Marriage and/or Relationship Issues Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)

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.

Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method Couples Therapy

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.

The Gottman Method Couples Therapy is ideal for couples who wish to develop a deeper empathy, awareness and understanding within their relationships. These are some of the important aspects that lead to interpersonal growth and deeper intimacy.

By using scientifically proven techniques and exercises, the Gottman Method Couples Therapy helps to break down the walls that prevent couples from communicating and bonding effectively. This method has proven to be highly effective in providing lasting results within relationship dynamics.

The Gottman Method Couples Therapy helps to channel effective verbal communication and to remove barriers. As a result, clients can expect increased intimacy, empathy, understanding, affection and respect.

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

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

    • Online booking
I am a relationship and individual counsellor who focuses on supporting my clients in becoming more connected to eachother and to themselves.  Have you noticed that worrying is negatively impacting your life or... 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

Elisa-Maria Chong

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
Our lives each contain moments of great joy and sorrow, pain and pleasure, opportunity, and obstacle. At the center of these experiences is our innate search for connection. We need relationships, they are precious and... Read more

Deema Hannoud

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association for Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and have a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Masters of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology. Approach and... Read more
Together we can work through what is holding you back from having the life you hope for. I believe this is worth doing at any age, and any stage of life or relationship. It is never too late to find out who you... Read more

Peter M Williamson PhD

Ph.D., R.Psych
Dr. Peter Williamson is one of only 7 officially Certified Gottman Method Couples Therapists in the province of B.C. (at time of this writing - 9/2017). Although extensively trained and with 25+ years of expertise... 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

Lorill Drummund

M.Ed., RCC
    • In-Person Sessions
    • Article(s) on profile
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (#0921) working in BC since 1994 as a therapist, group facilitator, and instructor. My primary focus is working with couples to break through their ... 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

Vijay Mann

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
People are unique individuals with unique experiences. We all bring distinct histories and concerns to therapy. I respect your story and your concerns, and will provide support in a way that will work for you. ... Read more

Fernanda Souza

Ph.D. (cand), RCC
Challenging events? Life changes? Overwhelmed? Stressed? Needing balance?  Struggling with anxiety, relationships, depression, grief, decisions, performance?  Looking forward to getting to where you want to be... Read more

Mary Wilkerson

MCP, RCC
Step into a nurturing space for your transformative journey. As someone who's lived the roles of wife, mother, and teacher, I deeply understand life's challenges. My focus is on supporting individuals through... Read more

Aleesa Sutton

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
Hi, I’m Aleesa. I provide counselling for individuals and couples who want to understand themselves better and improve their relationships. If you’re unhappy with your life; unsure about where you’re... 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

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

Ksenia Belova

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I work with people desiring stronger, deeper and more fulfilling relationships with themselves, and with other people. If you're struggling to feel well and to live the life you want, you may feel cut off from your... Read more

Adele Berry

MC, RCC
    • Online booking
I believe that sometimes we all need a little help to tangle with life’s dilemmas. My role as a therapist is to walk alongside clients and help in navigating the pathway to change and work towards goals in a safe... Read more

Ian Bond

M.A., RCC
Ian has over 25 years of education, training, and experience in counselling and therapy.  He works together with clients to help them explore relationships, thoughts, feelings, or behaviours, which... Read more

Lucia Pecnikova

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
Creating a safe space where you feel heard and seen is my priority and I consider my work a privilege as we create a secure therapeutic relationship to support your healing process and inner exploration. I have a master... Read more

John Taylor

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Relationships make the world go round; they can also make your world miserable when things aren't working. I am a trained couples counsellor with the tools and intuition to help you improve... Read more

Heather Gretton

Ph.D., R.Psych
Sorry, Dr. Gretton is currently not accepting new clients. My virtual office is open with Telepsychology/Video/Online Options during COVID-19.  Please contact me for more information about my general... Read more

Tosh Gordey

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
My name is Tosh, and I am a queer therapist who finds my passion in working with individuals and couples on their healing journeys.  Whether you are experiencing relationship challenges or changes, anxiety,... Read more

Desiree Blume

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I am a registered clinical counsellor who has worked therapeutically with children, adults, couples and families for over a decade.  I will offer you a safe and caring environment where you can identify and... Read more
    • Online booking
Tiffani works with Individuals and Couples (+18).   Tiffani believes that clients are their own experts, and only need guidance and support to discover what lies beneath their conscious awareness. Therapy... Read more

Sharon Southey

M.A., RCC
Sharon Southey is a skilled professional with a nursing background, who has been counselling people since 1992. She likes to work with individuals who are teenage or adult, families of all types and couples,... Read more

Behnaz Khatam

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor and a Canadian Certified Counsellor. I offer virtual counselling(video and telephone) to both youth and adults, working with individuals and couples. I help clients with... Read more

Jeff Ross

M.A., RCC
 Feel good about the possibilities that life has to offer. Are you seeing life clearly? Do you tell your family and friends “I’m fine” even though you know you are not? Do you feel... Read more

Rosalyn Best Clark

M.Couns., RCC
Rosalyn Best, MoC, RCC #8656. Ros Best is passionate about counselling because she has so often witnessed its transformative power. She offers couples counselling, and counselling for life transitions, trauma, cancer... Read more

Carolyn Heppner

M.Ed., RCC
    • In-Person Sessions
Couples Counselling and Individual Counselling for Trauma/EMDR, Anxiety and more Facing difficult times personally or in your relationship with your partner? I can help. I believe in providing practical tools... Read more

Natalie Hansen

M.A., RCC
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
Walking with you through life's challenges Natalie is a caring and competent Individual and Couples Therapist in Uptown New Westminster. With over 17 years of counselling experience and a Master... Read more