What is Marriage counselling?
Marriage counselling (couples therapy) is a type of psychotherapy. Marriage counseling helps couples recognize and resolve conflicts, learn new communication and behavioural skills and develop plans to improve their relationships. Through marriage counseling, you can make thoughtful decisions about rebuilding your relationship. In some situations we meet about going your separate ways in the most productive and non-confrontational manner possible, especially important for families with children.
Marriage counseling is often provided by registered therapists known as Registered Marriage and Family Therapists (RMFT in British Columbia, LMFT in Washington State). These therapists have graduate or postgraduate degrees — and many choose to become credentialed by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Most MFTs have two years of full time supervised clinical experience providing therapy before working independently. (Compared to a required 100 hours by unregulated counsellors).
Marriage counseling is focused and short term. Marriage counseling typically includes both partners, but sometimes one partner chooses to work with a therapist alone. The specific treatment plan depends on the situation. Sometimes entire families participate in sessions.
In my practice I provide marriage and couple's therapy using a selection of therapeutic interventions best suited to your needs. These include Systemic Family Therapy, Gottman Family Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, AKA ACT, a form of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. As a clinician offering marriage and couple counselling I hold a graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology, an Advanced Certificate in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy from the Albert Ellis Institute in New York as well as a license/registration in Psychology. I have also completed nearly 100 hours of Gottman specific training and have a background in mediation and law.
Please visit my website for information on my services in Marriage and Couple Therapy. I have offices in Burnaby, Vancouver and Seattle, Washington.
