My partner doesn't want to come. Can I do couples work alone?

Yes. Individual therapy focused on relationship patterns can help you understand your dynamics and change your own contributions to the cycle. Many partners become open to joint therapy after seeing changes from individual work.

Can couples therapy help after infidelity?

Yes. Infidelity repair involves understanding what created vulnerability in the relationship, processing the betrayal for the hurt partner, and rebuilding trust through consistent action over time.

Can partners join couples therapy from different locations?

Yes, partners can join from separate locations across Ontario and BC. Where partners are in different provinces, licensing depends on where each partner is located; the intake process confirms what's possible.

Couples Therapy & Marriage Counselling

Real Life Counselling · Serving Ontario & British Columbia

Online couples therapy, marriage counselling, and relationship counselling for partners across Ontario and BC. Whether you’re navigating chronic conflict, healing after betrayal, considering separation, or simply trying to reconnect after years on autopilot, our Registered Psychotherapists are trained in the most evidence-based models for couples work, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method.

Most couples begin within 3 to 7 days
EFT-trained therapists
LGBTQ+ & poly-friendly
Covered by most extended health benefits

Start Couples Therapy Speak to Someone Today

All new couples begin with a brief intake so we can ensure the best therapist match.

Couples therapy and marriage counselling at Real Life Counselling

Insurance coverage: Covered by most extended health plans. Receipts provided; direct billing available with many providers.

BC & Ontario: Sessions are provided virtually to partners in British Columbia and Ontario.

No referral required: A doctor’s referral is not typically needed to begin.

What is couples therapy?

Couples therapy is structured, evidence-based work that helps partners understand the patterns underneath their conflict, repair connection, and build a different way of being together. Unlike general advice or solo reflection, couples therapy brings both partners into the same room, virtually, in our case, with a trained therapist who can name what’s happening between you in real time.

Most couples come to therapy when they’ve been stuck in the same fight, same disconnection, or same shutdown for months or years. The work isn’t about deciding who’s right. It’s about understanding the deeper pattern, the dance you’ve gotten into without meaning to, and learning how to step out of it together.

Decades of research show couples therapy works. The most studied approaches (Emotionally Focused Therapy and the Gottman Method) show roughly 70 to 75% of couples experience meaningful improvement, and most retain those gains long-term.

Marriage counselling

Marriage counselling is couples therapy specifically for married partners, though the techniques and frameworks are the same. The clinical work doesn’t change based on whether you have a marriage certificate; what matters is the relationship itself and the patterns you’ve built.

Couples seeking marriage counselling often come in carrying years of accumulated hurt, missed bids for connection, and the quiet question of whether the marriage can still work. We hold both possibilities, that the marriage can be repaired, or that the work might clarify that it can’t, without pushing you toward either outcome.

Common reasons couples seek marriage counselling:

Recurring arguments that never get resolved
Lost intimacy or emotional distance after years together
Repair after infidelity, betrayal, or major trust breaches
Differing parenting styles or family-of-origin conflicts
Discernment work for partners unsure whether to stay or separate
Major life transitions (becoming parents, career changes, retirement, illness)
Reconnecting after years of running on autopilot as co-managers of a household

Relationship counselling

Relationship counselling is the broader umbrella that includes married couples, common-law partners, engaged couples, dating couples, polyamorous partners, and non-traditional relationships. The framing matters less than the work; what we’re really doing is helping the partnership function better.

Relationship counselling is particularly valuable for:

Pre-marital and engaged couples: building a strong foundation before major commitment
Newly cohabiting partners: navigating the practical and emotional shifts of moving in
Blended families: supporting partners who are bringing children into a new relationship structure
Long-term partners: staying current with each other as life changes
Polyamorous and ENM partners: navigating complexity, communication, and care across multiple relationships

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is the most evidence-based model in couples therapy, developed by Dr. Sue Johnson and supported by decades of clinical research. Our therapists are trained in EFT and use it as the foundation of our couples work; you can read more on our EFT for couples page.

