Helping Couples Reconnect, Rebuild, and Thrive
Our couples counselling services are designed for partners who want more than just to “get by.” Whether you're struggling with communication, trust, conflict, or simply feeling disconnected, we're here to help you rediscover what brought you together in the first place. Through compassionate, evidence-based support, we guide couples toward healthier dynamics, deeper intimacy, and lasting connection. Explore how we can support your relationship—starting today.
Before You Walk Away, Let’s Talk.
Does it feel like the spark has faded? Like the love is still there, buried under years of stress, silence, or sharp words—but you’re not sure how to reach it anymore?
You’re not alone. Relationships don’t fall apart overnight—they fade, slowly, through unmet needs, unspoken resentments, and the exhausting repetition of just getting through the day. What once felt passionate, playful, and full of promise now feels like a routine you didn’t sign up for.
But here’s the truth: it’s not too late.
Couples counselling isn’t just for crisis—it’s for reconnection. It’s for couples who still care but feel stuck. It’s for partners who want to remember how to talk with each other instead of past each other. It’s for those willing to fight for the relationship, not in it.
At Little Tree Psychology, we specialize in helping couples on the brink. Through proven strategies, open communication, and a safe space to be real with one another, we help you unpack the hurt, rebuild trust, and rediscover the reasons you chose each other in the first place.
It’s not about going back—it’s about building something new, something stronger. Together.
If you're ready to stop surviving your relationship and start reviving it—this is your moment. Let's rebuild the connection, one honest conversation at a time.
When All Is Smooth Sailing, A Relationship's Shortcomings Can Be Overlooked
In the comfort of a relationship’s smooth sailing, it's common to miss the underlying issues. When everything seems fine on the surface, deeper problems like communication breakdowns are often ignored or unrecognized. It's usually when the initial harmony starts to give way to frequent misunderstandings and feelings of disconnect that couples realize they need help. A primary concern for many clients is this very challenge: they once talked with ease and now find themselves at odds, struggling to convey and receive messages as they once did. They come seeking tools to rebuild this foundational aspect of their relationship.
Marriage and couples therapy is a chance to explore these questions together. Your relationship may be different now, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Here at Reaching My Destination, we want to help you and your partner communicate more effectively and accept growth and change in your lives.
Navigating Common Challenges Together
It's a rarely spoken truth that most relationships encounter their share of obstacles. Couples often sail through the early stages of togetherness, only to be met with challenges such as parenting or financial strain that test the strength and resilience of their bond. These are not isolated trials faced by a few; they are near-universal experiences that can impact any relationship. For instance, financial disagreements are a significant contributor to marital stress, with approximately 35% of couples citing money as a primary cause of friction.
When it comes to parenting, the transition to a family can fundamentally shift the dynamics of a couple's interaction, often leading to a decline in relationship satisfaction. In fact, studies suggest that around 67% of couples experience a noticeable drop in relationship happiness within the first three years of their child's life.
Shared Struggles: You're Not Alone on This Journey
Symptoms of such stress can manifest as frequent arguments, a decline in communication quality, and a feeling of growing apart. But recognizing that these symptoms are common can be a source of comfort. You are far from alone; many are navigating the same stormy seas.
In light of these challenges, therapy or coaching offers a beacon of hope. Just as it is common to encounter these issues, it is equally common—and possible—to resolve them with professional guidance. By working with a therapist or coach, couples can learn to communicate more effectively, realign their financial goals, and find balance in their new roles as parents. The journey through therapy can not only help you manage the challenges but also strengthen your relationship, ensuring that together, you can withstand and grow from the trials faced. Remember, it's not the absence of problems that defines a strong relationship, but the ability to overcome them together.
Shared Struggles: You're Not Alone on This Journey
Embarking on the journey of therapy can be transformative, especially when navigating the often rocky terrain of relationship issues. When financial pressures, parenting challenges, or communication breakdowns feel overwhelming, a therapeutic approach that’s tailored to your specific situation can be the compass you need to find your way back to a fulfilling partnership.
In our sessions, we begin by acknowledging the challenge at hand, whether it’s finding unity in financial decisions or rediscovering the joy in post-parenting couplehood. My methodology is not a one-size-fits-all; it's a blend of various modalities, including cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, and solution-focused strategies. These approaches aim not only to unearth the underlying causes of friction but also to equip you with tangible tools to forge a stronger bond.
