Counselling Availabilities:
Please note that we are currently booked solid for couples counselling and unfortunately cannot accept new referrals. This page will be updated as soon as we are able to take new requests.
We are happy to now offer in-person couples counselling and marriage therapy at Green Leaf Psychological.
We also offer 1:1 counselling for those in unhealthy or abusive relationships and for clients seeking support following a divorce or breakup.
We can accept referrals from anywhere in Nova Scotia.
Ready to get started? Please feel free to book an appointment below.
We also offer 1:1 counselling for those in unhealthy or abusive relationships and for clients seeking support following a divorce or breakup.
We can accept referrals from anywhere in Nova Scotia.
Ready to get started? Please feel free to book an appointment below.
How Is Couples Counselling Different From Individual Therapy?
In contrast to individual therapy, in couples counselling / marriage therapy the relationship itself is the focus of therapy. It addresses the dynamic between two people in a romantic or intimate relationship, how they interact, and how certain habits or patterns can escalate or resolve tension.
Both partners attend the sessions together and the overall goal is to build a healthier, happier, more respectful, and more satisfying relationship.
Often, this means learning new communication skills, working through trust issues, learning how to disagree without fighting, and breaking unhealthy relationship habits that can contribute to feelings of resentment, anger, jealousy, or mistrust.
Both partners attend the sessions together and the overall goal is to build a healthier, happier, more respectful, and more satisfying relationship.
Often, this means learning new communication skills, working through trust issues, learning how to disagree without fighting, and breaking unhealthy relationship habits that can contribute to feelings of resentment, anger, jealousy, or mistrust.
What Are Some Of The Common Concerns Addressed In Couples Counselling?
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• Communication Issues
• Trust Issues • Parenting Differences • Infidelity / Cheating |
• Arguing/ Fighting
• Financial Concerns • Family Problems • Anger Management |
• Abuse
• Intimacy / Sexuality • Career / Work Concerns • Emotional Issues |
What Forms Of Couples Therapy Do We Practice?
Depending on the nature of your concerns, our psychologists and therapists use different methods and interventions to address relationship concerns. For example...
Emotionally Focused Therapy
One of our more common approaches is called “Emotionally Focused Therapy”, often shortened to EFT, which is a marriage and family counselling technique designed to improve the emotional intimacy between couples.
EFT is based on the idea that emotional connection is a foundational element of a healthy relationship, and that fostering an emotionally safe environment is key to achieving it. As such, EFT places a strong emphasis on the expression and validation of emotions, rather than the traditional problem-solving approach commonly used in couples therapy. This helps you build a deeper emotional connection with your partner and a more fulfilling relationship.
During EFT sessions, our therapists will help you and your partner explore your emotions, thoughts and behaviors that are contributing to your relationship struggles. The goal is to help you develop greater emotional awareness and self-reflection, which very often leads to improved communication and more positive interactions.
EFT is an evidence-based therapy and research has shown that it is an effective approach for couples dealing with a wide range of issues, from infidelity to communication difficulties. It also has a high rate of success, with many clients reporting increased satisfaction in their relationships and far less conflict after participating in EFT.
Emotionally Focused Therapy
One of our more common approaches is called “Emotionally Focused Therapy”, often shortened to EFT, which is a marriage and family counselling technique designed to improve the emotional intimacy between couples.
EFT is based on the idea that emotional connection is a foundational element of a healthy relationship, and that fostering an emotionally safe environment is key to achieving it. As such, EFT places a strong emphasis on the expression and validation of emotions, rather than the traditional problem-solving approach commonly used in couples therapy. This helps you build a deeper emotional connection with your partner and a more fulfilling relationship.
During EFT sessions, our therapists will help you and your partner explore your emotions, thoughts and behaviors that are contributing to your relationship struggles. The goal is to help you develop greater emotional awareness and self-reflection, which very often leads to improved communication and more positive interactions.
EFT is an evidence-based therapy and research has shown that it is an effective approach for couples dealing with a wide range of issues, from infidelity to communication difficulties. It also has a high rate of success, with many clients reporting increased satisfaction in their relationships and far less conflict after participating in EFT.
Attachment-Based Therapy
Attachment-based couples therapy (also an evidence-based intervention) is a type of therapy that focuses on the ways that partners relate to each other and the patterns of attachment that have developed in their relationship.
It is based on the theory that our early experiences with caregivers shape our ability to form secure and healthy relationships as adults. In attachment-based couples therapy, a therapist works with you to understand how early attachment experiences and your specific attachment style have influenced your current relationship. Your therapist will also help you develop new ways of relating to each other that are more secure and healthy.
This type of therapy can be especially helpful for couples who are struggling to communicate effectively, have difficulty resolving conflicts, or are struggling to establish emotional intimacy.
Attachment-based couples therapy (also an evidence-based intervention) is a type of therapy that focuses on the ways that partners relate to each other and the patterns of attachment that have developed in their relationship.
It is based on the theory that our early experiences with caregivers shape our ability to form secure and healthy relationships as adults. In attachment-based couples therapy, a therapist works with you to understand how early attachment experiences and your specific attachment style have influenced your current relationship. Your therapist will also help you develop new ways of relating to each other that are more secure and healthy.
This type of therapy can be especially helpful for couples who are struggling to communicate effectively, have difficulty resolving conflicts, or are struggling to establish emotional intimacy.
Will Our Therapist Assign Blame Or Decide Who Is At Fault?
It is important to note that our therapists will not "pick a side" during the sessions. For therapy to be helpful, both partners must feel understood and their concerns validated. If one partner feels attacked the sessions will not be productive. The goal is not to assign blame, but to identify and correct unhealthy relationship patterns.
What Are The Benefits Of Couples Therapy?
Our couples counsellors provide a safe and supportive space for you and your partner improve your relationship and address any difficulties you may be facing. Therapy can help you improve communication, better understand each other's needs, feelings and behaviours, and identify solutions for long-standing issues.
We can provide guidance on managing conflict, expressing feelings, showing empathy for each other's views, managing changes in the relationship, and much more.
The ultimate goal is a stronger connection and more satisfying relationship with your partner.
We can provide guidance on managing conflict, expressing feelings, showing empathy for each other's views, managing changes in the relationship, and much more.
The ultimate goal is a stronger connection and more satisfying relationship with your partner.
Let's Get Started.
If you are ready to address concerns in your relationship and work on a healthier partnership, we would love to assist you.
Please use the contact form below and we will get back to you very soon.
You can also email us with any questions you may have.
Please use the contact form below and we will get back to you very soon.
You can also email us with any questions you may have.
Confidential Contact - Couples Counselling
Green Leaf Psychological - Halifax, Nova Scotia
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After you submit the form, we will definitely get back to you. However, email is sometimes filtered into junk mail folders by mistake.
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Thanks!
After you submit the form, we will definitely get back to you. However, email is sometimes filtered into junk mail folders by mistake.
To prevent this from happening, please add [email protected] to your list of safe contacts...or make sure to check your spam folder if you don't see a reply in your inbox within 24 hours.
Thanks!
Green Leaf Psychological Services, Inc.