EFT works from a simple but powerful premise: most relationship distress isn’t actually about the surface conflict (whose family to visit, who emptied the dishwasher, who’s parenting “right”). It’s about the underlying emotional bond: whether you can count on your partner to be there for you, whether you feel safe being vulnerable, whether you feel seen and important to them.

When that emotional security feels threatened, partners get stuck in protective cycles: one chases connection, the other withdraws to protect themselves, and the pattern reinforces itself. EFT helps couples see the cycle, understand the deeper longings underneath it, and build a different way of meeting each other.

Our approach: evidence-based frameworks

We integrate techniques from the most respected researchers in couples therapy:

Dr. Sue Johnson: Emotionally Focused Therapy, the gold standard for couples work
Drs. John & Julie Gottman: the Gottman Method, based on 40+ years of research on what predicts relationship success vs. distress
Dr. Gary Chapman: The Five Love Languages framework for understanding how partners give and receive love
Dr. William Glasser: Choice Theory and Reality Therapy for understanding how we meet our needs in relationships

These frameworks aren’t applied generically. Your therapist integrates what’s most relevant to your specific patterns, history, and goals as a couple.

What we help couples work through

Communication breakdowns: the same fight on repeat, walking on eggshells, or shutting down to avoid conflict
Conflict resolution: learning how to disagree without damaging the relationship
Trust repair: rebuilding after infidelity, dishonesty, or major breaches
Lost intimacy: emotional, physical, or both
Jealousy and insecurity: when one or both partners struggle with trust or self-worth
Parenting disagreements: when you and your partner approach raising kids differently
Blended family dynamics: navigating ex-partners, step-children, and divided loyalties
Cohabitation challenges: the practical and emotional work of sharing a life
Pre-marital planning: building a strong foundation before commitment
Discernment work: clarifying whether to stay or separate when one or both partners are unsure
Reconnection: finding each other again after years of being co-managers instead of partners

Inclusive couples therapy: LGBTQ+ & poly-friendly

Real Life Counselling is an inclusive practice. We work with couples and partnerships of all configurations: same-sex couples, gender-diverse partners, polyamorous and ethically non-monogamous relationships, and any partnership structure that works for the people in it.

Our therapists understand that LGBTQ+ couples and poly partnerships face unique dynamics: minority stress, navigating family acceptance, structural complexity, and finding therapists who actually get it. You won’t have to educate us. We meet you where you are.

How online couples therapy works

Online couples therapy is highly effective and often more practical than in-person sessions. Research confirms virtual couples therapy produces outcomes comparable to in-person care. For most couples, the convenience makes it actually sustainable.

1. You reach out

Fill out our intake form. We respond within one business day. We’ll ask a few questions about what’s bringing you in, what you’ve tried before, and what you’re hoping for.

2. We match you with the right therapist

A real person reviews your intake and matches you with the couples therapist best suited to your situation. Not algorithmic; human-assessed.

3. You and your partner join the first session

Sessions happen via secure video on a PHIPA-compliant platform. You can join from the same room, or from separate locations if scheduling demands it; many couples do their session from work or while traveling.

4. You do the work

Most couples start with weekly sessions and move to bi-weekly as work progresses. Sessions are 50 minutes. There’s no commitment beyond what you choose. Most couples report meaningful change within 8 to 12 sessions.

Meet your couples therapists

You’ll work with a Registered Psychotherapist licensed by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) or a Registered Clinical Counsellor licensed in British Columbia (BCACC). All our couples therapists are trained in evidence-based approaches including EFT.

Ashley Kreze, MA, RP, RCCFounder & Clinical DirectorRegistered Psychotherapist (Ontario) and Registered Clinical Counsellor (BC). EFT Level 1 trained with 17+ years of clinical experience. Specializes in couples work, infidelity repair, and complex relational patterns.Read Ashley’s full bio →

Jason Brereton, RPRegistered PsychotherapistRegistered Psychotherapist (Ontario, CRPO) supporting couples through communication breakdowns, conflict, and reconnection work with a warm, integrative approach.Read Jason’s full bio →

Sandy Ghobrial, RPRegistered PsychotherapistRegistered Psychotherapist (Ontario, CRPO) working with couples across communication, identity work, and life transitions with an evidence-informed, compassionate style.Read Sandy’s full bio →

All couples are matched with one of our therapists during intake. If the match doesn’t feel right after the first few sessions, we’ll help you find a better fit.

