Couples Therapy

Couples therapy helps reduce conflict and improves your significant relationship. Emotionally fulfilling relationships are essential to our mental and physical health. Research has shown that supportive marriages and positive relationships reduce the negative impact of severe stress.

Utilizing emotionally focused couples therapy we improve patterns of communicating and restore intimacy between partners. We help couples move from a “blaming stance” to learning how to identify and request their needs in the couple relationship.  Strong emotions of anger and acts of distancing are explored in a safe, contained environment.

The goal of therapy is to address unmet emotional needs underlying conflict and subsequently strengthen attachments and foster healthy relationships.

 “… maybe emotional connection between people is like oxygen .. maybe isolation is actually dangerous for us.  Attachment theory turns this mystery of love into an open book …” (Dr. Sue Johnson)

AFFAIRS

Affairs are the ultimate betrayal and can shatter the foundation of a relationship. They are also very common. Affairs, however, do not need to be the end of a relationship. The majority of couples who do experience infidelity stay together.

Discovering your partner is having an affair is a traumatic experience. It is traumatic because it shatters one’s belief system and threatens your sense of self. Infidelity is a violation of trust that creates an identity crisis. Healing from the pain of the betrayal is a necessary step before addressing the issues in the relationship and exploring the circumstances that lead to the affair.

It takes a tremendous amount of courage, effort and commitment to stay together after an affair. Affairs will alter the relationship significantly. It is up to the couple in the relationship how the relationship will change. Some couples stay together and do not get past the pain and betrayal while others are able to use the traumatic experience as an opportunity to change their relationship for the better.

Getting to the point of deciding to stay in the relationship or end the relationship will force people to ask important questions and often facilitates deep, thoughtful conversations. Therapy can facilitate these discussions of enquiry and may promote increase intimacy – emotionally and physically.

At Hicks Counselling Services, we can help people heal and grow from the crisis of infidelity. It is possible to heal from the pain and to rebuild trust in the relationship and for some couples even add more passion and vitality to their lives.

Feel free to call Margaret directly at 416-822-9659 to book an initial appointment for couples therapy today.