Couples&
Relationship
Therapy
Understanding the patterns that live between us
Couples Therapy in Maple Ridge & Online Across BC
Relationships can be some of our greatest sources of love,
and some of our greatest triggers and mirrors.
Being close to another person means eventually seeing many sides of each other, including the parts that can be difficult to understand or navigate.
Couples therapy offers a space to slow down, make sense of these patterns, and learn new ways of relating that support both partners and the relationship itself.
You Might Notice That:
• The same arguments keep happening, even when neither of you wants them to
• Small moments quickly turn into bigger reactions or disconnection
• One or both of you feel misunderstood, unseen, or alone in the relationship
• Certain behaviours or reactions from your partner feel especially triggering
• Conversations about difficult topics feel impossible or escalate quickly
• One partner tends to withdraw while the other pushes for connection
• Trust, safety, or emotional closeness has been impacted
• Intimacy or sexual connection has become difficult to navigate
• You both care about the relationship but feel stuck in patterns you don’t know how to shift
How I Work With Couples
My approach to couples therapy is grounded in curiosity, respect, and the understanding that every relationship is shaped by the histories and experiences each person brings into it.
Rather than focusing only on the surface of conflict, we spend time exploring the patterns that tend to unfold between you, how each of you responds when something feels difficult, how misunderstandings grow, and what may be happening underneath those moments.
Often, the goal is not to determine who is right or wrong, but to slow things down enough that both people can begin to understand each other more clearly.
At the beginning of our work together, I will usually meet with each partner individually for a session. These conversations allow me to better understand your personal histories, your experiences of the relationship, and the perspectives each of you bring into the work.
After these initial meetings, we will continue meeting together as a couple. At times during the therapy process, it may also be helpful to return to individual sessions briefly if something arises that would benefit from additional space and reflection.
This structure helps create a fuller understanding of the relationship
while also supporting each partner as an individual within it.
Couples therapy is not about fixing one person or assigning blame.
Instead, it becomes a space where both partners can begin to see the patterns that shape the relationship and explore new ways of responding to each other.
Relationships often bring forward parts of ourselves that are difficult to see on our own, and therapy can become a space where those moments are approached with greater understanding and care.
A Balanced and Supportive Space
In couples therapy, my role is not to take sides but to support both partners in feeling heard and understood. Together we work toward creating greater clarity, compassion, and communication within the relationship.
When Relationships Feel Stuck
Relationships inevitably bring forward parts of ourselves that can be difficult to navigate. At times, couples find themselves caught in patterns that neither partner intended but that continue to repeat.
Therapy offers a space to pause, understand these patterns more clearly, and begin responding to each other in new ways.
If you're wondering whether couples therapy might be helpful, you're welcome to reach out for a 15-minute consultationto explore whether working together feels right for you.
Couples Therapy FAQs
Do both partners need to attend couples therapy?
In most cases, couples therapy works best when both partners participate. This allows the relationship patterns between you to be explored together. At times, individual sessions also are included as part of the process.
Do you take sides in couples therapy?
No. My role is not to determine who is right or wrong, but to support both partners in feeling heard and understood. In couples therapy we focus on the patterns that develop between people and work toward creating new ways of communicating and responding to each other.
What if my partner is unsure about therapy?
It is very common for one partner to feel more ready than the other. Sometimes a brief conversation about what therapy might involve can help reduce uncertainty.
A consultation can be a low-pressure way to explore whether this work might feel helpful.
What happens during couples therapy sessions?
Couples therapy sessions involve guided conversation, reflection, and exploration of relational patterns. We may slow down difficult interactions, explore underlying emotions and needs, and begin developing new ways of communicating and responding to one another.
How long does couples therapy take?
The length of therapy varies depending on the couple and the concerns being explored. Some couples attend for a shorter period to work through a specific challenge, while others choose to continue longer to support deeper relational change.
Can couples therapy help if we argue a lot?
Many couples seek therapy because recurring arguments or misunderstandings have become difficult to navigate. Therapy can help partners understand what is happening beneath those conflicts and develop healthier ways of communicating.
EMDR Therapy in Maple Ridge & Online
I offer EMDR therapy in person in Maple Ridge, BC and virtually across British Columbia.
Sessions are available for individuals looking to process trauma, shift long-standing patterns, and reconnect with a greater sense of inner stability.
Many people aren’t sure whether EMDR is the right approach for them. A brief consultation gives us a chance to talk about what you’re experiencing and see if this type of therapy may be supportive for you.