It is common for couples to go through ups and downs in their relationship, for one or both partners to feel unhappy, disconnected, or to feel that their needs for intimacy and connection are not being met. Relationship counselling offers couples the opportunity to work together in a supportive environment, to talk through their thoughts and feelings, and to identify how the relationship isn't meeting their expectations.

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Some common issues that bring couples into therapy may include:

 

• Major life change and transition such as moving, becoming parents, changing or losing a job, becoming empty nesters, coping after extramarital affairs, recovering from addiction or caring for aging parents. Therapy affords couples an opportunity to negotiate these transitions with as little disruption possible and to explore and honour what the transition means to each partner.

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• Communication is another concern for couples. Talking with each other "more" isn't always the answer. Both parties need to feel heard, validated, soothed, respected and cared for to feel safe and secure within the relationship and feel comfortable sharing their experiences. Couples counseling provides the opportunity to explore old communication patterns and replace them with more effective ones.

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• Couples therapy gives space for couples to talk through their feelings and articulate how their relationship may not be meeting their expectations. Often times one or both partners may feel stuck within the relationship. That sense of being "in a rut" can shift when couples can find common ground and learn to compromise in a way that ensures each individual's needs are met.