Improve your relationship with marriage counselling. Solve problems, communicate better, and enhance your bond. Begin your journey to a better partnership today.
At our professional counselling services, we are dedicated to helping you and your partner address relationship challenges, strengthen your connection, enhance emotional well-being, and improve communication skills with the support of our licensed therapists and relationship experts.
We offer a range of marriage counselling services, including premarital guidance, managing infidelity, and conflict resolution, all tailored to your specific needs.
Our therapy program and services provide compassionate support throughout every phase of your relationship, helping you fortify your bond, address persistent issues, or build a strong foundation for your future together.
We create a supportive and professional environment where couples can openly discuss their marital concerns. Our marriage and relationship counselling services assist partners in improving communication, addressing conflicts and grief, and deepening their emotional connection.
Work through and heal emotional injuries affecting your relationship. Addressing these wounds builds trust and strengthens your bond with your partner.
Seek guidance when your relationship is facing significant challenges. Our experienced counsellors provide services that are with the necessary support to help you make difficult decisions and overcome obstacles together.
Improve both emotional and physical intimacy to foster a deeper connection with your partner. Strengthening intimacy results in a more fulfilling and loving relationship.
Enhance how you communicate with your partner. Our counsellors assist you in clearly expressing your needs and emotions, fostering better mutual understanding.
Fortify the core of your relationship to create a resilient partnership capable of overcoming current and future challenges.
Develop useful strategies for handling conflicts. Our counsellors help you create constructive approaches for resolving disagreements, leading to a more harmonious and understanding relationship.
Take control of the process.
Beginning therapy can feel daunting but the truth is you decide what (and when) to share. Our diverse team specializes in a range of issues including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and relationship issues. No matter your situation, we're here to support your journey to empowerment and mental wellness.
Your therapist is your guide.
Finding the right therapist is key to achieving your goals. Dip your toes into the therapy experience by booking a free consultation with one of our registered psychotherapists. These appointments are an opportunity to address your questions and explore your challenges, needs, and aspirations.
Commit to the experience.
To maximize the benefits of counselling it’s important you attend sessions consistently. When in session, we encourage you to lead the agenda. (Remember, this is YOUR therapy!) Between sessions, we hope you will strive to apply new insights, practice new skills, and develop new habits that support personal growth.
Is communication a struggle between you and your partner?
Consider working with a qualified marriage counsellor to enhance and strengthen your relationship.
Has the flame faded from your relationship? Reviving the love and reestablishing the bond that first drew you together might be facilitated by marriage counselling. Our dependable group of professional marriage therapists is here to assist you on this journey.
We offer marriage and couples therapy aimed at helping couples rebuild affection and connection in their relationship.
Take the first step toward a more fulfilling relationship today. Our marriage counselling services address a variety of relationship issues. Whether you're dealing with communication challenges, unresolved conflicts, or emotional detachment, our counsellors can help you implement effective relationship strategies.
Other than a safe counselling room, we provide a confidential and nonjudgmental environment where both partners can express their feelings and concerns openly, creating a secure counselling experience. You can feel the ease and comfort of professional support in counselling sessions tailored to your needs.
We provide marriage counselling services in Kitchener Waterloo in person or online, as well as online only in Toronto, Montreal, Windsor, as well as other cities and entire Canadian provinces. Sign up for your first free consultation to learn more!
At Upstream Counselling, we want you to feel comfortable with the counselling process. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about talking to a therapist about this type of therapy.
Marriage counselling at Upstream Counselling is a specialized form of therapy developed to help couples improve their relationship dynamics and resolve conflicts. This type of therapy draws on various strategies and procedures to address issues within the relationship and promote a healthier partnership. Here’s a detailed look at what this service includes:
Relationship Assessment: At Upstream Counselling, the first stage involves a thorough assessment of the couple’s relationship. The couples therapist, often a Canadian certified counsellor or marriage and family therapist, evaluates relationship dynamics, identifying key issues and patterns that affect the couple's interactions. This process helps both partners and the therapist become more aware of underlying problems, including stressors and relationship skills deficits. Family therapy may be incorporated to address issues related to relationship dynamics and improve communication.
Communication Enhancement: Effective communication is central to a healthy relationship. Marriage counselling focuses on improving communication skills through techniques like active listening and assertive expression. Methods such as Gottman methods and emotion-focused therapy (EFT) are employed to help couples and families communicate their needs and feelings more effectively. This approach ensures that both partners feel heard and understood within the relationship.
