FAQ

What can couples therapy help with?

Relationships can bring us some of life’s deepest connection, but they can also leave us feeling hurt, misunderstood, or disconnected. Couples therapy can help when you find yourselves caught in recurring arguments, struggling to communicate, feeling distant, navigating intimacy or trust concerns, or adjusting to significant life changes. Together, we explore the patterns that keep you feeling stuck, the emotions and needs beneath them, and new ways of responding to one another. The goal is not to decide who is right or wrong, but to help you understand one another more deeply and build a relationship that feels more connected and secure.

What happens in the first couples therapy session?

Our first session is an opportunity to get to know one another and begin developing a shared understanding of your relationship. We’ll explore what has brought you to counselling, your relationship history, the challenges you’re experiencing, and what each of you hopes might change. We’ll also begin identifying the patterns of interaction that may be contributing to conflict or disconnection, while recognizing the strengths and resources within your relationship. This initial assessment helps us establish meaningful goals and a foundation for our work together.

What is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)?

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is an attachment-based approach to couples therapy that helps partners understand the emotional patterns that can leave them feeling stuck, distant, or alone. Often, conflict on the surface is connected to something more vulnerable underneath—a fear of rejection, a longing to feel important, or a need for reassurance and connection. Rather than focusing only on the disagreement itself, we work together to understand what is happening between you and create new ways of responding to one another. Over time, this can help build greater emotional safety, trust, and a more secure connection.

Do you work with neurodivergent couples?

Yes! My work is informed by more than 25 years of experience supporting neurodivergent individuals and families, as well as my own lived experience of neurodivergence. I recognize that people can experience, process, communicate, and respond to the world in different ways. In relationships, these differences can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or leave one or both partners feeling unseen. My approach is neurodiversity-affirming and curious rather than judgmental. Together, we explore how each of you experiences the relationship, what helps you feel understood, and how you can build ways of connecting that respect both of your needs.

Do you work with LGBTQIA+ couples and individuals?

Yes! I welcome LGBTQIA+ couples and individuals and aim to create a space where you can bring your whole self without needing to explain, minimize, or defend who you are. My work is informed by both professional experience and lived experience as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Whether you’re navigating relationship challenges, identity, intimacy, life transitions, or questions about connection and belonging, we can explore your experiences with curiosity, care, and respect. You deserve therapy that honours your identity and the unique context of your life and relationships.

What if one partner is unsure about couples therapy?

It’s common for partners to arrive at couples therapy with different levels of readiness. One person may be eager to work on the relationship, while the other may feel uncertain, discouraged, or worried about what therapy will involve. You don’t need to arrive with the same perspective or be equally certain that therapy will help. We can begin by making space for each of your experiences, concerns, and hopes, without assuming that either person is the problem. My role is to help you understand what is happening between you and explore whether we can create a way forward together.

Can couples therapy help with infidelity, intimacy, or sexual concerns?

Yes. Concerns about trust, infidelity, intimacy, desire, and sexuality can bring significant pain and uncertainty into a relationship. These experiences can leave partners feeling hurt, rejected, disconnected, or unsure how to move forward. Therapy offers space to explore what has happened, understand its impact on each of you, and begin identifying what is needed next. Depending on your circumstances and goals, our work may focus on rebuilding trust, deepening emotional connection, navigating differences in desire, or understanding how past experiences affect intimacy. We’ll work at a pace that respects your experiences and the needs of your relationship.

Do you offer online therapy?

Yes. I offer online couples and relationship therapy, making it possible to connect from the comfort and privacy of your own space. Online sessions can be a helpful option for couples with busy schedules, those living outside Kelowna, or partners who find it easier to attend remotely. Sessions are offered within the geographic and professional practice limits that apply to my services. You’ll need a private space and a reliable internet connection where you can speak openly. If you’re unsure whether online therapy is the right fit for your relationship, we can discuss this before getting started.

Do you offer direct billing, and is counselling covered by insurance?

I plan to offer direct billing through TELUS Health eClaims and Pacific Blue Cross, subject to eligibility and plan requirements. If direct billing is not available through your provider, I can provide a detailed receipt for you to submit for reimbursement, where eligible.

Coverage varies depending on your benefits plan and the credentials recognized by your insurer. Before your first appointment, I recommend checking whether your plan covers services provided by a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and/or Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), whether a referral is required, and what limits or reimbursement conditions apply. Please contact your benefits provider directly to confirm your coverage.

How long does couples therapy take?

Every relationship is different, so there isn’t a set number of sessions that works for everyone. The length of therapy depends on your concerns, your goals, and the changes you hope to make together. Some couples come to work through a specific challenge, while others want to explore longer-standing patterns and deepen their connection over time. We’ll discuss your goals as we begin and revisit them throughout our work together, so therapy continues to reflect your needs and priorities.

What if we have very different perspectives on our relationship?

It’s common for partners to experience the same relationship differently. You may have different understandings of what is happening, what needs to change, or what has caused you to feel disconnected. In our work together, I aim to create space for both of you to feel heard and understood. Rather than deciding who is right or wrong, we’ll explore each of your experiences and the patterns that develop between you. The goal is to build a shared understanding of your relationship and find new ways of relating to one another.

How do we get started?

Getting started can be as simple as reaching out. If you’re considering couples or relationship therapy, you’re welcome to contact me with any questions or to arrange an initial session. You don’t need to have everything figured out before we meet. We can begin with what is happening in your relationship right now, what feels difficult, and what you hope might be different. Finding the right therapist matters, and the first step is an opportunity for us to begin exploring whether working together feels like a good fit.

You don’t have to navigate the difficult parts of your relationship alone. If you’re ready to explore what might be possible, I welcome you to get in touch.