Our first sessions will often delve into your relationship’s history to understand its unique narrative. By tracing the roots of current struggles, we can identify patterns and triggers that may be contributing to the issues you face. This understanding paves the way for crafting personalized strategies that foster healthy communication, rebuild trust, and promote emotional connection.
As we progress, you'll be introduced to new skills and strategies designed to manage conflict, enhance intimacy, and balance the demands of parenting and financial responsibilities. You'll learn how to articulate needs clearly and listen empathetically, turning potential arguments into opportunities for growth.
We've witnessed remarkable transformations. Clients who commit to the process often find not only recovery from their immediate issues but also a deeper, more resilient union. By fostering a collaborative therapeutic environment, we will work together to ensure that the skills learned here extend beyond our sessions, helping you to sustain a thriving and harmonious relationship.
Your relationship has the potential to flourish despite the difficulties that have come your way. With dedicated support and the right strategies, we are here to help you rebuild a partnership that's not just healed but also stronger and more connected than ever before.
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Strengthening Bonds with the Gottman Method
The Gottman Method is another highly influential and widely practiced approach to couples therapy, developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman. With over 40 years of clinical research, the Gottmans have synthesized their findings into a method that not only predicts relationship success with a high degree of accuracy but also provides a framework for helping couples strengthen and repair their relationships.
Central to the Gottman Method is the concept of the "Sound Relationship House," which is a metaphor for the foundational elements that constitute a healthy relationship. These include:
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Building Love Maps**: Understanding each other's worlds, including hopes, dreams, and values.
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Sharing Fondness and Admiration**: Expressing respect and appreciation for one another.
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Turning Towards Instead of Away**: Responding positively to each other's bids for emotional connection.
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The Positive Perspective**: Maintaining a positive view of each other and the relationship.
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Managing Conflict**: Learning to resolve solvable problems and navigate perpetual ones.
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Making Life Dreams Come True**: Supporting each other's life goals.
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Creating Shared Meaning**: Building a sense of purpose and shared narratives. The Gottman Method is practical and skills-based, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the friendship at the base of the marriage, managing conflicts that are inevitable, and creating ways to support each other’s dreams and aspirations. The approach also involves the identification and elimination of what Dr. John Gottman refers to as the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," which are behaviors that can predict the end of a relationship: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling.
"I'm afraid that counseling will only lead to more problems."
It's natural to worry that discussing sensitive issues might create more conflict. However, the purpose of counseling is to provide a safe, neutral environment where both partners can voice their concerns without judgment. A skilled therapist guides conversations in a productive direction, helping to uncover underlying issues and facilitating a better understanding between partners. It's this understanding that is often key to healing and improving your relationship, not deepening the divide.
"What if counselling reveals that we're not meant to be together?"
The fear of uncovering a fundamental incompatibility is a common concern. Counseling is not about predetermining an outcome for your relationship but about exploring all possibilities for your future together with clarity and honesty. Sometimes, that may mean realizing that paths diverge, but more often, it leads to a deeper connection and a renewed commitment to the relationship. The goal is always to ensure that both partners find fulfillment and happiness, whether together or apart.
"We can solve our problems on our own; we don't need a stranger meddling in our private life."
It's admirable to want to handle challenges independently, but sometimes an external perspective can be invaluable. A therapist doesn't 'meddle' but offers tools and strategies that you may not have considered or been aware of. They bring an unbiased viewpoint that can help break through the impasses that couples often face. Remember, seeking help is not a sign of weakness but an act of commitment to the health and longevity of your relationship.
When addressing these objections, the key is to communicate the benefits of counseling in general – the potential for personal growth, improved communication, and deeper understanding, all of which can strengthen a relationship regardless of the specific therapeutic approach.
Start Your Change Today
Think we might be a good fit? Simply contact us for a free consultation. Offering online and in-person counselling in Sherwood Park and Edmonton.
Our team consists of skilled providers with a commitment to nurturing stronger relationships through personalized care. With diverse expertise and a unified goal of fostering connection and understanding, they are the backbone of our practice, ready to support your journey toward a healthier partnership.
Discovering Resilience, Growing Minds
hello@littletreepsychology.com
(587) 456-0756
#220, 2899 Broadmoor Blvd
Sherwood Park AB, T8H 1B5
Downtown |
9707 – 110 St. NW, Suite 312, Edmonton, Alberta
Located in: Impark Ledgeview Business Centre Parking - Lot #371
© 2024 by Little Tree Psychology Inc.