Couples Therapy: What makes us different from the rest?

If you had a heart problem would you want to see a general practitioner or a specialist? Of course you’d want to see a Cardiologist! So, why would you settle for anything less than specialized help for the most important part of your life—your relationship! We have specialized training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the most empirically validated and researched modality to help couples bond. Research studies find that 70-75% of couples move from conflict and tension to love and connection, and approximately 90% show significant improvements overall in their relationships. And results last!

What is Couples Therapy and Counselling?

Couples therapy and counselling provides a safe place to help you break unhelpful negative patterns of communication.  We help our couples identify the patterns in their relationships that have caused disconnection, for example, too much conflict, loss of connection, loss of fun, loss of intimacy, loss of friendship, etc.  We help you identify these patterns and break them.

Rather than focusing on blame, therapy helps you identify the cycles that keep you stuck, like one partner pursuing while the other withdraws, and understand the emotional needs underneath those patterns.

Your therapist acts as a neutral guide, helping both partners feel heard while introducing practical tools and strategies to improve how you relate to each other.

When and why should you seek Couples Counselling?

Some couples seek therapy as a preventative measure, for example, in the same way you would get an annual physical, some couples want to ensure they maintain a healthy level of connection, so they have a “check-in” or “check-up” sessions.

Other couples seek therapy because they notice they are arguing too often, they feel disconnected, or maybe there has been an injury in the relationship, for example, an emotional or a physical affair.  Some seek therapy to determine if they want to stay in their relationship, and others even seek therapy to help them end their relationship in as healthy a way as possible.

We encourage you to seek couple therapy at the first signs of repeated disconnection.  It is important to not let negative patterns repeat over and over, but if this has occurred, do not lose hope, as even embedded patterns can be broken.

Not sure if therapy is right for you?

Take a 2 minutes quiz to find out if couples therapy could help you reconnect.

Created by our therapists based on years of experience, this quick quiz can help you see if couples therapy could benefit your relationship.

What are the common approaches used by therapists in Mississauga?

EFT was co-founded by Canadian Psychologist, Dr. Sue Johnson, in the 1980s. EFT finds its roots in attachment theory, which proves our biological need for connection and bonding to another person. EFT helps couples have a new conversation—bonding conversations. EFT provides us with a map to help couples step out of the unhealthy patterns in their relationship that cause disconnection and distress, and into a pattern of reaching for your partner, and your partner reaching back. We will help you learn how to be vulnerable with one another, access your core emotions, and express your core needs. Once you have a new pattern in your relationship, you will be able to work through future stressors and struggles.

How long does EFT take?

In order for change to occur, both people need to be engaged in the process.  Typically, couples experience a new connection between 10-20 sessions.  Some couples require less time, while couples who have experienced complex trauma may require more sessions.  Sessions are usually bi-weekly but weekly sessions are also available.

Which Relationship Issues Can Couples Therapy Help With?

Every relationship has patterns. In couples therapy, we help you understand what is happening beneath the surface and create new ways of connecting.

Relationship issue	How couples therapy can help
Communication	We help you change the “communication dance” in your relationship, so both partners can express core emotions, feel heard, and take emotional risks in a safe way.
Disconnection	We help you identify the patterns that create distance, so you can shift toward connection instead of disconnection.
Intimacy	When negative patterns take over, intimacy is often affected. We help couples rebuild emotional and physical intimacy in a safe, gradual way.
Friendship	Conflict can change how partners see each other. As the negative cycle shifts, we help couples restore warmth, friendship, and appreciation.
Affair recovery	Affairs can deeply injure trust and security. We help couples process the pain, rebuild trust, and work toward healing when both partners are engaged.
Parenting	As attachment-based therapists, we help parents understand behaviour through an attachment lens and work together more effectively.
Life transitions	Major changes can bring uncertainty and emotional strain. We help couples navigate transitions and find a renewed sense of direction and peace.

What can I expect from a Couple session and EFT?

We always like to see the couple for the first session, and then we like to see you individually for one session each.  The purpose of the individual session is to better understand you as an individual, the patterns you were modelled growing up, your own relationship patterns, etc.  We do not keep secrets in this process, so whatever is shared in the individual session cannot be kept from your spouse.  We conduct our sessions in a way to ensure that each person feels heard and valued, we do not view a person as “the problem”, instead we view the pattern as a problem, so that is what we focus on.  You can expect to have a caring and compassionate therapist, and you should also expect to be asked to talk to your spouse while in session.  Each person will be challenged to look at themselves honestly, and to identify their part in the relationship dance.  Our goal to help you become pattern breakers!

