Couples Therapy Services
Virtual Psychotherapy for couples in Ottawa and throughout the province of Ontario
What Brings Couples to Therapy?
Couples come to therapy for many reasons—not just because they’re in crisis. Having the support of a therapist who understands you and your relationship can be a valuable resource at any stage. Some couples begin therapy early on to build a connection with a therapist they can turn to when needed. Others come in feeling stuck in a pattern they can’t shift on their own. Some are navigating the difficult question of whether to stay together or part ways. Whatever brings you in, I recognize that starting couples therapy is a vulnerable—and meaningful—step.
It’s not uncommon for one partner to feel hesitant about starting this process. Therapy can sometimes carry the weight of “something must be really wrong.” I make space for those hesitations from the start and bring a spirit of kindness, compassion—and hopefully a few laughs—into our work. I don’t believe couples therapy is only about solving problems. I love helping partners explore how they want to show up for each other, what they’re building together, and how to move toward the future they both want.
“We have more than one great love in our lives. If we’re lucky, it’s with the same person, but sometimes it takes more than one journey together to get there.”
— Ester Perel
My Approach
Couples therapy begins with an intake session attended by both partners. It’s a chance for us to get to know each other, talk about your relationship history, explore what’s been feeling hard, and start thinking about your goals for therapy. After that, I’ll offer some initial recommendations. That may be to continue our work together or to exploring other resources and referrals that might be a better fit.
If we choose to proceed with working together, each of you will have an individual session with me. These are an opportunity for us to connect one-on-one, talk about your personal experiences, and explore anything that might be helpful to bring into the work ahead. You’ll also get a feel for how I approach therapy and how we might work together.
By our fourth session, we’ll come back together to finalize your couples treatment plan and start diving into the work. I aim to make therapy a flexible and supportive space that fits your needs. Often, we begin by looking at the cycles playing out in your relationship, and how both partners are experiencing and contributing to them. I work from an Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy lens, and also integrate tools from ACT, CBT, and other approaches they're a good fit.
Depending on what’s bringing you in, we might incorporate psychoeducation, practical strategies like check ins or planning tools for couples who need help getting on the same page, as well as reflection practices to focus on between sessions to help keep the momentum going.
“The dance of relationship is not about being perfect, but about being able to repair, reconnect, and grow together.”
— Sue Johnson
Relationship Support for Partners Navigating ADHD
In couples therapy, the relationship—not either individual—is the client. This holds true when ADHD is part of the picture. While ADHD can influence how partners relate to each other, the diagnosis itself isn’t the problem. I bring in education about ADHD to help both partners better understand what might be happening between them, recognize common patterns in ADHD-affected relationships, and find new ways to reconnect when things feel stuck. When helpful, we can also build strategies to support executive functioning within the couple or family system and explore tools to help things run more smoothly at home.
I draw from several therapeutic approaches when working with couples with ADHD, including Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), attachment theory, Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT), and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)—all adapted with ADHD in mind.
Relationship Support During the Perinatal Period
The perinatal period is a time of significant transition for couples. Pregnancy and the early years of parenting often bring unexpected emotional, mental, and relational challenges that can strain connection between partners. Even with preparation, couples frequently face the tension between wanting to control and plan for what’s ahead, and learning to let go. Having support during this time can help partners stay connected, prioritize each other’s mental health, and navigate this transition as a team. As both a parent and a couples therapist with perinatal mental health training, I offer a unique perspective on the challenges couples face during this time—including for those where one or both partners are navigating ADHD.
Have Questions?
You and your partner can book a free 15-minute intro call to see if working with me feels like the right fit.