Many couples who come to us have struggled for years having the same argument over and over again, feeling the same dissatisfaction and experiencing the same loneliness in their partnership. It can be difficult to change well-established patterns after such a long time of shaping them. If you are struggling with your relationship, don’t feel connected to your partner, or if either of your trust has been broken, reach out to us today for couples therapy. Research shows that in any relationship it takes five positive interactions to outweigh a single negative experience. Let us work with you to start creating those positives again.
As experienced couples therapists, we support you to actively engage with each other in an emotionally safe way. Sharing deeper feelings with each other in an atmosphere of empathy and shared vulnerability deepens intimacy while promoting mature interdependence and healing process. This will ultimately help improve communication and connection in your relationship.
When there has been a betrayal of trust, an affair or infidelity, it can be a devastating time for the couple. Very often the injured partner finds themselves in the dilemma of whether they want to stay or leave the relationship. You might struggle with thinking, “I always said, if this happened to me I would never stay”, but finding yourself wanting to work it out. This is a confusing place to be and a good place to seek help.
The partner who did the betrayal or committed infidelity is usually remorseful and wants to repair the relationship, but is unsure how. In our counselling sessions, we will discuss the impact the affair or the betrayal had on the relationship and look at what was happening in the relationship that led to this place. We will also look at the interactional cycle between the two of you that was happening currently and prior to the betrayal or infidelity and find a way to repair that to prevent further betrayals.
We recognize that not all betrayals are related to affairs. We can support you with any type of broken trust that you have experienced in your relationship.
Set up your first appointment and learn new tools to repair your relationship.
Whether your marriage is suffering due to poor communication, family-related interference, infidelity, substance abuse issues, or anything in-between, we strive to support you in finding resolutions. A stable marriage is built on love and trust, and perhaps something has happened to make it difficult to do either. We can help both of you re-identify what’s valuable and unique about your relationship – moving past hurt and frustration and towards reconnecting and repairing the marriage together. You and your partner will be given equal consideration throughout our counselling sessions.
Every relationship is built on the efforts of two individuals, who work together to maintain it and grow collectively. However, sometimes we need to take the time away from our significant other to piece together how to best move forward, free of emotional distraction and stress. By taking the time to discuss the relationship from your perspective with one of our knowledgeable specialists, you can learn how to strengthen bonds and develop an even more intimate and personal relationship with that special someone.
When one partner feels that counselling would be beneficial but the other is reluctant, the willing partner can attend on their own and learn how to make improvements on their end. Your partner may be willing to attend later as they see you making changes to improve your relationship.
Our goal with couples therapy for one is the same as if both partners were there. We will listen to you and your story, try to help you gain a different perspective, and help you communicate in a way your partner is likely to hear you.
As one person learns to stop acting in anger or withdrawing and to give forth radically more positive energy – more affection, appreciation, playfulness, insight, and willingness to listen and apologize for mistakes – both spouses will begin to feel better. In turn, feeling better builds patience for handling problems in a more respectful way and it builds a new basis of trust to open up to each other fully again.
As experienced couples therapists, we support you to actively engage with each other in an emotionally safe way. Sharing deeper feelings with each other in an atmosphere of empathy and shared vulnerability deepens intimacy while promoting mature interdependence and healing process. This will ultimately help improve communication and connection in your relationship.
The first and subsequent couples therapy sessions will last 75 minutes.
At some point, your therapist will meet with you and your partner individually. These sessions are 60 minutes.
At the first meeting you will provide us with a history of your situation and allow you to express your goals for therapy and your relationship.
In our discussion, we will support you in understanding your interactional cycle that is creating difficulties in your relationship. Most couples find themselves in a negative loop or cycle and struggle to manage it. This is normal!
When you are close to a situation, it can be difficult to navigate, and an outside observer can support you in developing tools to get out of it. Our goal is to support you, so you don’t need us as much or not at all.
Yes. You do not need to wait for your partner to be ready. Vaughan Relationship Centre offers Couples Counselling for One, which allows you to work on your relationship, understand the patterns between you and your partner, and explore changes you can make from your side of the relationship.
If you later decide to begin couples therapy together, however, you will usually need to work with a different therapist. This helps ensure the couples therapist can remain neutral and create a balanced space where both partners feel heard and supported.
