Couples and Relationship Counselling

Relationships go through difficult periods. When communication breaks down, conflict becomes repetitive, or connection fades, it can be hard to find a way forward on your own. Couples counselling provides a structured space to address what is happening between you and work toward meaningful change.

As a therapist in Westmount, I work with couples at different stages, whether you are trying to resolve a specific issue, rebuild after a rupture, or strengthen a relationship that has gradually lost its footing. The goal is not to assign blame or referee arguments. It is to help both partners understand the patterns that keep them stuck and develop practical ways to communicate, resolve conflict, and reconnect.

When Couples Counselling Can Help

Most couples do not seek therapy at the first sign of difficulty. By the time they do, the issues have usually been building for months or years. That is normal, and it does not mean you have waited too long.

Couples counselling can help when you are dealing with:

• Arguments that keep circling the same ground without resolution
• Emotional disconnection or withdrawal
• Infidelity, dishonesty, or broken trust
• Intimacy or sexual difficulties
• Parenting disagreements
• Financial conflict
• Life transitions such as relocation, career change, or retirement
• External stress from work, health, or family pressures
• Feeling like housemates rather than partners

Some couples come in because they have stopped fighting altogether and settled into a distant, functional routine. Others are dealing with differences in values, intimacy, or life direction that feel too large to navigate alone. In each case, therapy offers a way to slow things down, examine what is actually going on, and build a path forward that both partners can commit to.

How Couples Therapy Works

Couples therapy is different from individual therapy. The relationship itself is the focus. Sessions are 50 minutes and take place in person at my office in Westmount.

In the first session, I hear from both partners about what brought you in, how the relationship has evolved, and what you each want from therapy. From there, we build a clear picture of the dynamics at play and agree on specific areas to work on.

Ongoing sessions focus on identifying the communication patterns, assumptions, and reactive behaviours that keep conflict alive. You will practise new ways of expressing needs, listening without defensiveness, and handling disagreements constructively. The work is collaborative and practical. I will be direct when it is useful, and I will hold both partners accountable to the process.

Frequency depends on where things stand. Most couples begin with weekly sessions to build momentum, then adjust as progress allows.

Premarital Counselling

Not all couples come to therapy because something is wrong. Premarital counselling is an opportunity to address potential friction points before they become entrenched. Topics often include financial management, family expectations, communication styles, division of responsibilities, and how each partner handles conflict.

Working through these conversations with a therapist helps you clarify assumptions, identify areas of misalignment early, and build skills that support a stronger foundation for your marriage. It is a practical investment in the long-term health of the relationship.

What to Expect

Therapy requires honesty and willingness from both partners. Progress is rarely linear, and difficult conversations are part of the process. My role is to guide those conversations in a way that is productive rather than destructive, and to help you build skills you can use between sessions and long after therapy ends.

You do not need to agree on everything before starting. Many couples begin therapy with very different perspectives on the problem. That is a useful starting point, not a barrier.

Schedule a Free 10-Minute Phone Consultation

Professional Background

Academic qualifications and professional memberships:

• Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy
• Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
• Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association

Learn more about my background and qualifications.

Counselling That Fits in With Your Schedule

I’m available for appointments Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, either in-person at my office in Westmount, or online for your convenience.

You don’t need a referral to make an appointment. You can contact me directly by phone, email, or book a session through the website.

If you're not quite ready to book but would like to learn more or get a sense of how I work, I offer a free 10-minute consultation by phone.

Your First Appointment

In our first session, we’ll talk through the following:

• Your main concerns and what has brought you to therapy
• How these concerns are impacting your day-to-day life and relationships
• Your expectations, goals, and hopes for the work ahead

This initial session is also an opportunity for you to get a sense of how I work and to ask any questions you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions

What issues do you work with in couples counselling?
I work with communication breakdown, recurring conflict, emotional disconnection, infidelity and trust issues, intimacy concerns, life transitions, parenting disagreements, and premarital planning. If the issue is affecting your relationship, it is appropriate to bring into therapy.

What if my partner does not want to come?
It is common for one partner to be more willing than the other. Sometimes it helps to frame therapy as a practical step rather than an admission that something is broken. If your partner is not ready, individual therapy can still address the relational patterns on your side.

How long does couples counselling take?
This depends on the complexity of the issues and how consistently both partners engage with the process. Some couples make significant progress in 6 to 10 sessions. Others benefit from longer-term work, particularly when there are deep-seated patterns or trust has been significantly damaged.

Do you take sides?
No. My role is to work with the relationship, not to act as a judge or advocate for one partner over the other. Both perspectives matter, and both partners are held to the same standard of engagement.

Do you offer virtual couples sessions?
Couples sessions are held in person at my office in Westmount.

Do you issue insurance receipts?
Yes. I provide receipts that can be submitted to your insurance provider. Confirm directly with your insurer whether counselling services from a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) are covered under your plan.

What is your cancellation policy?
I require 48 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling. This allows me to offer the time slot to other clients.

Schedule a Free 10-Minute Phone Consultation