What couples counselling is
Couples counselling is talking therapy for two people together, with the relationship itself as the work.
Protected titles you will see include Registered Psychologist, Registered Psychotherapist and Registered Social Worker.
Nanaimo is in British Columbia.
Approaches generally share similar features 1. The counsellor takes an active part and works on the patterns that keep a difficulty going. They build an alliance with both of you at once.
The counsellor does not take a side.
Couples therapy, couples counselling, relationship counselling and marriage counselling all name the same work.
Family mediation is a different service, and in Quebec it carries its own accreditation 2. Relationship distress is an ordinary reason adults seek therapy 3.
Is couples counselling the right first step?
Joint sessions are not always the right first appointment. A careful practitioner screens before agreeing to see you together. The usual reasons are moderate to severe aggression between partners, active alcohol or other substance misuse, a continuing affair, and psychotic symptoms 1. Individual or specialist treatment comes first.
Couples sessions require safety. If one of you is afraid of the other, that is a safety question first. Going alone is a sensible beginning, not a sign you have given up on the relationship.
If the problem is safety rather than the relationship
Where there is violence or fear at home, these routes come before counselling.
The Divorce Act defines family violence in the statute itself 4. It covers conduct that is violent or threatening, and patterns of coercive control. It covers conduct that makes a family member fear for their safety.
The definition holds whether or not the conduct is a criminal offence. It names psychological abuse and financial abuse.
The Criminal Code names no specific offence of family violence 5. Most acts of family violence are crimes in Canada. Several provinces and territories add civil family violence legislation.
Under it a court may grant an emergency intervention order. Such an order can let the person at risk stay in the home, and restrain the other from making contact. Child protection runs under provincial and territorial law.
The Public Health Agency of Canada lists family violence services by province and territory 6. A national shelter map sits beside them.
Nearby places and related listings
- Nanaimo: all 3 therapists listed
- Couples therapists by city, the couples therapists page, not tied to a place
- Canada: Couples therapy by city
References
[2] Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec.
[4] Divorce Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. 3 (2nd Supp.)), section 2(1). Justice Laws Website.
[5] Department of Justice Canada, Family Violence Laws.
[6] Public Health Agency of Canada, Get help: Family violence helplines and services.
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Vincenzo (Enzo) Sinisi, Clinical Psychologist (HPCSA), Psychoanalyst (IPA/SAPA), Group Analyst (IGA)
