Gender Identity Issues Marriage & Couples Counselling

Gender Identity Issues

Gender identity issues can make a person feel that nature has played a cruel trick, leaving them living in a body and role that is contrary to what they feel inside. However, as society becomes more accepting of gay and lesbian individuals it is also becoming much easier for people to admit that they are transgender than ever before. However, therapy can help people with gender dysphoria to cope with gender identity issues.

Most people with gender dysphoria prefer the term transgender as they deal with the social expectations of living a life that is authentic to their own emotions while conforming to their birth gender.

Whether you are confused about the possibility that you might be transgender, or whether you have accepted the reality, it is a good idea to speak to a therapist. If you are considering gender reassignment surgery, therapy will help you prepare for the psychological impact of the decision.

Living in your gender of choice will take a lot of courage, as well as some experimentation. You will have to learn how to find a congruent appearance, and explore different ways for you to present your body so that it relates to your true gender.

Counselling from a therapist trained in gender identity issues will provide a nurturing and non-judgmental environment for you to explore your emotions, fears and feelings regarding what is happening for you.  Individual and group therapies are common for gender dysphoric patients, while family therapy can help foster better communication, and understanding. Family therapy can help deal with conflicts that can arise from gender dysphoria.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers gender identity counselling to address your gender dysphoria issues you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Marriage & Couples Counselling, Relaxation Therapy, EMDR, Focusing

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..

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..

EMDR, also known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy uses a range of processes to address the full clinical situation. Dual stimulation is one of the key elements and the therapist will use tools such as bilateral eye movements, taps or tones.

Reprocessing involves the client momentarily attending to triggers, past memories or anticipated future events, all the while focusing on the supplied external stimulus. Normally, the client will experience memory changes, new associations and insights. EMDR has been found to be incredibly useful for processing past and present trauma that can continue to impact an individual in many ways.

There are eight phases to EMDR treatment and the therapist will devise a treatment plan during the first phase, and equip the client with the necessary coping skills in the second phase. Phases 3-6 cover the actual EMDR treatment, described above. Phase 7 is about closure, while phase eight is all about re-evaluation of the process.

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

Focusing is all about body sense - the structural component of a human being. It teaches the client to become fully aware of body and mind interactions, and the effects those collisions have on his or her life experience.

This fascinating therapy involves focusing on the body-mind relationship, which, at first, is not easy. Through focusing, the client will begin to feel a shift as the body starts to address the issue, and answers arrive for handling situations.

Focusing can bring about the gift of self-healing in terms of psychological issues within fewer than ten focusing sessions. It can treat a range of issues, from minor behaviour or personality issues, to severe cases of child abuse. Couples can experience fascinating changes in listening skills through focusing, too.

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

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

Linette Read

M.Ed., RCC
I’m a European settler, an explorer of nature, a knitter, and a Registered Clinical Counsellor who has supported youth and adults and their mental health for over a decade. I’m a calm, curious, relaxed... Read more

Donna Vidas

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Some issues I regularly work with in therapy include: Overcoming recent or life-long patterns that may be interfering with your enjoyment of life resolving traumatic experiences managing life transitions... Read more

Martine Charles

Ph.D., RCC
I have over 25 years experience in providing individual counselling to adult women and men. I offer counselling for a wide variety of difficulties including trauma (recent and past), anxiety, depression, addictions... Read more

Morgan MacCarl

M.Couns., RCC
I work with adults and couples who are struggling with grief, trauma, relationship challenges, ADHD symptoms, life transitions, and those who are generally feeling overwhelmed with life. I often meet with people who are... Read more

John Boland

M.Ed., CCC
John Boland has been a counsellor/psychotherapist for 40 years and brings to his practice a wealth of experience in the areas of individual and couples therapy as well as many years working with children and youth. He... Read more

Jill Koehler

M.Couns., RCC
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
So….you are thinking about counselling and wondering where to start, maybe: Your mind keeps spinning and you can’t find any peace. You are hard on yourself, but don’t know how else to keep... Read more
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
Feeling lost, misunderstood, stuck? I have been there. Besides being an experienced therapist, I am also a child of divorce, immigrant, wife, and mother. My own healing journey and continuing professional... Read more

Sally Shamai

M.Ed., RCC
COVID-19 - Please note that  I am currently offering  both remote and in person sessions . I am interested in the processes of change and acceptance; individual, relational and social.  My desire is to... 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

Bonnie Hall

M.Couns., RCC
Bonnie Hall has a Master’s of Counselling degree, and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a private practice in Richmond, BC. Bonnie offers counselling services for people who are feeling frustrated in... Read more

Naoko Sasaki

M.A., RCC
    • In-Person Sessions
Are you struggling with high stress, anxiety, depression, substance use, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, or trauma and PTSD? Would you like to ease your emotional pain by gaining tools to self-regulate and... Read more

Deborrah Dunne

Ph.D., RCC
The decision to go for counselling often arises in the face of crisis and overwhelm. It can also come about because we are tired of dragging our issues along with us through days, weeks, months and even years. My goal... Read more

Leanne Cuddington

M.A., RCC
Leanne is a Registered Clinical Counsellor based in Kitsilano. She obtained her Master’s degree in Somatic Counselling Psychology from Naropa University, Colorado and she has specialized credentials in Body... Read more