In rare situations, an individual therapist may be able to transition into working with the couple, but this is not typically recommended and would depend on the specific circumstances.
It depends on the therapist, the type of therapy you are looking for, and whether you prefer in-person or virtual sessions. Contact us and we can look at current availability and help match you with the therapist who best fits your needs.
If getting started quickly is important to you, let us know when you reach out so we can look at the earliest available options.
We are unable to accommodate same-day appointments, as the intake process requires time to complete and set up properly before services can begin. Contact our office and we can let you know what is currently available.
Vaughan Relationship Centre is not an emergency or crisis service. If you are experiencing an immediate mental health emergency, please call 911, visit your nearest emergency department, or contact a crisis service in your area.
There is no single schedule that is right for everyone.
Many people begin with weekly or biweekly sessions, particularly when they are actively trying to change a relationship pattern, work through a difficult period, or build momentum in therapy. As things improve, sessions may become less frequent.
Monthly appointments can sometimes work well for maintenance or ongoing support, but your therapist will recommend a schedule based on your goals, needs, availability, and progress.
It depends on what brings you to therapy, how long the problem has been happening, and what you would like to change.
Some clients notice significant progress within 8 to 10 sessions. Couples working on more established relationship patterns may benefit from approximately 12 to 20 sessions, although there is no required number. Some clients need fewer sessions, while others may need more depending on their situation.
The work you do between sessions also makes a difference. Practising the strategies you discuss with your therapist and applying what you are learning in everyday life can help you make progress more quickly and may reduce the number of sessions you need.
Your therapist will continue to check in with you about your goals and progress rather than keeping you in therapy longer than you need.
Availability varies by therapist. Some therapists offer evening appointments, although those times can be popular and may fill quickly.
Weekend availability should be confirmed with our administrative team when you contact us. We can help you find the best combination of therapist, appointment time, and in-person or virtual availability.
Absolutely. Your relationship with your therapist matters.
Sometimes a therapist can be highly qualified and still not feel like the right fit for you. If that happens, please let us know. We would much rather help connect you with another therapist on our team than have you stop therapy because the first match did not feel right.
Our admin team can help you consider another therapist based on personality, approach, expertise, availability, and what you are hoping to work on.
In some cases, yes.
We may be able to direct bill your insurance provider depending on your individual benefits plan. Because insurance coverage varies significantly, we recommend checking whether your plan covers services provided by a Registered Social Worker.
Fees vary depending on the therapist’s experience, the type of appointment, and the length of the session. Couples counselling starts at $190 per 75 minute session, with more senior therapists charging a higher rate.
Rather than having one clinic-wide rate, each VRC therapist has their own fee structure. We will confirm the cost with you before you begin so you know exactly what your sessions will cost.
Couples sessions at VRC are generally 75 minutes, while individual sessions are typically 60 minutes.
We do not currently advertise a traditional sliding-scale program.
However, Vaughan Relationship Centre does offer reduced rates with our junior therapists or interns, when available. Our Junior therapists have already completed their professional education and receive specialized couples therapy training and ongoing clinical supervision through VRC.
If cost is making therapy difficult to access, please ask us about lower-fee options when you contact us.
Unfortunately, VRC’s therapy services are currently available to Ontario residents only, including virtual therapy. Our therapists are registered clinicians in the province of Ontario and are not able to practice outside of the province.
If you live elsewhere in Canada or outside Canada, we may be able to suggest that you look for a therapist who is licensed or registered to practise where you live.
We understand why you might feel that way, especially when your relationship feels overwhelming and you are afraid of losing it.
A couples therapist will not make the decision for you or tell you that you must stay together or separate. What we can do is help you understand what has been happening between you, identify the patterns that are keeping you stuck, have difficult conversations more safely, and develop practical ways to respond differently to one another.
If one or both of you are unsure whether you want to remain in the relationship, discernment counselling may also be an option. The goal is to help you gain clarity about what comes next, not pressure you toward a particular decision.
VRC primarily specializes in relationships, couples, individuals, and families rather than traditional child therapy. We work with anyone 16 years old or older.
Many couples who come to us have struggled for years, having the same argument over and over again, feeling the same dissatisfaction, and experiencing the same loneliness in their partnership. It can be difficult to change well-established patterns after such a long time of shaping them.
Contact us to set up your first appointment and learn new tools to repair your relationship.
