Divorce and/or Separation, Marriage and/or Relationship Issues Marriage & Couples Counselling

Divorce and/or Separation, Marriage and/or Relationship Issues

Breaking the vow of "till death do us part" and getting divorced has been listed on the list of top things that people fear. The end of a marriage can indeed cause incredible confusion, sadness, grief, anger, guilt, fear, anxiety and shame. Not only does the end of a marriage affect a couple, but also the children.

Issues that can cause a marriage to fail include criticism, lack of respect, defensiveness, and aloofness, to name a few. Dealing with these issues might save a marriage. Mediation therapy can help couples even before a divorce, when the signs of marital disintegration starts to show. Couples therapy is an excellent tool at that point in a marriage to see whether saving the marriage is a viable option, and if it's not, it can help them find ways to reach settlements, move forward, and co-parent in a healthy and constructive way.

For children going through the divorce of their parents, therapy is critical. While parents are facing the realities of divorce and the emotional trauma, they often don't have the time or inclination to help their children deal with their sense of abandonment, pain, loss or guilt. Children may even feel that they are to blame for their parents' problems. Therapy can help children to come to terms with these issues and find strategies to move forward in a positive way.

In the case where couples counselling is not an option, a therapist can help the person who was left behind deal with the grief from the divorce. Therapy is aimed at empowering the individual to overcome grief and negative emotions and to move forward as a single person.

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

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.

Marriage & Couples Counselling

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.

Lee Cassels

M.A., RCC
Lee Cassels is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who sees clients in her office which located in the Port Moody area.    Often people find themselves drawn to counselling sites when they have reached a... Read more

Sara Kammerzell

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
For over twenty years, Sara has helped people grow through turbulent times in their lives so that they can reclaim their full vitality and live the life they were born to live.  She strives to connect with... 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

Summy Pajouh

MCP:AT, RCC
    • Online booking
Summy is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and a Counselling Art Therapist who graduated with a Master of Counselling Psychology: Art Therapy from Adler University. Summy has experience providing individual and... Read more

Jeffrey Hoy

M.A., RCC
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
I am a therapist who wants to help you, in the way that works for you, and at the pace that works for you. I seek to create a safe, calm, and open place for you to explore what is really going on. I have lived a richly... Read more

Marilyn Beloff

Ph.D., RCC
Due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, and in order to protect my clients, as well as our families and community as a whole, I have made the decision to move to a secure on-line fully encrypted format, for video sessions... 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

Coleen Adderley

M.A., RCC
Coleen is the Founder and Clinical Director of Reflective Soul Counselling. She is passionate about helping others and believes that each obstacle we face only makes us that much stronger.   Coleen has over... Read more

Meredith MacKenzie

M.A., RCC
Meredith MacKenzie is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and owner of Parallel Wellness. She is a warm and genuine individual, couple and family therapist. She works with both adolescent and adult clients. She... Read more

Melissa MacNeill

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
Life can be hard. Relationships can be really hard. It's natural to feel overwhelmed, powerless, hopeless, anxious, and depressed when one of our important relationships is going poorly. When we get stuck, and don... Read more

Avraham Cohen

Ph.D., RCC
    • Blog on profile
Avraham Cohen, Ph. D., RCC-ACS, CCC holds the designations of Registered Clinical Counsellor; Approved Clinical Supervisor (RCC=ACS) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, and Canadian Counsellor Certification... Read more

Donna Steadman

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
As a Registered Clinical Counsellor in Langley, my job is to help you feel better.    Whether you are struggling with relationship issues, suffering from the pain and paralysis of depression, or... Read more

Annu Dha

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
  About Me I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor born and raised in Vancouver. I have a Masters Degree in Counselling (MA) and over a decade of related experience. I've worked in diverse... 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

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
    • Online booking
Welcome to Healing Horizons Therapy! I am accepting new clients for both individual and couples sessions. I am currently seeing clients online and in-person. To let you know a little about me, I have a master... 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

Cate Pelling

M.A., RCC
As a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a MA in Counselling Psychology, I have been working in private practice since 2003.  Previous to this, I worked for a number of years in clinical settings... Read more

Andrea Yeo

M.Ed., RCC
Andrea Yeo is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BCACC, a Child Interviewer for BC Hear the Child Society, a Secondary School Teacher with North Vancouver School District, a Certified Parenting Facilitator and... Read more

Steven Keeler

M.Sc., RCC
    • Audio on profile
    • Article(s) on profile
Areas of Expertise: Relationship Healing Couples Treatment Parent and Child/Teen Relationships Men’s Issues Military and Veterans Transitions Anger Resolution PTSD and Trauma Family Issues/... 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

Paul Bains

M.A., RCC
Paul Bains, B.Sc., M.A., RCC is a Registered Clinical Counsellor. He has over 25 years experience working with couples, families, children, adolescents and individual adults. Benefits you may gain or learn... Read more

Nadia Oomer

M.C., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor and have been working in the mental health and substance abuse sector for over twelve years. I work with clients with a wide variety of psychological, health and life problems... Read more

Kim Watt

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Everybody needs some extra support at times to work through the problems, hurdles, challenges, and chaos that we find ourselves experiencing. I have a strong interest in working with adults who are experiencing... Read more

Alita Dommann

M.D., RCC
Alita is an Adlerian Psychotherapist providing Individual and Couples Counselling. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Canadian Certified Counsellor, and Adler University Alumni. After working as a medical... Read more

Joel Brass

M.A.Sc., RCC
Joel Brass, M.A.Sc., R.C.C. has been an individual, relationship and family therapist for the past 38 years. His areas of expertise and personal passion are the healing and growth of individuals and love... Read more

Dianne Gilmour

M.A., RCC
I understand how difficult it can be to even start the process of looking for a counsellor that fits your needs.  It is a huge investment emotionally and financially and I am happy to offer a free 30 minute... 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

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

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