Marriage and/or Relationship Issues, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Marriage and/or Relationship Issues, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

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.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is an anxiety disorder that usually starts within the three months of a traumatic incident. It has been reported that in rare cases, PTSD symptoms may only occur after a number of years.

Three groups of symptoms are present in people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Increased anxiety / emotional arousal includes anger or irritability, overwhelming shame or guilt, sleeplessness and self-destructive behaviour. The second group of symptoms, known as intrusive memories, causes flashbacks to the traumatic event and upsetting dreams. The third group of symptoms that a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder patient may experience, includes emotional numbing or avoidance. This group of symptoms includes memory problems, poor concentration, feeling emotionally numb, a sense of hopelessness, and an avoidance of activities that the person used to find enjoyable.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms may be present for a while, disappear and then return again. General stress may increase the symptoms, as can reminders of the traumatic incident.

Therapists who address  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder generally use one, or a combination of trauma therapies to treat it. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is commonly used and can help a person to change their reactions to traumatic memories.

Exposure therapy can help a person reduce the amount of fear related to the feelings and thoughts associated with past traumatic events. Cognitive therapy helps a person to change the way he or she thinks about the event and the aftermath of a traumatic incident. It will help a person to identify thoughts that cause fear and anger, and learn ways to replace those thoughts with less stressful and more empowering thoughts.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and related issues you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Relaxation Therapy

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..

Relaxation Therapy, used therapeutically, relieves stress, manage symptoms of anxiety and improve sleep. Applied correctly and practiced frequently, relaxation therapy can improve a person's general well being.

The waking mind is constantly active, with thoughts swirling through it at an alarming rate. The mind remains active during sleep as well, and that is why people often wake up feeling tired. Restful sleep is needed for the mind to be relaxed and for the body to be healthy.

Relaxation therapy quiets the mind, allowing thoughts to flow smoothly, at a level rhythm that induces relaxation. A well-rested mind is rejuvenated, even while at sleep. Rest and relaxation improves overall health, boosts the immune system and helps the body to fight stress and anxiety to improve a person's quality of life.

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

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

Rosanne Johnson

M.A., RCC
  As a counsellor, Rosanne offers therapy to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Greater Vancouver and Burnaby. She understands how important it is for these populations to have a... Read more

Melanie Johannson

M.S.W., RCC
I am a Registered Social Worker and a Registered Clinical Counsellor.  I have a Master's degree in Social Work.  I offer virtual and in person sessions in my Burnaby location. I have been a therapist... Read more

Edie Reiman

M.S.W., RSW
*****Edie Reiman MSW, RSW is a Psychotherapist, Life Coach and Presenter. Private Practice located in South Surrey/White Rock, BC.  Video and Tele-Counselling/Coaching with clients in Vancouver,... Read more

Paula Bude

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
Paula Bude (MEd., C.C.C., R.C.C., C.Hyp.) is asking you to consider: "what if this imperfect moment is the gateway into everything I want?".  Therapy with Paula is an invitation to deepen... Read more

Megan Hughes

M.A., Registered Psychology Assistant
*Now offering video and phone sessions.* *My practice is currently accepting new clients, to book please email/call: info@stillwatercounselling.com / 604-734-2779.* Megan Hughes has been counselling in... Read more

Azula Houghton

M.Ed., R.Psych
    • In-Person Sessions
Azula holds her Masters in Counselling Psychology and is a Registered Psychologist  with over 20 years experience in private practice. She has also worked as a clinician with Mental Health Services for 16 years... Read more

Lisa McLellan

M.A., RCC
If you are looking for a practically based down-to-earth counsellor with over 30 years of experience in helping others,  you have arrived at the right place. Making the decision to enter into counselling ... 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

Michael Boyle

M.S.W., RSW
I am a graduate of the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary. I am a Registered Social Worker with the British Columbia College of Social Workers. My counselling experience is in the area of... Read more

Carole Gaato

Ph.D., R.Psych
With more than 20 years experience as a psychotherapist, I sometimes lose touch with just how daunting the task of finding your "right" therapist can be. Just so you know, as registered psychologists and... Read more

Krista Blatchford

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Krista (she/her) has many years experience working with children (6+), adolescents, adults, parents and families. Before completing her Masters in Counselling Psychology and becoming a therapist, she was a youth worker... Read more