Will couples therapy
work for us?
For couples therapy to succeed, both partners must be fully committed to the process. Often, couples wait until issues have escalated before seeking help. Effective therapy requires mutual motivation and a shared understanding of the need for change.
Validating each other's perspectives is essential in couples therapy. This doesn't require agreeing on everything, but it does mean being able, or willing to learn, to see your partner's viewpoint as valid, even when you disagree.
In intimate relationships, we often find that what bothers us about our partners reflects more about ourselves than them. If you're unwilling to engage in this kind of introspection, couples counseling may be less effective, as some of your behaviors likely stem from childhood and contribute to the issue.
If you are in danger, call 911 now.
Emergency services are available to provide the support and protection you need. Your well-being is paramount, and taking this step can save your life.
We provide expert couples therapy designed to help partners foster healthy communication, strengthen their bond, and overcome challenges together.
Unlike LENS sessions, EEGR neurofeedback sessions require conscious effort and attention to stimuli by the client. Sessions last between 30-45 minutes each.
On the other hand, LENS does not require any focused attention, and the person does not need to do anything specific during the session. This makes LENS an excellent option for all individuals, including those who are unable to attend for lengthy periods of time and/or who are unable to understand instructions.
We follow the recommended fees set forth by the Psychologists' Association of Alberta.
LENS sessions are typically 30 minutes and are a flat fee of $150
EEGR sessions are typically 30 minutes and are a flat fee of $150
Billing may also occur in 10 minute increments for services done outside the therapy hour such as phone calls, writing letters, etc., letters and will be charged based on the hourly rate of the therapist for the service rendered. Sessions are billed based on the actual time, not the estimated time.
Couples therapy provides a space for both partners to share their perspectives on issues without the expectation that either view must be accepted as true or correct. It encourages couples to understand each other’s viewpoints, fostering skills in listening and validation rather than persuading or merely waiting to speak. Through this process, issues can be addressed, and overarching strategies are offered for the couple to practice outside of the session.
Couples therapy helps couples identify and address the root causes of their problems, often focusing on underlying issues within each partner that contribute to the overall conflict. It promotes individual mental health improvements as a key part of resolving the broader relationship challenges. Pursuing a perfect relationship is unrealistic; instead, conflicts and challenges should be viewed as opportunities to learn more about your partner and yourself.
One of the most valuable aspects of couples therapy is having a trusted third party provide an objective perspective on your relationship. This outside viewpoint can reveal issues, dynamics, and patterns that might go unnoticed by either partner, leading to insights and solutions that may not have been discovered independently.
Yes, and that’s the key! Couples should feel encouraged to express themselves openly and vulnerably. Conflict itself isn’t harmful—it’s unresolved conflict or suppressed feelings that lead to problems. A couples therapist can serve as a buffer, translating your words in a way that helps your partner understand your perspective more effectively during disagreements.
Psychologists who specialize in couples and family therapy focus on repairing relationships and developing essential relationship skills. It’s important for your therapist to have a deep understanding of family and marital dynamics, conflict intervention and resolution, and mediation techniques. They should be adept at shifting between perspectives, helping each individual step into the other’s viewpoint, and fostering a deeper understanding and connection between partners.
Avoid blaming or using accusatory language, comparing current issues to past relationships, resorting to negative labels or name-calling, becoming defensive instead of listening openly, using sarcasm or hurtful jokes, dismissing or invalidating your partner’s feelings, issuing ultimatums as a means of control, and withholding information or keeping secrets.
