Couples on the Edge ©

If you feel that your relationship is in serious trouble and you can see the possibility of separation from where you are right now, there is something you can do about it. Even if you have seen couple counselors already, or if one of you has already decided it’s over but the other wants to stay together, I can help you with a new approach developed for these most difficult situations. This approach is also recommended if you have already seen marriage counsellors before, if one or both of you need more support, if one or both are struggling with addiction or if there has been a low level of physicality in your conflict.

In this approach I work closely with a colleague who is also a psychologist with many years of experience with children, couples and families.  We create a safe and supportive forum for the difficult conversations. 

In this process we each have a primary relationship with one person in the couple and a generally supportive relationship with the other. We work with ‘our’ client in one-on-one meetings until everyone feels ready for a joint meeting where all 4 of us meet together.  The psychologists direct the meeting and structure things to support both of you to describe your experiences safely.  We can take as many breaks as necessary.  The goal is to have the best possible conversation.  

All this method involves two psychologists, in my experience, we get things done more quickly and need fewer meetings to resolve long standing issues.

Therapeutic Services

Separation and Divorce

Therapeutic Approaches

Over the years my therapeutic style has been influenced by many approaches. Here are some of the areas that have been most important:

  • Individual Life Span Development
  • Child Development
  • Family Development
  • Stepfamily Development
  • Family Systems
  • Family Therapies
  • Attachment theory
  • Play Therapy
  • Parent Education
  • Couple Communication
  • Domestic Violence Intervention
  • Conflict Resolution Approaches
  • Psychopathology
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches
  • Solution-Oriented Therapies
  • Positive Psychology
  • Appreciative Inquiry
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Neurophysiology
  • Interpersonal Neurobiology
  • Trauma
  • Mind-Body Connections
  • EFT – Emotional Freedom Technique
  • Somatic techniques
  • Spiritual Counselling
  • Life Review
  • Resilience

Separation and Divorce Issues Addressed

I work with a variety of people and problems including:

  • emotional shock at receiving unexpected news
  • feeling lost and confused about which professional services are appropriate
  • planning the transition to two households
  • how to talk with your children about the separation/divorce
  • responding to the emotional needs of the children
  • working out parenting time
  • creating parenting plans
  • supporting the best possible co-parenting relationship
  • shifting repetitive communication dynamics
  • self-calming and self care through the process
  • the introduction of new partners