Ottawa Couples & Relationships

Your life partner and the quality of the relationship you share will absolutely impact the quality and direction for your life. We believe that a strong and safe relationship is one that is created, nurtured, and worked on by both partners.

If you are looking for support to build a strong relationship you can rely on a partnership that makes you feel safe and confident, you are in the right place.

Couples therapy is type of therapy that includes both partners in a romantic relationship with the goal of working towards a healthier relationship and reaching their full potential. In couples therapy, the relationship is the client, as opposed to one individual person.

Folks attend couples therapy for many reasons including:

• Working through a conflict
• Bettering their communication skills
• Developing a deeper understanding and connection
• Exploring negative cycles
• Improving the relationship
• Proactively supporting the relationship and
• Providing a safe space for couples to share their feelings with each other

• You only need couple’s therapy when there is something “wrong” in your relationship. Actually, many folks find that attending couple’s therapy even when the relationship feels stable helps to maintain the health of the relationship and allows couples to work through potential issues that may arise down the line. We believe that even the happiest and healthiest relationships can benefit from couple’s therapy.
• My therapist will side with my partner over me. The role of a couple’s therapist is to mediate, help with communication and connection, and support any conflicts that arise. Couples’ therapists do not side with one partner over the other, because the goal is to support both partners in reaching their goals in the relationship.
• There is no point in going to couple’s therapy my partner is the issue, not me. While it may be the case that your partner contributes to issues in your relationship, you as their partner will need to be part of resolving these issues. Your therapist can help you gain valuable insight into how to move forward in your relationship.

Couples therapy is especially beneficial if you are struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating behaviors. Eating disorders can often show up in your relationship dynamics with your partner. At the same time, your partner is likely one of your main support systems. Therefore, it is vital to receive support from a professional to maintain the health of your relationship throughout your recovery, resolve any issues that are impacting the ED, and to ensure you and your partner both have the support you need as you go through this process.

Additionally, relationship issues can often impact our relationship with food and body. If we are struggling with any type of challenging situation in our lives, we may turn to food (and attempt to control our eating or change our bodies) in order to cope. The couple’s therapists at The Balanced Practice are trained in the treatment of eating disorders and other disordered eating behaviors, and are here to support you as you navigate your food, body, and relationship concerns.

It is possible to feel seen, heard, and valued in your relationship and The Balanced Practice team is here to help you get there. With the support of your couple’s therapist, you and your partner will be able to gain insight into your relationship, communicate effectively, and work on changing any problematic behaviors that are contributing to issues in your relationship.

You and your partner will start with a 75-minute initial assessment with your therapist, where they will get to know both of you, your relationship history, your current struggles and strengths, and your goals for your relationship. You will then meet with your therapist for ongoing sessions to support you with meeting your goals.

At The Balanced Practice, we work from a weight-inclusive, anti-carceral, evidence-based, lived experience informed and collaborative approach. You are at the center of care, always. We aim to create a space where you can feel seen, heard, understood, and empowered to achieve your treatment goals.

You don’t have to navigate your relationship on your own we are here to help you and be your support system along the way.