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What is Couples Counselling?
Couples counselling, also known as marriage or relationship therapy, is a specialized form of counselling designed to help couples navigate the challenges and complexities that can arise in intimate relationships. It provides a safe and supportive environment where couples can explore their issues, communicate more effectively, and work together to create positive changes in their relationship.
How Couples Counselling Works: A Step-by-Step Guide
Couples counselling can be a powerful tool for navigating challenges and strengthening your relationship. Here’s a breakdown of the typical process:
1. Initial Assessment:
- Meeting the Therapist: The first step is usually an initial assessment session, where you and your partner meet with the couples counselling therapist.
- Understanding Your Story: During this session, the therapist will ask questions about your relationship history, current areas of conflict, and what you both hope to achieve through therapy. This helps the therapist understand your unique situation and goals.
- Tailored Approach: Based on the information gathered, the therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan specific to your needs. This plan might involve specific techniques or approaches that address your identified issues.
2. Communication and Understanding:
- Safe Space for Dialogue: couples counselling sessions typically involve both partners attending together. The therapist facilitates open and honest communication, ensuring a safe space for each of you to express your thoughts, feelings, and concerns without judgment.
- Active Listening and Empathy: The therapist plays a crucial role in guiding the conversation. They encourage active listening, where each partner focuses on understanding the other’s perspective. The therapist also fosters empathy, helping you see things from each other’s point of view.
- Constructive Expression: Through active listening and guidance, the therapist helps you express your thoughts and feelings in a constructive way. This can involve learning healthier communication skills, managing difficult emotions, and avoiding blame.
3. Building Stronger Connections:
- Identifying Underlying Issues: As couples counselling progresses, the therapist may help you identify deeper issues that might be contributing to your conflicts. These could be past experiences, communication styles, or unmet needs.
- Conflict Resolution Skills: You will learn practical tools and techniques to manage conflict in a more positive and productive way. This can involve learning to compromise, set boundaries, and navigate disagreements effectively.
- Rebuilding Trust and Intimacy: Through improved communication and conflict resolution, couples counselling can help rebuild trust and emotional intimacy in the relationship. The therapist can guide you in reconnecting with each other and strengthening your bond.
4. Progress and Outcomes:
- Homework and Practice: The therapist might assign homework exercises to practice the skills learned in sessions between sessions. This helps you solidify positive changes in your communication and interaction.
- Reviewing Progress: Regularly, you’ll discuss your progress with the therapist. This allows you to assess your goals and adjust the therapy plan as needed.
- Ending Couples Counselling: The ultimate goal is for you to develop the skills and understanding to navigate challenges and maintain a healthy relationship on your own. Once you’ve achieved your goals, you can decide to end therapy or continue with occasional sessions for maintenance.
Who Are We?
Tanis is a Registered Social Worker and has spent over 24 years of meticulous self-study. She has been providing couples counselling and therapy in many aspects and different settings for over 20 years. Tanis works with clients of varying ages including children, teens and adults. She lives in Barrie, enjoying the outdoors, with her four children and husband. She is actively involved in a local church and has volunteered her time with coordinating and leading the “Mom’s Need a Break” group, supporting children to cope with their grief and loss through the Rainbows Program, and facilitating various spiritual Small Groups. Tanis has also found pleasure and has had the opportunity to be a motivational speaker inspiring others to believe in one’s own worth.
She is dedicated to empowering her clients by providing them with the tools they need to live more fulfilling and successful lives. Many of Tanis’s clients have enjoyed her non-judgmental, honest and caring style. She is respectful and takes the time to fully understand the problems of her clients.
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We take a non-bias, solution focused approach with all our clients so you can feel confident expressing yourself in a safe space. You don’t have to feel the way you do, let’s get started today and start feeling better!