Are you considering divorce? Are you separated but are not sure whether you should work on your relationship or end it? We all know that divorce is very costly financially, emotionally and relationally; it can destabilize us financially and creates uncertainty for our children. On the other hand, when the dynamics between two couple is fraught with disrespect, disconnection, volatility, instability, contempt, or abuse, divorce may create the opportunity to provide stability for yourself and your children whereby two adults are able to provide two healthy, stable homes for themselves and their children.

Couples therapy can help you learn how to break your unhealthy patterns, be honest with yourself and partner, and see if re-connection is possible. If re-connection is not possible then couples therapy can help you navigate this massive transition in your personal, couple, and family’s life so that you are transitioning in the healthiest way possible.

How do you know when it is time to Separate?

1. The relationship is harming your well-being

Ask yourself:

• Do you feel consistently anxious, depressed, or diminished because of the marriage?
• Have you lost your sense of self, confidence, or joy?
• Do you feel emotionally unsafe, dismissed, or controlled?

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2. There is ongoing abuse or betrayal

Divorce is often the healthiest option when there is:

• Emotional, verbal, physical, or sexual abuse
• Chronic manipulation or gaslighting
• Repeated infidelity or broken trust with no real accountability or change

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3. Problems are chronic and unchanged despite real effort

Consider:

• Have the same core problems existed for years?
• Have you tried honest conversations, boundaries, counseling, or compromises?
• Does your partner consistently refuse responsibility or change?

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4. There is no emotional connection left

You might notice:

• Indifference is replacing conflict (this is often more concerning than arguing)
• You feel lonelier in the marriage than you would alone
• There’s no curiosity, affection, or sense of partnership anymore

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5. Your values or life paths no longer align

Sometimes people grow in different directions:

• Different visions of family, finances, faith, lifestyle, or goals
• Incompatible expectations of partnership or intimacy
• One person evolving while the other resists growth

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6. You stay mainly out of fear, guilt, or obligation

Common thoughts include:

• “I’m afraid of starting over.”
• “I don’t want to hurt them / the kids.”
• “Divorce feels like failure.”

How to know when to stay?

• Both partners acknowledge the problems
• Both are willing to take responsibility and change behaviour, i.e. willing to be honest with yourself.
• There is emotional safety, even if things are painful
• Progress, however slow, is real and consistent
• You still want to rebuild, not just feel obligated to
• There are aspects of the relationship and person that you really value, for example, friendship, family, physical attraction.

How can therapy help me?

Psychotherapy offers a compassionate and confidential space to better understand yourself and your experiences. People seek therapy not because something is “wrong” with them, but because they want to feel more balanced, empowered, and connected to their lives. A therapist can help you develop coping skills, process emotions, and gain new perspectives, making it easier to navigate challenges and build resilience. Whether you’re struggling or simply seeking personal growth, therapy can be a meaningful step toward healing, self-discovery, and a more fulfilling life.

Session Structure: How to get started?

You can choose the convenience of in-person in our Mississauga office, or can enjoy the convenience of virtual sessions. Sessions are 50 minutes in length. You can expect to feel heard, valued, and that your concerns matter. We will help you identify the patterns that are keeping you stuck and implement strategies to break these unhelpful patterns permanently.

Our Location

We are located at 120 Carlton Street, Suite 315, Toronto, ON M5A 4K2. We are located at the corner of Jarvis and Carlton, across the street from Allan Gardens. We are in a lovely office building that is full accessible by elevator.

Meet our Separation/Divorce Therapists in Toronto

Frequently Asked Questions

Is therapy confidential?

Absolutely. Psychotherapy is built on the foundation of confidentiality. As professionals, it is our responsibility to ensure that we do everything we can reasonably do to ensure your anonymity. If you choose virtual sessions, be assured that we only use the professional version of Zoom which has professional level security.

How long does therapy take?

In the same way that it has taken time to develop patterns that don’t work, it takes time to break these patterns and create new ones. But many clients start to feel better after the first session. Clients can expect to can new insights, identify their patterns and interrupt them after 4-6 sessions. We do not believe in quick fixes since quick fixes never last, in the same way a crash diet is only temporary. We believe that changing one’s patterns has the potential for creating generational change, so doing the hard emotional and behavioural work pays off over time.

Do you offer virtual sessions?

Yes. Every member of our team offers virtual sessions, so no matter which day of the week works for you, one of our team members will be available for you.