Burlington Couples Therapy & Marriage Counselling | Ryan Answers | Intimacy, Communication, Infidelity & More

Burlington Couples Therapy: The Basics

Couples Counselling Burlington

Are you close to throwing in the towel on your relationship but not quite ready to give up yet?

All relationships take work – even the healthiest ones. Like a garden, you can’t just plant the seed and walk away. You need to nurture it and tend to it as it grows.

Relationships often seem to take care of themselves, it doesn’t *feel* like you’re putting in lots of effort. But when life happens and stress adds up, suddenly things don’t seem to work as naturally as they did before.

As a couples counsellor in Burlington, I offer the following areas of support when it comes to couples and relationships:

Anxiety
Blended Family Challenges
Communication Problems
Constant Arguing
Emotional Escalation and Blow Ups
Family Conflict
Feeling Tension, Always On Eggshells
Lack of Sexual / Emotional Intimacy
Insecurity, Jealousy, Trust Issues
Infidelity
Issues Coming Up Again and Again
Shutting Down and Not Talking
Trauma
Up and Down Cycles

This list is in no way comprehensive and I invite you to contact me if you are dealing with an issue in your relationship not listed here.

How Can Couples Counselling Help You?

Due to societal pressures and the advent of social media, many people feel their relationship is “broken” or that they’re “incompatible” with their partner.

Couples counselling can benefit you and your partner, even if there isn’t a single glaring “issue” that is tearing you apart.

Apart from receiving objective and unbiased support for your unique situation, and receiving a solution that fits you and your partner, you will also experience the following benefits:

Improved marital satisfaction
Reduced ineffective patterns (such as arguments and poor conflict resolution)
Improved parenting
Improved trust and confidence in the relationship
Increased intimacy

Couples counselling can be a crucial step in preventing an unwanted or unnecessary separation or divorce from your partner.

It can also be a wise step in strengthening the connection you already have with your partner.

Contact Me & Get Started

”Oh man this has helped, I can't believe how much it's helped. You have this ability to cut through the crap and help us see the real issues. You honestly have a gift for this.
Adrian & JessicaFormer couples therapy clients

What’s Different About My Approach:

Many people come into couples counselling believing that a therapist will “save” their relationship. While my hope is that it can be saved, my focus is on pinpointing your struggles and creating lasting solutions to your unique situation. I am committed to getting to know both individuals on a deep level.

1. Modern, Effective Attachment-Based Therapy

Attachment therapy is a new concept that explores your early attachment experiences and how they relate to and affect your thoughts, feelings, behaviors and the way you communicate. It’s no wonder attachment therapy is more effective than traditional therapy – especially when it comes to working with relationships.

2. Normal, Down to Earth Approach

Couples counselling is a collaborative effort and my goal is to talk to both individuals together in a conversational way in which I can provide my support, knowledge and expertise. I’m here to facilitate a conversation that is effective and respectful, not to assign blame or diagnose.

3. World-Class Expertise and Resources

In addition to counselling sessions with clients, I also produce videos, write articles, host a psychology podcast, and I’m the clinical director of Empire Psychological in Hamilton. To stay up to date, I take part in continuing education related to the latest in attachment therapy.

Are You Ready for a Change?

All relationships can use a little work, so why not take steps to improve yours?

Imagine overcoming core issues in your relationship and living a happy and fulfilling life with your partner.

I can help you and your partner by providing you the support, guidance and tools you need to face and resolve your issues.

Contact me today for more information!

”Thanks Ryan for helping me and my hubby step up to make the relationship work. Before we started working with you, I really thought I was going to leave him. ... I couldn't believe the impact our first session with you had.
Tianna & RayFormer couples therapy clients

Counselling: Common Questions

How Does This All Work? How Do We Get Started?

The first step is contacting me to book a free phone consult. I need to have a general idea of what’s happening before I can provide you with feedback, and talking on the phone also gives us a chance to see if we’re a good fit before meeting for a real session. Use the contact form below to send me a message, and I’ll do my best to get back to you within 24 hours.

Do You See Clients On Evenings and Weekends?

Absolutely. Counselling sessions are available from 10 AM – 5 PM at my Burlington office, and evenings/weekends at both my Hamilton office and Stoney Creek office.

What If My Partner Doesn’t Want to Attend Couples Therapy?

This is a pretty common situation, and I’m always happy to answer questions from reluctant partners. Most of the time, their idea of what therapy is like and how I actually do things are very different. One person can still learn and improve their awareness of relationship patterns if they come in solo. This type of learning focused on new identifying negative relationship patterns and their solutions will help, but it’s always easier with both partners putting in effort.

Therapists Pick Sides… Why Should I Go?

If someone is worried about favouritism, they usually imagine couples therapy as an attack session. They go in, get ripped apart for all the stuff they’ve done, and then leave. This is a hallmark of horrible therapeutic work, and if you experience this I recommend seeing someone else. Keep in mind though, sometimes you are just honestly responsible for something. Owning it is part of the process and has nothing to do with guilting, blaming, or picking sides. If you have any concerns or anxieties about favouritism in couples therapy, please don’t hesitate to contact me and I’d be happy to talk with you about it.

How Often Are Couples Therapy Sessions?

However often is necessary – it depends entirely on your needs and how much time you’re willing to put into working on your relationship. As a guideline, typically you start weekly for 2 sessions, and move to biweekly after that.

Where Are You Located? What Are Your Hours?

Click here for hours, map, and address: Couples Therapy Burlington.

One Week I Want Couples Therapy, Next Week We’re OK. Can You Help?

Definitely. I see this often, and if this is you, the way to break this pattern is to go to therapy when things are good. When in crisis you want therapy, but when things calm down a bit you lose your motivation. This pattern will likely continue until you seek help during the positive phase of the cycle.

Can Couples Therapy Actually Help With (Specific Relationship Issue)?

I’ve worked with people in circumstances you probably wouldn’t believe. Everyday people, celebrities, blue collar, white collar, accountants, artists… all types of people, from all kinds of backgrounds, all over the world. It doesn’t matter who you are or what issues you’re facing, what matters is the effort you put in. The most successful clients I’ve ever worked with are those who are dedicated, put in the work, and do so consistently.

How Much Are Couples Therapy Sessions at Your Burlington Office?

There are several therapists at my practice, each with their own rates. A very safe estimate is around $170 per session for couples therapy.

Is Couples Therapy Covered By Benefits?

Coverage varies from plan to plan, but most plans will provide coverage. To see if your plan will cover couples therapy, please contact me to do a free phone consultation.