Conflict Resolution: Couples therapy strives to resolve conflicts by developing constructive strategies for managing disputes. Techniques from solution-focused therapy and family systems therapy may be utilized to address specific issues related to conflict. This helps couples navigate disagreements, as one partner may feel unheard or misunderstood, which therapy helps to address by creating a space where both can express themselves and work towards mutual understanding
Emotional Support: Emotional challenges within the relationship are addressed through various therapeutic approaches. Techniques like EFT and art therapy help couples build a deeper emotional connection and manage stressors affecting their relationship. The support provided by a psychotherapist or social worker enables partners to explore their feelings and strengthen their emotional bond. In this process, marriage counsellors or couples therapists can help by offering tailored strategies to address specific emotional needs and fostering a supportive environment for growth.
Goal Setting: The counselling process includes setting and achieving specific relationship goals. Couples work with the therapist to identify areas for improvement, such as enriching intimacy or resolving long-standing issues. This structured approach helps couples develop and implement strategies for positive change, fostering growth and improvement in their relationship.
Marriage counselling at Upstream Counselling offers a comprehensive approach to improving couples' relationships, we always ensure our therapists are providing professional help through various therapeutic techniques and approaches, tailored to address each couple’s unique needs and challenges.
Marriage counselling provides a structured environment where couples can address relationship issues with the guidance of a mental health professional. Here’s marriage counselling works:
Initial Assessment: The first marriage or relationship therapy session involves an assessment of the couple’s relationship dynamics. The couples counsellor evaluates the issues related to the relationship, including stressors and communication challenges. This initial assessment helps both partners and the therapist understand the context and develop a tailored therapy plan.
Therapeutic Techniques: Marriage counselling draws from a variety of therapeutic techniques to address specific issues. Approaches such as Gottman methods, solution-focused therapy, and EFT are used to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and build emotional connections. The therapist may also incorporate techniques from family systems therapy or art therapy based on the couple’s needs.
Regular Sessions: Couples typically attend therapy sessions on a regular basis, such as weekly or bi-weekly. Each session lasts about 50-60 minutes and provides a space for partners to discuss their concerns and work on relationship skills. Consistent attendance is crucial for maintaining momentum and achieving meaningful improvements in the relationship.
Action Plans: During therapy, couples may develop action plans to address their issues and implement changes. These plans may include specific exercises or tasks to complete between sessions, such as improving communication strategies or practicing conflict resolution techniques.
Feedback and Adjustment: Progress is regularly reviewed, and the therapy approach may be adjusted as needed. The therapist and couple work together to evaluate the effectiveness of the techniques used and make any necessary changes to ensure that the therapy remains relevant and effective.
Marriage counselling provides a structured approach to resolving relationship issues and improving overall partnership quality, using a variety of techniques and professional help to support couples in their journey toward a healthier relationship.
During the first marriage counselling or marriage therapy session at Upstream Counselling, couples will lay the foundation for their therapy journey. Here’s what to expect:
Initial Assessment: The first session includes a comprehensive assessment of the couple’s relationship. The couples therapist, who may be a psychotherapist or marriage and family therapist, gathers information about the couple’s history, current issues, and relationship dynamics, including challenges faced by one partner. This assessment helps identify key concerns and sets the stage for future sessions. It also provides a foundation for understanding how to navigate life’s challenges together and work through complex issues that may arise in the future.
Goal Setting: Couples discuss their goals for therapy, including specific issues they want to address and desired outcomes. Setting clear objectives helps focus the therapy sessions on areas that are most important to the couple, such as improving communication or resolving conflicts.
Therapeutic Approach: The counsellor explains the therapeutic methods and techniques that will be used, such as Gottman methods, EFT, or solution focused therapy. Understanding the approach helps couples know what to expect and how the therapy will be conducted, fostering engagement in the process. The professional relationship therapist may also discuss how they will work with couples to address their unique issues and improve their relationship dynamics.
Establishing Rapport: Building a trusting relationship with the therapist is essential. The first session aims to create a comfortable environment where both partners feel safe to share their concerns. Establishing rapport helps facilitate open and honest dialogue between the couple and the therapist.
Discussion of Expectations: Couples review the structure and frequency of sessions, including any homework or exercises that may be assigned. This ensures that both partners are clear on the therapy process and their roles, helping them prepare for future sessions.
