Iona Monk

I am a Registered Clinical Counselor who meets with couples and individuals in private practice in Vancouver. I have been working with couples for over twenty years in private practice. I am a graduate of both McGill University and University of British Columbia.

My main focus is relationship and marriage counseling. Initially, many of my clients report feeling angry and lonely. They can't communicate, they fight and they cannot get their needs met. They hold beliefs about their partner and themselves that just aren't true. They feel alone. At times, they feel as if they are living with a stranger. They can feel hopeless and lost. Many believe they should be able to fix things on their own. They hope that couples counseling will help them to stop fighting and find a way to reconnect. This is a very painful and difficult juncture. But it can also be a turning point.

Couples need to feel connected again. They need to feel like they are on the same team! I offer couples counseling that is geared toward increased intimacy, healthy communication and an increased sense of togetherness. I use Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy which has the highest success rate of any model currently available. 75-90% of couples completing this therapy report increased satisfaction in their relationships. There is hope!

The one constant stance I use with clients is one of respect . I can be quite direct, and ask questions that invite clients to look inside and seek answers. At times, we can be lighthearted and humorous in our sessions. I welcome these times to enjoy humor as it is a healthy component of any relationship.

I teach couples the communication skills they need to be heard. I help them break out of old, painful cycles and reach and and reconnect. Defensiveness is now replaced with a genuine intent to learn, both about themselves and their partner. I teach couples how to reconnect and to rediscover what brought them together when they first fell in love.