What is Couples Therapy?
Couples therapy, also known as marriage counselling or relationship counselling, is a specialized form of psychotherapy designed to help couples improve their relationship dynamics, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their emotional connection. Through evidence-based therapeutic approaches, couples learn practical skills to communicate more effectively, manage disagreements constructively, and rebuild intimacy and trust.
Our Specialized Couples Therapy Services in Calgary
EMDR for Couples Specialized trauma-informed couples therapy using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help couples heal from relationship trauma, betrayal, and past experiences that impact current relationship patterns.
Communication Skills Training Learn effective communication techniques to express needs, listen actively, and resolve conflicts without damaging your relationship. We help couples break destructive communication patterns and build healthy dialogue habits.
Trust Rebuilding and Affair Recovery Comprehensive support for couples recovering from infidelity, emotional affairs, or broken trust. Our structured approach helps couples process betrayal trauma and rebuild stronger foundations for their relationship.
Conflict Resolution and Anger Management Evidence-based strategies to manage relationship conflicts constructively, reduce destructive arguing patterns, and learn to disagree without damaging your emotional connection.
Intimacy and Connection Therapy Address barriers to physical and emotional intimacy, helping couples rediscover passion, deepen their emotional bond, and create meaningful rituals of connection.
Pre-Marital Counselling Prepare for marriage with tools and insights that help you build a strong foundation, understand each other's needs, and develop skills for navigating future challenges together.
Relationship Transitions Support Navigate major life changes together including parenting challenges, career transitions, health issues, blended family dynamics, and other life stressors that impact relationships.
Evidence-Based Therapeutic Approaches
EMDR Therapy for Couples Specialized approach that helps couples process relationship trauma, attachment injuries, and past experiences that create barriers to intimacy and trust.
Gottman Method Couples Therapy Research-based approach focusing on building friendship, managing conflict, and creating shared meaning. The Gottman Method has been proven effective in helping couples strengthen their relationships and prevent future problems.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Attachment-based therapy that helps couples understand their emotional patterns, improve emotional connection, and create secure bonds that withstand life's challenges.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Couples Practical approach that helps couples identify negative thought patterns and behaviors that harm their relationship, replacing them with healthier alternatives.
Trauma-Informed Couples Therapy Specialized care for couples where one or both partners have experienced trauma, helping them understand how past experiences affect current relationship dynamics.
Why Choose Couples Therapy at King Psychology & Health?
Experienced Couples Therapist Led by Lesley King, a registered psychologist with specialized training in couples therapy, EMDR, and trauma-informed care, ensuring you receive knowledgable, compassionate treatment.
Evidence-Based Approach Our couples therapy methods are grounded in research and proven to be effective in helping couples improve their relationships and maintain lasting positive changes.
Safe and Neutral Environment At our Calgary therapy office or online, you will be provided a confidential, non-judgmental space where both partners can express themselves honestly without fear of taking sides or bias.
Flexible and Accessible We offer flexible scheduling to accommodate busy couples, and many insurance plans cover couples therapy services.
LGBTQ+ Affirming We provide inclusive, affirming care for all types of relationships including LGBTQ+ couples, ensuring everyone feels welcome and respected.
What to Expect in Couples Therapy
Initial Assessment (First 1-2 Sessions) We'll meet with both partners together to understand your relationship history, current challenges, and goals for therapy. This helps us create a personalized treatment plan.
Individual Sessions (As Needed) Sometimes individual sessions help address personal issues that impact the relationship, such as trauma, anxiety, or past relationship patterns.
Joint Therapy Sessions Regular couples sessions where you'll learn and practice new communication skills, work through conflicts, and strengthen your emotional connection using evidence-based techniques.
Skills Practice and Homework Between sessions, you'll practice new skills and complete exercises designed to strengthen your relationship and reinforce positive changes.
Progress Review We regularly assess your progress and adjust our approach to ensure you're achieving your relationship goals.
Signs You Might Benefit from Couples Therapy
Consider couples therapy if you're experiencing:
- Frequent arguments that don't get resolved
- Feeling disconnected or like roommates rather than partners
- Trust issues or recovering from infidelity
- Communication breakdown or feeling unheard
- Decreased intimacy or affection
- Considering separation or divorce
- Major life transitions affecting your relationship
- Parenting disagreements
- Financial stress impacting your relationship
- Past trauma affecting your current relationship
Our Approach to Common Couples Issues
Communication Problems We help couples learn active listening skills, express needs clearly, and communicate during conflict without attacking or withdrawing.
Trust and Infidelity Recovery Our structured approach to affair recovery includes processing betrayal trauma, rebuilding transparency, and creating new agreements for moving forward.
Conflict and Anger Management Learn to fight fair, manage intense emotions during disagreements, and resolve conflicts in ways that strengthen rather than damage your relationship.
Intimacy and Sexual Issues Address barriers to physical and emotional intimacy in a safe, non-judgmental environment, helping couples reconnect and rediscover passion.
Blended Family Challenges Navigate the unique challenges of stepfamilies, including co-parenting, loyalty conflicts, and building new family traditions.