Wondering where to start?

These resources can help you better understand your relationship and decide what kind of support may be helpful.

• How to Emotionally Connect with Your Spouse
• How to Deal with Relationship Anxiety
• Anxiety vs. Intuition in a Relationship: How to Tell the Difference
• How to Recognize Anxious Attachment

Where in Mississauga?

Mississauga: 4291 Village Centre Court, Suite 201

We serve clients across Mississauga and nearby areas, including Square One, City Centre, Cooksville, Port Credit, Meadowvale, Streetsville, Oakville, Brampton, and Etobicoke, as well as offering virtual therapy across Ontario.

What should I look for when choosing a therapist in Mississauga?

Choosing a couples therapist in Mississauga involves a few key considerations. Look for someone who has specific training in couples therapy, such as EFT or the Gottman Method, not just individual therapy. It’s important that both partners feel heard and respected, and that the therapist can remain neutral while helping you navigate difficult conversations.

You’ll also want a therapist who can clearly explain their approach, set expectations for the process, and offer practical tools you can use outside of sessions. We also offer a free consultation, where we can help match you with the therapist who feels like the best fit for your relationship!

Meet the Couples Counselling Mississauga Team

Looking for top-rated marriage counsellors in Mississauga?
Meet our team of relationship specialists, here to help you reconnect, communicate better, and strengthen your relationship.

Couples Therapy & Relationship Consultation

How much does Couples Therapy Cost?

We offer various fee options.  Fees start as low as $100.

Is Psychotherapy HST exempt?

Yes!  As of June 20, 2024, HST is now exempt from our services.

How do we start Couples Counselling?

Contact our Booking Administrator, Nicole Spence at and she will connect you with the right therapist for your.

How effective is couples therapy in Mississauga for marriage issues?

Couples therapy can be very effective for addressing marriage and relationship issues, especially when both partners are open to the process. Evidence-based approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method have been shown to improve communication, rebuild trust, and strengthen emotional connection.

In therapy, the focus is not just on solving surface-level problems, but on understanding the patterns that keep couples stuck, like recurring arguments, emotional distance, or cycles of pursuing and withdrawing. Once these patterns are identified, couples can begin to shift how they relate to each other in a more supportive and connected way.

Many couples start to notice positive changes within the first few sessions, especially in how they communicate and understand each other.

How long does it take to see tangible results from Couples Therapy?

Although the typical EFT process takes between 10-20 sessions, couples often start to feel differently after 5-6 sessions.

What should I do if my partner is reluctant to join Relationship Counselling?

If you think of your relationship as a dance, when one person changes their steps, the dance changes.  In other words, if your partner refuses to attend, we encourage you to attend alone as the changes you make will have an impact on your relationship.  Often times, if your partner experiences you as different they may become open to the therapy process.

Can we access Couples Counselling Virtually?

Absolutely!  Therapy via Zoom is very convenient.  Although we prefer that you both attend via the same screen, we understand that sometimes it’s not possible, and when that’s the case, we can see you via multiple screens.

Does Insurance cover Couples Therapy?

Yes, if you have coverage for a Registered Psychotherapist or a Registered Psychologist then you should be covered, but we advise you to check directly with your insurance provider.

Is Couples Counselling only for couples in crisis?

No.  The purpose of couples counselling is to help you break unhealthy patterns and create healthy patterns that lead to a deeper connection.  This means that couples counselling can benefit all couples at any stage of their relationship.  Couples counselling is essential when an injury has occurred, for example, an affair.

What are the Benefits of attending Couples Counselling?

Research has shown that when couples feel connected there are several benefits.  For example, couples literally live longer, they are less susceptible to chronic disease because people that feel connected to their spouse have a calmer nervous system which reduces the risk of chronic disease, and have increased overall happiness, joy, and purpose.  Another benefit to feeling connected to your spouse is that when people have a safe place to land, they can take healthier risks in other parts of their life, for example, starting a business, going for a promotion, etc.

What are the different types of Couples Therapy?

EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) is the most researched, validated, and effective modality for helping couples break their pattern and re-connect.  We are specialists in EFT.  We also incorporate other effective modalities, for example, the Gottman Method.