I am a qualified Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience working in private practice and the voluntary sector.  I work with individuals, couples, groups and families. I... Read more

Mary Longworth

M.Sc., RCC
Mary Longworth is in private practice (Delta Counselling) in the South Delta, Tsawwassen, Ladner and New Westminster regions since receiving her M.Sc. in marital, family and child counselling in 1995. Mary is a... Read more

Shelley Hine

M.Couns., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor who blends perspectives of inclusiveness, feminism, social justice and trauma work into my counselling practice. I am trained in a variety of clinical methods and... Read more

Alyssa Morgan

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
Do you feel like you are having trouble moving past a specific event or feel like you are engaging in destructive thinking patterns or behaviors? Therapy is a safe and confidential place where you can share your... Read more

Pam Paquet

M.Ed., CCC
    • Blog on profile
Before I try to impress you with credentials, accomplishments and experience, I want to introduce myself on a personal level. I love change. I love helping people create their change. I am passionate about seeing people... Read more

Deena Chochinov

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
Deena is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a private practice in Vancouver since 2000. She works with individuals, couples and families and uses a variety of therapeutic approaches to help clients find the self-... Read more

Martin Phillips-Hing

Ph.D., R.Psych
The beginning is the most important part of the work. ~ Plato I am a Registered Psychologist (#1361) and have been in private practice since receiving my Ph.D. in 1998. I see individuals and couples in my... Read more

David Holmes

M.A., RCC
David provides Individual and Couples Counselling. He is an Adlerian Psychotherapist, Registered Clinical Counsellor, and a Canadian Certified Counsellor at Clear Counselling private practice in downtown Vancouver.... Read more

Mary Munro

M.A., RCC
I can help. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor practicing in Vic West, close to downtown.  Counselling can help you function better.  You may feel calmer and more effective, or find insights, meet... Read more

Johanna Abraham

M.S.W., RSW
I have a Masters Degree in Social Work and 25 years of professional experience helping individuals, couples and families from a range of backgrounds deal with a variety challenges. As well as providing counseling... Read more

Anne Siegenberg

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
*ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS* Journey with Anne to discover and appreciate your own unique self. With Anne as your counselor you will have the opportunity to identify and transform some of the internalized negative... Read more

Teesha Morgan

M.A., CCC
Dr. Teesha Morgan is a Psychotherapist, published author, adjunct professor, and co-founder of the Westland Academy of Clinical Sex Therapy and Westland Therapy Group. Dr Morgan specializes in Sex Therapy and Couples... Read more

Sara Place

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
It is my honour to deeply listen and support your personal journey through whatever life circumstance brings you to counselling.  We can work through difficult life circumstances, relationship challenges (including... Read more

Dennis Dion

M.A., RCC
Often in the beginning, people share being tired of struggling with one or more of the following: depression anxiety addiction (substances, gambling, pornography) disordered eating or self-harm "... Read more
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
With over a decade of experience as a clinical counsellor, I am dedicated to helping clients navigate life’s challenges and transitions. My commitment lies in creating a secure, non-judgmental, and confidential... Read more

Kayla Fleming

MC, RCC
Providing phone and video/virtual counselling to clients across British Columbia, I work with children, youth and adults, and support both individuals and couples. When you come for a session... Read more

Ruth Nyman

M.S.W., RSW
Ruth S. Nyman, MSW, RSW      Therapy and Counselling Services From time to time, serious problems come up in life; such as job-related stress, family and child issues, couple and marriage... Read more

Isabella Jiang

M.A., RCC
As a bilingual counsellor fluent in both English and Chinese, I offer a unique perspective that bridges Western and Chinese cultures to help clients discover their unique identities. My counselling approach is... Read more

Lida Izadi

M.A., RCC
  I am a registered clinical counsellor, an approved clinical supervisor, and an educator with extensive experience. My broad range of professional qualifications has enabled me to work with a range of mental... Read more

Geraldine Brooks

Ph.D., R.Psych
My counselling is holistic, informed by scientific advances in psychology and neurology as well as Transpersonal, Jungian (the theories of C.G. Jung) and Energy Psychologies. I address a wide variety of client concerns... Read more

Sarajoy David

Ph.D., R.Psych
    • Audio on profile
The focus of my service is the teaching of emotional self-care skills.  I draw upon leading edge therapies in facilitating each person's journey to self-awareness, healing and empowerment. This self-exploration... Read more