Relationships are one of the most meaningful parts of life — but they also bring challenges. Every couple experiences stress, misunderstandings, and emotional distance at some point. The question many partners ask is:
“Is this normal… or is it time for couples therapy?”
If you’re wondering whether therapy might help, you’re already taking an important step toward healing and clarity.
This guide will help you understand when couples therapy is beneficial, how it works, and why reaching out sooner rather than later can protect and strengthen your relationship.
What Is Couples Therapy? (And Why It’s Not a Last Resort)
Couples therapy — also known as relationship counselling or marriage counselling — is a safe, structured space where partners work with a trained therapist to improve communication, understand each other’s emotions, and repair patterns that create distance or pain.
At Baraka Ontology & Clinical Counselling in West Vancouver, our couples therapists use evidence-based approaches such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Family Systems, and attachment-based therapy to help partners reconnect and grow.
Contrary to common belief, couples therapy isn’t only for relationships on the edge of collapse. Many couples seek support early to prevent small issues from becoming painful disconnects.
10 Signs It’s Time to Consider Couples Therapy
These signs don’t mean your relationship is failing — they mean you’re human, and support may help.
1. You Keep Having the Same Argument Over and Over
If conflict loops feel predictable — same triggers, same reactions, same ending — this is a sign of a deeper pattern beneath the surface.
A therapist helps you identify:
- Emotional triggers
- Hidden fears or expectations
- How to break the cycle instead of repeating it
This is one of the most common (and solvable) reasons couples seek therapy.
2. Communication Feels Difficult, Tense, or Avoided
You may feel:
- Misunderstood
- Ignored
- Defensive
- Unable to express needs
Therapy provides tools to communicate clearly, calmly, and compassionately, even about difficult topics.
3. You Feel More Like Roommates Than Partners
Emotional disconnection often shows up as:
- Going through the motions
- Lack of excitement
- Minimal affection
- A sense of distance
Couples therapy helps rebuild intimacy, closeness, and emotional safety.
4. One or Both of You Hold Unspoken Resentments
Resentment accumulates when:
- Needs aren’t met
- Boundaries are crossed
- Conversations stay superficial
Left unattended, resentment quietly erodes trust and connection. Therapy creates a safe space to talk honestly — without blame.
5. Trust Has Been Damaged (Even Slightly)
Trust issues don’t always come from betrayal. They often come from:
- Feeling unsupported
- Broken agreements
- Emotional withdrawal
- Shifting priorities
A therapist helps couples repair trust with boundaries, transparency, and new patterns of emotional engagement.
6. You’re Struggling With Physical or Emotional Intimacy
Intimacy naturally fluctuates — but when it becomes a source of stress, avoidance, or insecurity, therapy is incredibly helpful.
Therapy can help you:
- Understand barriers to closeness
- Rebuild affection
- Restore emotional or physical intimacy at a pace that feels safe
7. Major Life Transitions Are Creating Stress
Many couples seek therapy during:
- Becoming parents
- Immigration or cultural transitions
- Career changes
- Loss or grief
- Moving homes
- Blended-family changes
Transitions test relationships — therapy helps you navigate them as a team.
8. You’re Feeling Unheard or Emotionally Alone
When emotional needs go unacknowledged, partners often feel:
- Invisible
- Unsupported
- Unimportant
Couples therapy helps each partner express emotions openly and teaches the other to respond with empathy, not defensiveness.
9. Small Conflicts Escalate Quickly
If disagreements escalate into:
- Yelling
- Silence
- Stonewalling
- Avoidance
- Criticism or defensiveness
…it’s time to get support before the pattern becomes ingrained.
10. You Want to Strengthen Your Relationship Before There’s a Crisis
The strongest couples are not the ones without problems — they’re the ones willing to grow together.
Many couples start therapy simply because they want:
- Deeper connection
- Better communication
- A healthier long-term relationship
You don’t need to wait until things feel “bad enough.” Prevention is powerful.
Visit our Couples & Family Therapy page.
How Couples Therapy Helps (Backed by Evidence & Expertise)
At Baraka, our therapists use evidence-based approaches designed to strengthen your relationship at its emotional core.
Therapy helps couples:
- Understand each other’s emotional needs
- Improve communication and listening skills
- Repair trust and rebuild connection
- Navigate conflict without escalation
- Increase emotional and physical intimacy
- Develop long-term tools for resilience and empathy
Your therapist acts as a neutral guide — not a referee — helping both partners feel heard, respected, and supported.
Meet Our Couples Therapists at Baraka OCC
You will work with a qualified, compassionate clinician who specializes in relationship dynamics:
- Danial Mahanian, RCC
- Orsolya Kis, PhD Candidate, RCC
- Naghmeh Nobahar, PhD, RCC
- Negar Asgharipour, RCC
- Elham Zolfagharinia, RCC
Our therapists integrate:
- EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy)
- Family Systems Therapy
- Attachment-based work
- Trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approaches
This diversity of backgrounds ensures each couple receives care tailored to their unique story.
Serving West Vancouver and the Greater Vancouver Area
We support couples from:
- West Vancouver
- North Vancouver
- Vancouver
- Burnaby
- And surrounding communities
Sessions are available in-person or online, making therapy accessible no matter your schedule.
Most extended health plans cover sessions with Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs).
How to Get Started
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance something in your relationship is asking for attention — connection, clarity, healing, or hope.
Reaching out isn’t a sign of failure.
It’s a sign of commitment to each other.
📞 Call: +1 (778) 320-5782
📧 Email: contact@barakaocc.com
🔗 Book a session online
We’re here to support you, every step of the way.
FAQ: Couples Therapy (Search-Optimized)
Is couples therapy only for relationships in crisis?
No. Many couples come in to strengthen communication and prevent deeper issues — not just repair them.
Will the therapist take sides?
No. Our therapists act as neutral facilitators who support both partners equally.
How many sessions does couples therapy take?
Every couple is different, but many notice meaningful improvements within 4–6 sessions.
Can we do therapy online?
Yes. We offer secure, private online couples sessions for clients across BC.
Is therapy covered by insurance?
Most extended health plans cover sessions with our Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs). Check your plan for details.
We also have a blog related to Canadian Mental Health Insurance
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