HOW I CAN HELP
An Overview of Couples Counselling
Couples counselling helps get you get back on track, learn new relationship & communication skills and develop the necessary habits and routines to sustain long-term successful relationships. Here’s more specifics about how couples counselling helps.
Exploration – opening up and getting the issues on the table
We start with an exploration of yourself, your partner, your relationship and your life. Most couples experience a deep sense of relief and optimism when they begin to open up and and get the issues on the table – without arguing and conflict. They begin to really “hear each other,” often for the first time in a long time. Conflict is the result of a lack of listening and understanding. Amazing things can happen when communication opens up! For Learning and growing requires that you try new things and reflect on new ways of talking and communicating. This exploration takes courage and commitment. It also requires an atmosphere of safety, trust and mutual respect. It’s my job to create a safe place for you and your partner in this process of discovery.
Getting back on track
Now we begin to tackle the specific issues – sex, money, kids, time, in-laws and anything else that comes up. Couples counselling helps by teaching skills and tools that enable you to begin resolving long standing issues and concerns. The biggest complaint I get from couples that have been in counselling previously is that they didn’t get the tools that worked outside the counsellor’s office. All couples must be able to express dissatisfaction, however, they must learn how do it effectively, that is, in a way that’s responsible.
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Couples counselling helps more when you take home a road map
I design a customized “relationship road map” for each couple depending on their situation, needs and circumstances. I’m a practical counsellor – you get a customized program (based upon your initial assessment), customized homework, email correspondence/feedback and reading assignments. Individual sessions are typically booked for 1 hour and couples sessions 1.5 hours.
Who you choose to entrust your relationship life to
could be the most important decision of your lifetime.
Phone counselling alternative to in-office therapy
Advantages
Unlike other forms of counselling, telephone couples counselling helps because it’s potentially free of certain constraining factors that affect traditional therapy, including geography, time duration, and cost, making this form of counseling more accessible for a number of people who would be unable to attend traditional psychotherapy.
It also provides a degree of anonymity that is comforting to some callers, reducing the intimidation that some people may feel at the prospect of seeking treatment with a traditional in-person therapist and encouraging disclosure. Also research shows telephone counseling to have better results among patients with depression.
Disadvantages
Being physically present with a counsellor may help you feel more connected to them; the phone may contribute to “distance” in the therapeutic relationship.
Some people feel safer letting themselves become emotional in the physical presence of another person. Location of client’s day-to-day life may interfere with the ability to focus during the session.
Phone counselling is not appropriate for people who are homicidal, suicidal, self injuring, or requiring more care than one session per week.
Services & Fees
In-office and phone / video counselling
Initial Consultation
(65 minutes) $200.00 +GST
$225.00/hr. Specially priced counselling packages are available.
Many insurance companies provide coverage for Registered Social Workers.
Explore the possibilities. Connect with your heart. Restore your relationship.
To start working with Sig, please click Request Appointment below.