Marriage and/or Relationship Issues Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

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.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a psychological approach that deals with the way in which clients think about themselves, other people and the world. The outside world affects how we think and feel about ourselves and as a result, our behaviour. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help a person to change the way they think about thoughts and feelings, but it is not like other types of talk therapy.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy focuses on current issues and challenges that affect the client right now. It doesn't consider the past issues that caused distress, but rather looks for solutions that can improve the client's state of mind in the moment. Much of CBT involves looking at thought distortions that can affect mood and are affected by mood, and helps client examine and challenge distorted thinking patters.

CBT can help a range of problems, from OCD, PTSD, bulimia, stress, phobias and other issues that might seem overwhelming to the client, by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable chunks.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) has helped couples and family members to treat distressed relationships, depression and a range of other emotional difficulties. It is one of the most common treatments used in private counselling and psychologist practices, training centres and hospital clinics around the world.

The main goal of Emotionally focused therapy is to create a secure bond between romantic partners and to reorganize and expand critical emotional responses. It helps to improve communication between partners, which is more beneficial to the relationship. EFT is a practical therapy that has been used successfully in relationships and marriages for many years, due to the fact that it creates a spirit of respect and harmony.

Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy generally only lasts between six to twenty sessions and has been shown effective in 90% of relationships.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Note:  Some practitioners practice Emotion Focused Therapy rather than Emotionally Focused therapy.  You will want to confirm that it is indeed Emotionally Focused Therapy that the counsellor/psychologist practices.

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

David Brown

M.S.W., RCSW
Most of us want to make changes and improvements in our life, yet we tend to rely on the same old approaches (or habits) despite our best intentions. My approach to counselling is to support people to experiment with... Read more

Megan Jespersen

M.Couns., RCC
I go by either Megan or mj and I use she/her pronouns.  I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor and the Founding Director of The Grounding Stone, a queer-owned and run online counselling community that offers... Read more

Peter Vaughan

M.A., RCC
Certified Gottman Method Therapist, Peter frequently addresses couples communication during conflict, restoring fidelity and commitment, or building intimacy and sexuality. Other common issues: ongoing incompatibilities... Read more

Ashley Shankar

M.S.W., RCSW
I’m a cis South Asian woman. My Masters in Social Work from the University of British Columbia has granted me the opportunity to work extensively in diverse community mental health settings. I work with... Read more

Kathleen Beaton

M.Couns., RCC
Sometimes dealing with life’s difficulties can leave you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, alone, or unable to cope. You may notice patterns in your life that continuously leave you stranded in the same stuck places,... Read more

Tara Azimi

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with over 12 years of experience. I’m also completing a PhD where I collaborate on research projects on diabetes, domestic abuse... Read more

Parinaz Falsafi

M.Sc., RCC
    • Online booking
I have additional training (Sue Johnson, EFT externship, 2018) and experience working with couples to help them resolve marital and relationship issues. I help families learn ways to communicate better, set firm... Read more

Sophia Kopelow

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
The world has changed in the past few years, and so have you. If you're yearning to reconnect with your inner truth, feel more in tune with and loving towards your body, overcome relationship challenges, and heal... Read more

Kirsten Reid

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Would you like help to find some relief and an overall sense of lightness? Whether you believe your life challenges to be major or minor ones, including a specific event or a reoccurring problem pattern that you... Read more

Janice Bell

M.S.W., RCC
Janice has had a private practice for 25 years, twenty of those in Nanaimo.Her office location provides comfort, confidentiality and convenience. Herschedule is structured to meet the needs of clients.Janice... Read more

Yaari Dyer

Ph.D., R.Psych
    • In-Person Sessions
Hello! I am a Registered Psychologist (#2094) and see individual clients and couples in my peaceful Kitsilano office.  I assist adults at every life stage who are grappling with issues... Read more

Shereen Khan

Ph.D., RCC
    • Online booking
* Accepting new clients both in person and online.* As a therapist, I invite curiosity, mindful awareness, compassion, and some humour. We all struggle at times and make mistakes, and I truly believe in the... Read more

Sophia Van Vuuren

M.A., R.Psych
Sophia holds a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology and is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Psychologists in British Columbia, #1659. She has worked in the mental health field as a Clinical Psychologist... Read more

Roya Vojdani

M.A., RCC
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
Life is a journey full of twists and turns, but you don't have to face it all alone. Depression, anxiety, trauma and other emotional struggles take away from the joys of everyday life and might leave you feeling... Read more

Lisa Crossfield

M.Ed., RCC
I believe everyone has the ability to restore hope, strength, balance, joy, clarity, and connection to live a meaningful life. At certain points we may need help to recognize our strengths, to accept our... Read more

Pam Vickram

M.S.W., RSW
If you are struggling with mental health, family issues, trauma, self-esteem or simply wanting to engage in the therapeutic process, I look forward to working with you. I support individuals and couples to navigate a... Read more

JY Zhang

M.A., RMFT
    • Online booking
“There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.” -- Laurell K. Hamilton - JY holds a warm, safe, and accepting space for who you are and what... Read more

Celine Brouillette

Ed.D., R.Psych
Thank you for visiting my website. As a registered psychologist, I’ve been practicing in Vancouver and North Vancouver for over 20 years, providing psychotherapy and psycho-educational assessments. I work with... Read more

Daphne Gelbart

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
Daphne Gelbart, MA, RCC, is a Vancouver registered clinical counsellor (Registration Number 3290), a graduate of the University of British Columbia (UBC) Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology and... Read more

Michelle Coulombe

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
In-Person, Video and telephone counselling available.  I have a BA in Psychology, as well as an MA in Counselling Psychology (family specialization) from UBC. I have been a Certified Canadian... Read more

Joy Schellenberg

M.A., RCC
Are you tired of feeling stuck or dissatisfied with how your life is going?  Maybe you’ve been struggling for awhile. You’re fed up or overwhelmed and you don’t know where to turn. It... Read more

Kristen Holbrook

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Are you wondering if counselling is right for you? There are many reasons why people seek counselling such as to further self-exploration, to break old patterns keeping you from reaching your ... Read more

Elaine Zbitniff

M.A., RCC
Elaine is a registered clinical counsellor and has former experience as a registered nurse in the specialties burns and plastic surgery unit and in a hospice. Her knowledge as a nurse has been informative to... Read more

Eileen Peterson

M.S.W., RCSW
    • Online booking
  NOTE: To provide support during COVID-19 precautions,  sessions may now be in person or virtual: video or by phone. Please call or email to book your appointment. Taking new clients. I'm a... Read more

Jenny Hsu

M.C., RCC
    • Online booking
Are you feeling disconnected from those around you? You might find yourself stuck in the same arguments or patterns with your partner.  Or you may be struggling to find a sense of belonging in your family,... Read more

Xavier Williams

MCP, CCC
I take an existential-phenomenological view when working with clients—which means that I seek to be open to whatever issues you bring to our sessions, without judgement or applying my interpretation. Together we... Read more

Amber Louie

M.Sc., RCC
As an anti-oppression psychotherapist, I value your experiences based on culture, race, indigeneity, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexuality, age, disability, and spirituality. I often work with people who are... 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

Lisa Moore

M.A., RCC
Lisa Moore, ma MA Counselling Psychology, RCC, CCC Clinical Counsellor (RCC) & Certified Play Therapy Supervisor Languages: English & French It’s my goal to help people heal and grow through... Read more

Gloria Lee

Psy.D., R.Psych
Thank you for visiting my website. It takes a lot of courage to seek help and ask for what we need. There are lots of counselling options out there and it's hard to know where to start. I believe you are at the... Read more