Marriage and/or Relationship Issues, Perfectionism Narrative Therapy

Marriage and/or Relationship Issues, Perfectionism

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.

Perfectionism is considered as a personality trait among many mental health practitioners.  Perfectionists tend to view projects or tasks that are not perfect done, as unworthy. Unless they know that they can do something perfectly, they are unlikely to take it on. They tend not to care much about the learning process while completing a task, but rather about the end project, which, for them, is the most important aspect of any project they undertake.

Procrastination is a great obstacle with people who are perfectionists. They usually don't want to start a task until they are sure that they can do it perfectly. It's common for them to spend an enormous amount of time on a project, making sure that it is done to perfection. Yet, perfectionism prevents these people from appreciating a job well done. Instead, they don't believe that anything they do is good enough and they constantly compare their results with that of other people. They become fixated on achieving perfection.

There is a correlation between perfectionism and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and some perfectionists also have OCD.  However, not all people with OCD are perfectionists. While most people with an ambition to succeed and therefore strive to excel in their pursuits, they are not necessarily perfectionists.

Therapy can be very helpful in treating perfectionism. Therapy will help the individual to reframe their thinking to change the end goal of his or her undertakings. A therapist may often help perfectionists recognize that some of the most successful people are not perfectionists at all.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers therapies to address your perfectionism or OCD issues, you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Narrative Therapy, Observed Experiential Integration (OEI), Relational Psychotherapy

Narrative Therapy provides clients the opportunity to regain their ability to develop positive relationships by healing past wounds. It can be used in individual, family, adoption and couples contexts.

This type of therapy offers a respectful and non-blaming approach which acknowledges each person as the author of his or her own life. Narrative therapy assumes that people have a range of inner resources that help them deal with difficulties and problems in their lives.

Narrative therapy can be used with children, adults, in groups, couples and individuals. It can help them cope with traumatic events without the need to discuss it directly.

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

Observed Experiential Integration (OEI) is an effective therapy for people who have experienced trauma, or who have negative thoughts and beliefs to eradicate. It is one of the quicker therapies for this type of issue.

Observed Experiential Integration (OEI) has evolved out of EMDR integrates the visual pathways and both of the brain hemispheres to reduce anxiety and trauma.

During therapy, the client covers or uncovers a single eye at a time, while following the therapist's moving fingers with their eyes. This exercise integrates the two brain hemispheres to allow information to easily travel through the sensory processors and emotional processors.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Observed Experiential Integration (OEI), please browse our list of practitioners below..

Relational Psychotherapy assesses a client's psychic formation, which is the source of a person's interpersonal relationships and conflicts. A common therapy, Relational Psychotherapy focuses on the client's connection to other people.

When clients present with interpersonal relational distress, emotional or psychological issues, or chronic suffering, Relational Psychotherapy can be applied to help a person build and maintain emotionally  satisfying relationships. An atmosphere that provides attentiveness and empathy will help the client commit to full disclosure of events and experiences.

A stronger sense of self confidence will arm the client with the tools and skills needed to create healthy, productive relationships with other people.

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

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

Autumn Fowler

M.A., CCC
    • Online booking
When your relationships feel challenging, your whole world feels difficult. But I believe in the power of change and know you can have fulfilling relationships and healthy communication. Therapy is a chance to... 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

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

Delyse Ledgard

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
    • Article(s) on profile
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
To be understood, seen, feel the comfort of another’s presence is the heart of therapy.  With over 30 years of experience, I have encountered and worked with people from all walks of life helping... Read more

Sarah Siddiqui RCC

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
*Now Accepting Clients.  For insurance purposes: please note I am an RSW and RCC* Whether trying therapy has been an unfulfilled new year’s resolution for the past number of years, something that just... Read more

Danielle Bowersock

M.A., RCC
    • Blog on profile
As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, I can help if you are stressed, anxious or depressed. At their extreme, anxiety and depression can be crippling, making you feel hopeless. Life becomes a struggle and your... 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

Norma Hoeppner

M.S.W., RSW
In private practice since 2007, Norma has been a dynamic clinical therapist across diverse health settings since 1989. Currently she practices with Clear Counselling Inc. in Vancouver, as well as an office through... Read more

Halina Deptuck

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Periods of struggle, challenge, or feeling stuck inevitably occur throughout our lives. Whether you’ve gone through a life transition, are experiencing low mood, heightened anxieties, relationship challenges,... Read more