Relationship & Couples Therapy
We are living in a time where relationships are self-defined whether they are closed monogamous, open sexually, or go beyond the dyadic and involve a polycule. I approach each voluntary relationship structure without judgment or expectation.
Many aspects of our early lives, such as our attachment systems, childhood experiences, and the models of relationships we were exposed to, impact our relationship experiences in the present both consciously and unconsciously. Healthy relationships offer secure attachment, trust, communication, sexual connection, and a commitment to personal growth (and facilitating growth in the other(s)).
All relationships have cycles of rupture and hopefully repair and like any collaborative endeavor, they go through periods of struggle, instability, or rough patches.
Central to the way I work is an understanding that there is both a conscious (known) and unconscious (out of awareness) relationship dually occurring, and one is informing the other. Working with the conscious relationship is about improving communication and emotional regulation while working with the unconscious elements involves exploration of the deeper elements informing the unconscious couple ‘fit’ with the goal of helping the relationship to continue to grow and develop in a nourishing way.
I facilitate conversation between partners so that they can discover the avenues and obstacles to connection in their relationships. Often this involves understanding how early relationships inform our patterns of relating to others.
My approach to relationship counselling
In relationship therapy, we explore how conflicted patterns are enacted, why this occurs and what it means and we evaluate how the relationship itself can support each person’s needs.
I work with couples using several approaches which are intended to address difficulties in the following areas:
Communication difficulties
Repetitive conflict cycles
Navigating relationship boundaries
Open and polyamorous relationships
Work/relationship balance
Loss of connection and fear of ending the relationship
Ending of relationships
Ambivalence and loss of spark
Crossed wires and difficulties understanding each other
Affairs - emotional and physical
Polyamorous, multiple partner configurations and other contemporary models of relationship
Sexually open relationships - contracts
Complex attachment differences in couples
Enhancing emotional and sexual connections
Kink/BDSM and power dynamics
Special services
Pre-marriage counselling/ Education
Six to eight sessions - learn about my Premarital Counselling here >
Relationship Check-up – Assessment
Feedback and recommendations about the strengths and vulnerabilities of your relationship - contact me to find out more >