Cost & insurance coverage

We aim to make couples therapy accessible and the cost predictable:

Sessions are 50 minutes.
Direct billing is available with many extended health benefits providers.
Receipts for insurance. If we don’t direct bill your provider, you’ll receive detailed receipts for reimbursement.
Sessions with Registered Psychotherapists (RPs) are typically covered under “Psychotherapy” categories on most Ontario extended health plans.
Sessions with Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) are typically covered under “Counselling” categories on most BC extended health plans.

Reach out and we’ll help you figure out coverage before your first session.

Frequently asked questions about couples therapy

What’s the difference between couples therapy, marriage counselling, and relationship counselling?

Practically, the work is the same. “Marriage counselling” specifically refers to therapy for married partners. “Couples therapy” is broader and includes married couples, common-law partners, and dating couples. “Relationship counselling” is the widest term and includes any partnership configuration, including polyamorous and non-traditional relationships. The clinical techniques (EFT, Gottman Method, communication work) apply regardless of the label.

Does couples therapy actually work?

Yes. Decades of research show evidence-based couples therapy (especially EFT and the Gottman Method) produces meaningful improvement in roughly 70 to 75% of couples, with most maintaining gains long-term. The biggest predictor of success is engagement: couples who do the work between sessions, not just during them.

How long does couples therapy take?

Most couples experience meaningful change within 8 to 12 sessions. Couples in crisis or working through complex issues (infidelity, long-term distance, major life transitions) often need 15 to 25+ sessions. The timeline depends on what you’re working through, how stuck the patterns are, and how willing both partners are to engage.

My partner doesn’t want to come. Can I do this alone?

Yes. Individual therapy focused on relationship patterns can help you understand your dynamics, change your own contributions to the cycle, and decide what you need; see our individual counselling. Many partners become open to joint therapy after seeing changes in their partner from individual work.

Can you help couples after infidelity?

Yes. Infidelity repair is among the most common reasons couples seek therapy. The work involves understanding what created vulnerability in the relationship, processing the betrayal trauma for the hurt partner, and rebuilding trust through consistent action over time. Many couples emerge from this work with a relationship that’s stronger than what they had before the affair.

What if we’re not sure whether to stay together?

Discernment counselling is specifically designed for partners who are uncertain about staying. Rather than diving into couples work that assumes you both want to repair the relationship, discernment work helps you both clarify what you actually want: committing to therapy together, separating with clarity, or continuing as you are. We can hold this work without pushing you toward any specific outcome.

Is online couples therapy as effective as in-person?

Research confirms online couples therapy produces outcomes comparable to in-person therapy. For most couples, the convenience makes it more sustainable: no commute, easier scheduling, and the ability to join from work or travel. Many couples find the home environment actually helps them be more authentic, since they’re already in their relationship space.

Do you work with LGBTQ+ and polyamorous couples?

Yes. We work with same-sex couples, gender-diverse partners, polyamorous and ethically non-monogamous relationships, and any partnership configuration that works for the people in it. Our therapists understand the unique dynamics involved. You won’t need to educate us.

What if my partner and I live in different cities or provinces?

Sessions can be conducted with both partners joining from their respective locations, and we work with couples across Ontario and BC. Where partners are in different provinces, licensing requirements depend on where each of you is located; mention it in your intake and we’ll confirm what’s possible for your situation before you begin.

How much does couples therapy cost?

Couples therapy costs in Canada typically range from $150 to $250+ per session. Sessions with a Registered Psychotherapist (Ontario) or Registered Clinical Counsellor (BC) are typically covered under extended health benefits, and we offer direct billing with many providers. Reach out and we can help you understand your coverage.

Ready to start couples therapy?

You don’t need to know exactly what’s wrong. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to reach out, and we’ll take it from there. Most couples have their first session within a week.