Couples Counseling Therapists in Vancouver
Browse 2 therapists specializing in Couples Counseling in Vancouver. Find the right counsellor or psychotherapist for your needs.
Couples therapy gives partners a structured place to talk about the patterns that are difficult to change on their own. Many couples start therapy after repeated conflict, emotional distance, a breach of trust, or a major life transition that has put pressure on the relationship. Others come before things feel urgent because they want to communicate better, prepare for marriage, navigate parenting, or understand why the same conversations keep ending in frustration.
What to look for in a Couples Counseling therapist on Purple Lotus
- Specific training in couples therapy, not only individual counselling
- Experience with your main concern, such as conflict, infidelity, intimacy, or premarital work
- A balanced style that supports both partners while naming patterns clearly
- A clear structure for sessions, goals, and what progress should look like
2 therapists for Couples Counseling in Vancouver
Browse 2 therapists specializing in Couples Counseling in Vancouver. Find the right counsellor or psychotherapist for your needs.
Chris Ho
If you find yourself navigating through the complexities of life, know that seeking counselling is a courageous and empowering choice. People seek counselling for a myriad of reasons, each journey as unique as the individual taking the first step. You might be facing the pressure of anxiety, the shadows of depression, or the echoes of past traumas. Life's challenges can be multifaceted, stemming from personal relationships, work-related stress, existential questioning, or unforeseen transitions. As a couple, you may be experiencing the severance of disconnection, rupture of infidelity, or the growing pains of change. I combine a tapestry of approaches to support you on your transformative journey. Mindfulness techniques provide a grounding anchor to the present, while Adlerian therapy delves into understanding the influence of your past on your current self. For couples therapy, I incorporate the Gottman method and Emotionally Focused Therapy to rebuild your foundations. Culturally sensitive and trauma-informed, my practice is a safe haven for individuals of all backgrounds and identities. No matter what brings you to therapy, we can cultivate resilience, uncover your inner wisdom, and empower you to live authentically and aligned with your values. With warmth, I am looking forward to connecting with you.
phil di loreto
Welcome. As a therapist with queer-lived experience and a heartfelt desire to see people thrive, not just survive, I look forward to meeting you wherever you are in this moment. You might be carrying something you've held on to on your own for a long time, or you and your partner might keep arriving at the same hard conversation. Either way, I'm glad you're here. I'm a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) offering individual and relationship therapy, in person in East Vancouver and virtually across BC and Ontario. My practice is split evenly between the two. I'm a gay cisgender man, and I come to this work with lived experience as part of a marginalized community. My work is queer-affirming, and I welcome people in all relationship structures, including polyamorous and open relationships. You won't need to explain or justify who you are or how you love before we get to what brought you in. In individual therapy, people often come to me when anxiety or self-doubt is taking up too much room, or when a change in their life has left them unsure of who they are now. I draw on Internal Family Systems, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and an attachment-based approach. Together we get curious about the different parts of you, including the ones that are critical or afraid, and about how your early relationships shaped the way you relate to yourself and to others today. Over time, most clients find they can meet themselves with more compassion and make choices that reflect what matters to them. Many people come to me because of work. Before training as a counsellor, I spent fifteen years inside the corporate world, in tech and human resources, so the context is already in the room. I know what a reorganization costs and what it is like to sit in a performance review that isn't going the way you hoped. I see burnout as what happens when the demands on you keep outpacing what you have to give, often in a workplace that makes it hard to say so. In our sessions, we work on the conversations you've been avoiding and on who you are when the job that has defined you stops fitting. Along the way, we reconnect you with your sense of agency, so your decisions line up with the person you want to be. In couples therapy, I use Emotionally Focused Therapy and the Gottman Method. We slow down the moments where you miss each other and look at what each of you is feeling and needing underneath. From there, we build ways of talking and listening that bring you closer. Some couples come to strengthen something that is already good. Others come at a turning point, such as opening their relationship or rebuilding trust. I think of myself as a fellow traveller. I walk alongside you while you find your way, and I treat you as the expert on your own life. I bring training, structure, and an outside view. As an RCC, my sessions are covered by many extended health plans. If you'd like to find out whether we're a good fit, you can book a free 20-minute consultation.
Looking beyond Vancouver? Browse all Couples Counseling therapists in Canada. Or see all therapists in Vancouver.
Couples Counseling therapists in Vancouver — at a glance
- accepting new clients
- 2/ 2
- offer online sessions
- 2/ 2
- offer sliding scale fees
- 2/ 2
Frequently asked questions
What happens in couples therapy?
Couples therapy usually begins with understanding the relationship history, current concerns, and what each partner wants to change. Sessions then focus on the interaction patterns keeping you stuck, communication, emotional repair, and specific issues like trust, intimacy, parenting, or finances. The therapist helps structure conversations so both partners can participate more constructively.
When should a couple start therapy?
Couples often start therapy when conflict repeats, communication breaks down, emotional distance grows, or trust has been damaged. You do not need to wait until the relationship feels close to ending. Therapy can also be useful preventively, especially before marriage, parenting transitions, blended family changes, or other major commitments.
Can couples therapy help after cheating or betrayal?
Yes, couples therapy can help after infidelity or betrayal when both partners are willing to engage honestly. The work usually involves accountability, transparency, understanding what happened, processing hurt, and deciding whether repair is possible. It can be difficult work, and progress depends on safety, honesty, and sustained effort from both partners.
What if my partner does not want couples therapy?
Couples therapy works best when both partners are willing to participate, even if one is hesitant. If your partner refuses, individual therapy can still help you understand your patterns, clarify boundaries, and decide how to approach the relationship. Some couples begin after one partner has first explored concerns individually.
How long does couples therapy take?
The length of couples therapy depends on the concerns involved and how entrenched the patterns are. Some couples use a short course of sessions to address a specific issue. Others work for several months or longer when rebuilding trust, changing longstanding dynamics, or navigating complex family stress.
Can online couples therapy work?
Yes. Online couples therapy can work well when both partners have privacy, a stable connection, and enough space to participate without interruption. It is especially useful for busy schedules or long-distance couples. High-conflict situations may require extra structure, and some couples prefer in-person sessions for that reason.
How do I find a couples therapist in Vancouver?
Browse therapists in Vancouver who list couples therapy as a specialty and look for training in approaches such as EFT, Gottman Method, or discernment counselling. You can also filter by availability, fee, and online or in-person format to find someone who fits both partners' schedules.
Is couples therapy covered by insurance in Vancouver?
Coverage depends on your extended health plan and the therapist's credentials. Some plans in Vancouver cover sessions with registered psychologists, psychotherapists, or social workers, but couples therapy may be treated differently from individual therapy. Check eligible provider types, reimbursement limits, and whether both partners can submit claims.