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.

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.

How do we work? What is EFT?

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 you help us with?

-Communication: We will help you change the communication dance in your relationship.  We will help you communicate your core emotions so that you feel heard and understood.  We will help you learn how to take emotional risks and be vulnerable for the purpose of connection.

-Disconnection: We help our clients identify their moves in the relationship dance, so they can change their steps to promote connection rather disconnection.

-Intimacy: Intimacy is often the first type of connection to go when couples fall into negative patterns of interaction.  We will help you change the dance and re-integrate intimacy in a safe way into your relationship once again.

-Friendship: Negative interactions often affect how you view the other, which then affects the friendship piece of your relationship.  When your negative dance changes, you will start to see your spouse differently; we will help you restore the friendship.

-Affair Recovery: Affairs injure relationships, and cause harm; they dismantle the foundation of trust and security.  We will help you work through the painful emotions of the affair and rebuild the relationship.  We believe that relationships can heal from an affair, in fact, in our experience, when both people are engaged in the healing process, couples can often have a much better relationship after the hurt of an affair has been healed.  

-Parenting: Often described as the hardest job on earth, we all need help from time to time in raising our children.  We are attachment-based therapists, which means that we will help you understand your child’s behaviour through an attachment lens which will enable you to parent effectively.  

-Life transitions: Transitions come in many forms, for example, children growing up and leaving the home, separation or divorce, loss of a loved one, or a career.  Transitions are fraught with emotions and often uncertainty.  We will help you re-purpose your life and find inner 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!

Where are you located?

Mississauga: 4291 Village Centre Court, Suite 201

Toronto: 120 Carlton Street, Suite 315

Meet the Couples Counselling Mississauga Team

Meet the Couples Therapy Toronto Team

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 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.