Couples & Relationship Therapy Edmonton

Small Changes in Communication Can Transform Your Connection

Every relationship goes through rough patches—but when the same arguments keep happening, when you feel more like roommates than partners, or when trust has been broken, it’s hard to find your way back alone. Maybe you’re wondering if your relationship can be saved. Maybe you’re tired of feeling disconnected, unheard, or stuck in patterns that hurt both of you. Maybe you love each other but don’t know how to stop hurting each other.

 

You’re not alone, and your relationship isn’t beyond repair

 

At Equinox Therapeutic, our registered psychologists and counselors in Edmonton specialize in couples therapy that goes beyond surface-level communication tips. We help you understand what’s really happening beneath your conflicts, heal past wounds, and build the secure, loving relationship you both deserve.Whether you’re dealing with trust issues after infidelity, feeling disconnected after years together, struggling with constant conflict, navigating major life transitions, or simply want to strengthen your bond—couples therapy can help you reconnect.

We work with:

  • Married couples
  • Common-law partners
  • Dating couples
  • LGBTQ+ relationships
  • Blended families
  • Pre-marital couples
  • Couples considering separation

If you and your partner are struggling with:

Couples therapy can help you work through challenges, develop healthy communication, and develop a stronger bond.

How Therapy With Us Works

Schedule

Book a free online consultation or an initial appointment (for a fee) to see if a therapist is a right fit for your needs.

Plan

In your initial sessions, your therapist will get info about your history and presenting problems, get to know what matters to you, and discuss how to help you achieve your treatment goals.

Grow

Feel empowered with support, clarity, and new tools to move forward confidently.

Ready to Find the Right Therapist?

We’ve made it easier than ever to connect with a clinician who understands your needs.
 Use our team page to find a therapist based on therapy approach, life stage, and concerns.

FAQs

Which approaches do you use for couples therapy?

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

 

EFT is the gold-standard approach for couples therapy, backed by decades of research.

 

What the research shows:

 

Studies demonstrate that 70-75% of couples move from distress to recovery with EFT, and 90% show significant improvement. Results are stable over time—couples maintain gains years after therapy ends.

 

How EFT works:

 

EFT views relationship distress as a disconnection in emotional bonding. Rather than teaching communication “techniques,” EFT helps you create new emotional experiences that reshape your bond. You learn to share vulnerabilities, respond to each other’s needs, and create lasting secure attachment.

 

Gottman Method Couples Therapy

 

Developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman through 40+ years of research with thousands of couples.

 

What the research shows:

 

The Gottman Method has been shown to help couples manage conflict, increase closeness and intimacy, and break through gridlocked issues. Their research can predict divorce with over 90% accuracy based on specific communication patterns.

 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Couples

 

CBT helps couples identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that fuel conflict.

 

What we address:

 

  • Mind-reading assumptions (“They don’t care about me”)
  • All-or-nothing thinking (“You never help” / “You always criticize”)
  • Negative attribution (“They did that to hurt me on purpose”)
  • Confirmation bias (only noticing things that confirm negative beliefs)

 

Behavioral interventions:

 

  • Increasing positive interactions (5:1 ratio of positive to negative)
  • Scheduled quality time
  • Acts of service and appreciation
  • Breaking negative interaction loops

Before You Arrive:

 

You’ll each receive intake forms asking about:

 

  • Your relationship history
  • Current concerns and goals
  • Individual mental health history
  • What you hope to gain from therapy

 

The First Session (90 minutes):

 

Welcome and setup (10 minutes):

 

  • Introductions and ground rules
  • Confidentiality and how couples therapy works
  • Questions about the process

 

Joint session (60 minutes):

 

  • “What brought you here today?”
  • Exploring your main concerns
  • Understanding your relationship story
  • Identifying patterns you’d like to change
  • Setting initial goals together

 

Individual check-ins (15 minutes each):

 

  • Private conversation with each partner
  • Anything you’re not ready to share together yet
  • Safety screening
    Individual goals and concerns

 

Closing (5 minutes):

 

  • Initial observations and treatment recommendations
  • Schedule next sessions
  • Any “homework” or things to think about

 

After the first session, you’ll have:

 

  • A sense of whether we’re a good fit
  • A clearer understanding of your relationship patterns
  • Hope that change is possible
  • A plan for moving forward

Counselling provides a safe space to explore patterns, learn healthy communication and conflict-resolution strategies, understand each other’s perspectives, and cultivate empathy and mutual support.

Ideally, both partners participate, but some sessions may include individual work as needed. The therapist will guide the process to ensure both voices are heard and respected.

The length of counselling varies based on your goals and challenges. Some couples notice improvement in a few sessions, while others engage in longer-term work to address deeper or recurring issues.

Yes. Even if one partner is hesitant, counselling can provide tools for communication, understanding, and individual growth, often helping both partners engage more fully over time.