Couples Counselling and Relationship Therapy
The majority of people who decide to work with a psychologist do so to address relationship issues. Given that the chance of a first marriage ending in divorce over a 40 year period is 67% and that half of all divorces occur in the first seven years of marriage, that is not surprising.
The average couple waits six years before seeking help for relationship problems, which according to the statistics is too long. However, if both partners are committed to making changes, couples counselling can be very successful.
Dr. Tanja has been in full time practice working with couples for 20 years, and she is a Certified Gottman Therapist. She is also Certified in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, and the combination of these two approaches in her work creates a powerful method for helping couples achieve their goals. Dr. Tanja is a highly trained and specialized couples therapist with years of experience, and she has had the privilege of working with many couples dealing with many different issues over the course of her career.
Many therapists will state that they are Gottman trained, but Dr. Tanja has been a fully Certified Gottman Therapist since 2008. She is one of only two clinicians in Canada to be certified in the Gottman Method as well as certified in Emotionally Focused Couples therapy (EFT). What does it take to achieve certification in these methods? Watch the video below to find out…
The majority of people who decide to work with a psychologist do so to address relationship issues. Given that the chance of a first marriage ending in divorce over a 40 year period is 67% and that half of all divorces occur in the first seven years of marriage, that is not surprising.
The average couple waits six years before seeking help for relationship problems, which according to the statistics is too long. However, if both partners are committed to making changes, couples counselling can be very successful.
Dr. Tanja has been in full time practice working with couples for 20 years, and she is a Certified Gottman Therapist. She is also Certified in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, and the combination of these two approaches in her work creates a powerful method for helping couples achieve their goals. Dr. Tanja is a highly trained and specialized couples therapist with years of experience, and she has had the privilege of working with many couples dealing with many different issues over the course of her career.
Many therapists will state that they are Gottman trained, but Dr. Tanja has been a fully Certified Gottman Therapist since 2008. She is one of only two clinicians in Canada to be certified in the Gottman Method as well as certified in Emotionally Focused Couples therapy (EFT). What does it take to achieve certification in these methods? Watch the video below to find out…
What to Expect
Making the decision to do couples therapy can be a scary and overwhelming experience. Finding the right fit with your psychologist is critical, and Dr. Tanja understands that. She always meets with new clients for a free initial half hour in-office consultation to answer any of your questions, hear a bit about what you and your partner would like from therapy, and share a bit about her approach with you.
Working with Dr. Tanja is an investment in your relationship, and a commitment to making things better. If you choose to work with Tanja the counselling will consist of three phases:
PHASE
1
A thorough assessment that will identify the areas in your relationship which need to be addressed according to Dr. Gottman’s research. Couples will also do the exclusive Love Lab assessment to assess their conflict patterns. Dr. Tanja will go through the Love Lab assessment results with you, and provide you with a brief written summary and goals for further sessions.
PHASE
2
A focus on identifying the negative emotional patterns and raw spots that you and your partner get stuck in, and work in sessions on creating healthier patterns of connection that will bring you both closer together.
PHASE
3
Teaching you and your partner how to navigate conflict discussions as a team, and feel like you can manage them more effectively.
Dr. Tanja is part of a select group of Certified Gottman Therapists in Canada, and she is also now able to offer the exclusive Love Lab assessment.
Dr. Tanja is Certified in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) as well, and she is one of two clinicians in Canada to hold both credentials.
When you’re hurting, the world stops, and I listen.
– Dr. John Gottman