The first session at Upstream Counselling sets the stage for effective marriage counselling by establishing goals, explaining the therapy approach, and building a trusting relationship, which helps couples engage in the process and work towards a healthier relationship. This is equally applicable to couples living in a same-sex relationship.
The duration of marriage counselling or marital therapy can vary depending on the couple’s needs and goals. Here’s a general overview:
Initial Phase: The initial couples or marriage counselling phase typically lasts about 1-2 months. This phase focuses on assessment, goal setting, and developing a therapy plan. It addresses immediate concerns and establishes a foundation for ongoing sessions.
Ongoing Therapy: Most married couples attend sessions for a period of 3-6 months. The length of therapy depends on the complexity of the issues and the progress made. Some couples often achieve their goals more quickly, while others may require longer-term therapy to address deeper issues.
Frequency of Sessions: Sessions are usually held weekly or bi-weekly. The frequency may be adjusted based on the couple’s needs and progress. Regular attendance is important for maintaining momentum and addressing issues effectively.
Session Length: Each session generally lasts between 50-60 minutes. This provides sufficient time to discuss concerns, work on relationship skills, and review progress without overwhelming the couple.
Review and Adjustment: Counsellors regularly review progress and may adjust the duration or frequency of sessions as needed. This ensures that the therapy remains effective and relevant to the couple’s evolving needs.
The length of marriage counselling is tailored to each unique situation, individually and as a couple, with therapy duration and frequency adjusted based on the couple’s goals and progress, ensuring that one or both partners receive the support they need throughout the process. Marriage counselling provides flexible support tailored to each couple’s situation, allowing them to decide whether they want to extend or adjust their therapy based on their progress and needs.
Marriage counselling at Upstream Counselling offers a range of benefits for couples seeking to enhance their relationship. Here’s what couples can gain from this service:
Improved Communication: Couples learn to communicate more effectively, which leads to better understanding and fewer conflicts. Techniques such as Gottman methods and solution-focused therapy help partners express their needs and feelings constructively.
Stronger Connection: Counselling helps strengthen emotional bonds and intimacy between partners. By addressing issues related to lack of connection and stressors within the relationship, couples can build a deeper emotional connection and enhance their overall relationship satisfaction.
Conflict Resolution Skills: Couples gain tools and techniques to manage and resolve conflicts constructively. Approaches like Emotion Focused Therapy or EFT and family systems therapy help partners develop effective strategies for handling disagreements and improving their conflict resolution skills. Marriage counselling and couples therapy can help couples understand their conflict patterns and learn new ways to interact that reduce tension and promote harmony.
Personal Growth: Both partners experience personal growth, which positively impacts the relationship. Therapy helps you understand why you feel a certain way and work on personal issues that affect your relationship.
Support for Struggling Relationships: If you are struggling in your relationship, marriage counselling strives to create and provide targeted support to help you address specific challenges. The therapy provides a structured environment to work through difficulties and develop practical solutions to improve the relationship.
Increased Satisfaction: Many couples find that their overall satisfaction with the relationship improves through counselling. The skills and insights gained during therapy contribute to a healthier and more fulfilling partnership.
Marriage counselling at Upstream Counselling provides valuable support for couples looking to strengthen their relationship and achieve lasting improvements, utilizing a variety of therapeutic techniques and professional expertise to foster positive change and enhance relationship dynamics. If you’re interested in exploring how marriage counselling can help your relationship, don't hesitate to contact us to book a free consultation and learn more about our services.
Our team at Upstream Counselling is here to help you explore issues, gain insights, begin your journey towards healing, and work towards the goals you identify during the counselling process.
Personalized therapy designed to address specific mental health issues while also nurturing personal growth and well-being.
A counselling program focusing on fostering effective communication, resolving conflicts, and nurturing healthy relationships.
A program designed to support clinical growth, whether you’re a student or a seasoned professional.
Whether you have a question about counselling, or would like to get in touch about something else, drop us a line at info@upstreamcounselling.com or by using the contact form below. Our client care team will get back to you within one business day.
We are ready and looking forward to meeting you. Get started today by clicking the link below and booking your free 15-minute discovery call. All our services are private and confidential.
Disclaimer: Content on this website is for informational purposes only. Visiting this website does not establish any type of therapist-client relationship with Upstream Counselling or its staff. Information obtained from this site does not substitute for a thorough medical and/or psychiatric evaluation by an appropriately credentialed and licensed professional.
