Couples Therapy – Edmonton

Name: Boost Psychology
Address: 2307 - 90B Street SW, Edmonton, AB, T6X 0P4
Telephone: 780-628-5446

couples therapy edmonton - argument - boost psychology

Boost Psychology is proud to offer couples therapy and believe it is an integral part to healthy couples and families. We welcome all couples and family structures to our practice. The relationship we have with our significant other is so important to our overall health and wellness. When this relationship is not functioning at its best, the results can be devastating. People may find that they experience fatigue in their day to day, frustration, anger, pain, lack of motivation, and fears for the future. It is normal for couples to go through periods where they are closer than others. At times, our relationships are working well, and other times they take a lot of work. So how will you know if what you’re experiencing is normal fluctuations in the relationship, and how will you know when things are more serious and need addressing?

Couples Therapy – Edmonton
Registered Psychologists
South Edmonton Couples Counselling
780-628-5446
2307 – 90B Street SW Edmonton
click for Directions
*just off of Ellerslie Road on 91 St. – Located in Summerside
Book an Appointment Online

When couples therapy may be helpful:

Being emotionally distant from each other. You may feel more like roommates than partners.
Frequent and unresolvable conflict.
Poor or different communication styles.
When you have a specific issue that is unresolvable. For example, finances, sexual difficulties, affairs/infidelity, or parenting.
Premarital counseling – to have a chance to discuss the big issues before they become issues.

Couples therapy can be an emotional topic for relationships. It’s common for one party to want to attend while the other is unsure. People regularly start couples’ therapy after they have been unsuccessful in solving their issues and they have been present for some time. When people arrive, there is often a distance that has developed between them. This can be a painful place to be in, as well as detrimental to the relationship. In this state, its common for one partner to want to work on things and the other to be indifferent. This makes successful couples’ therapy quite difficult. Timing is important when you decide to work on couples’ issues. The earlier people come, the easier it is to resolve their issues before distance sets in and takes its toll. It’s valuable to attend couples’ therapy before you are considering separation. If separation is on the table, couples’ therapy may still be beneficial. Don’t wait until things are critical.

When is couples’ therapy not appropriate:

When there is domestic violence.
Where the issue is related specifically to an individual. For example, past trauma, abuse, or mental health concerns. In these cases, it’s best to work in individual therapy.
When one person is being forced to attend couples’ therapy.

According to the Gottman Institute, there are four Horseman of the Apocalypse that predict relationship failure.

Criticism – verbally attacking your partner’s character, personality, or traits.
Contempt – attempting to insult or abuse your partner by attacking their sense of self.
Defensiveness – trying to reverse the blame in a situation, by victimizing yourself and making the other person look bad.
Stonewalling – withdrawing to avoid conflict and punish the other person through distance.

This video further explains The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse according to the Gottman Method.

There are different theories of couples’ therapy that your psychologist may draw from. At Boost, our couple’s therapist is trained in The Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Both theoretical approaches are evidence-based, meaning there has been a substantial amount of research that confirms their effectiveness. Check out the video below that explains how EFT works.

When you arrive for your first session there will be a few forms to fill out. The first session is where each of you shares your concerns and what brings you to therapy. Your psychologist will work with you to further understand the issue and work to create goals for the sessions. Your time in session is a great place to learn skills that will assist the relationship – once you leave the session is where you can practice the skills learned with your partner in real life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I know about attending?

When you arrive for your first session there will be a few forms to fill out. The first session is where each of you share your concerns and what brings you to therapy. Your psychologist will work with you to further understand the issue and work to create goals for the relationship. Your time in session is a great place to learn skills that you can practice in real life. The intention is that the therapy session is a safe place to discuss your concerns and reflect on the skill-building that you practiced during the week.

What will I learn in couples’ therapy?

There are many tools available to assist couples in developing better communication skills, improved understanding of each other, and ways to promote closeness. Your psychologist will tailor the interventions to where your relationship needs work and promote the areas that are already working great!

How long does couples therapy take?

This depends on the issue and how committed the couple is to practice the skills learned in therapy at home. Your psychologist will be able to provide an estimate when a treatment plan has been developed.

edmonton couples therapy - elderly couple - boost psychology Relationships can be difficult, and when they aren’t working well can become tiresome. Luckily, there are evidence-based treatments out there to assist in creating a mutually fulfilling relationship. The first step of seeking help is often the most challenging for people. The thought of putting yourself in a new situation with someone you don’t know to talk about your relationship can be overwhelming. The benefit of attending therapy to share issues is that it keeps both members on track and removes them from the situation to take a critical look at what’s going on and what the meaning of it is. It’s important to choose someone who has advanced training and experience in couples’ therapy.

At Boost, we are a team of competent, ethical psychologists helping people heal. Contact us today to see how we can assist your relationship. Boost Psychology provides treatment for a variety of issues for individuals, couples, and families including depression, anxiety, grief, stress, life transitions, and relationship difficulties. Our therapists have training in various modalities and will work together with you to understand the problem and develop a treatment plan.

Author: Kirsten Klemm