Trusted, Private, and Registered Therapists That Get You
Online Couples Counselling Across Canada.
Free 20-min consults. Insurance accepted. Canadian-owned.
Every relationship has their challenges.
The real problems start when we get too focused on the imperfections.
The beginning of a relationship is an exciting time.
It is full of emotion and hope and the focus is on nurturing and building a partnership. But… over time, things change. Life becomes hectic. In the midst of being busy and preoccupied with every day life, you can start to drift apart without noticing. You can’t prevent this drift, it’s natural.
The trick is noticing when the distance gets too big, and knowing how to pull each other back in, or whether it’s time to break up. This is where our couples therapists can help.
Our Online Couples Counsellors
Therapists who help you both feel heard
Your therapist works for the relationship, not for either one of you. They won't take sides or assign blame. Their job is to help you both feel heard and understand what's really happening between you. Every therapist on The Dot is CRPO-registered and meets with you over secure video, wherever you are in Canada.
When it’s time to get help:
You're both trapped in a pattern. One person tends to shut down, while the other keeps trying to fix things. The fighting is taking a toll on your relationship and you need help to restore the love and connection you once had.
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You’re stuck in a pattern of conflict, and your communication just isn’t working.
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One person tends to shut down, while the other keeps trying to fix things.
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The fighting is taking a toll on your relationship, and it’s harder to see the love you once shared.
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You don’t feel heard or understood.
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You have the same fights over and over again.
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Trust feels fragile, and you don’t feel supported.
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Compromising or making decisions together seems impossible.
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You can’t envision a positive future as a couple.
We Help With
Trouble Talking to Each Other
Having a hard time sharing feelings, constant misunderstandings, or fighting without solving problems.
Trust Issues or Cheating
Struggling to rebuild trust after cheating or dealing with lies and broken promises.
Feeling Distant or Disconnected
Not feeling close anymore, lacking emotional support, or problems with physical affection.
Fighting About Responsibilities
Arguments about who does what, like chores, money, or how to handle parenting.
Big Life Changes and Stress
Stress from major events like moving, getting married, having kids, or dealing with family issues.
Other Concerns
Struggles with:
- Differences in values or goals.
- Jealousy or controlling behaviour.
- Managing mental health challenges in the relationship.
We view virtual relationship counselling as a joint process between you, your partner, and your counsellor working towards a common goal — to empower the change your relationship needs and improve the quality of your lives, both now and in the future.
Relationship counselling can be a great resource while you’re going through a specific life event, like managing a relationship crisis or a potential breakup or divorce. It can help you with those issues that are hard to face on your own while empowering you to overcome those obstacles that are hindering your relationship and your individual well-being.
But marriage counselling can also just be about strengthening and reconnecting to your relationship, or providing ongoing support as you move through life together. In this sense, pre-marriage couples therapy sessions can be preventative. You and your partner will be in a much better position to nip larger issues in the bud before they become insurmountable.
Three steps, and a real person at the end of them
01
Tell us what's going on
Answer a few questions about what you're looking for, how you'd like to work, and what matters to you.
02
We do the matching
Our team reviews your answers and personally suggests two or three therapists who genuinely fit, so you don't scroll for hours.
03
Meet them, decide later
Book a free consultation. If it doesn't feel like the right fit for you or your partner, we'll match you again, no pressure to commit.
Our online couples counsellors are trained in
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Looks beneath the arguments to the emotions underneath, helping you understand what you're each really reaching for.
The Gottman Method
Practical, research-backed tools for managing conflict and building a deeper, steadier connection.
Relational Life Therapy (RLT)
Direct and honest work that helps you show up to each other with more openness and less defensiveness.
The Developmental Model
Understands which stage your relationship is moving through, and what growth looks like from here.
Fill out the therapist match form
It takes about three minutes. Based on your answers, we'll suggest one or two registered therapists. You can have a free consultation with one or both. If neither feels right, we can suggest someone else on our team.
Frequently Asked Questions About Couples Counselling
How does online couples counselling actually work?
Sessions happen over a private, encrypted video platform. You and your partner join from a device with a camera, and your therapist meets you in a virtual room. The format is very close to sitting in an office together. Most couples find the logistics straightforward after the first session.
Do both partners need to be in the same room during the session?
Not necessarily. Many couples join from the same device in the same room. Others log in separately, especially when privacy at home is a concern. Your therapist can work with either setup. If you have questions about what would work best, bring it up during your free consultation.
What is the difference between EFT, the Gottman Method, and Relational Life Therapy?
All three are evidence-informed approaches to couples work, and they overlap more than they differ. EFT focuses on emotional attachment and the cycles partners get stuck in. The Gottman Method emphasizes communication patterns and friendship. RLT looks at how early conditioning shapes the way we show up in relationships. Your therapist will draw from what fits your situation.
How many sessions does couples counselling usually take?
It varies. Some couples work through a specific issue in eight to twelve sessions. Others find ongoing sessions useful for deeper patterns. Your therapist will talk through what feels right for your situation rather than setting a fixed number upfront. There is no standard timeline that fits every couple.
What if my partner refuses to come to therapy?
It is very common for one partner to reach out first. If your partner is not ready, individual sessions can still help you understand your own patterns and responses. Some couples find that one partner starting therapy opens the door for the other to join later. A therapist can talk through your options with you.
Is online couples counselling as effective as in-person?
Research on videoconference therapy consistently shows outcomes comparable to in-person sessions for most people. The therapeutic relationship matters more than the format. Many couples also find online sessions easier to maintain consistently, which tends to support progress over time.
How much does online couples counselling cost in Canada?
Sessions at The Dot are $215 per 60 minutes. Couples sessions are priced the same as individual sessions with the same therapist. Your extended health benefits may cover a portion depending on your plan. See the insurance question below for more detail.
Does my insurance cover couples therapy?
Coverage depends on your plan. Many Canadian extended health benefits cover psychotherapy when provided by a Registered Psychotherapist. Couples therapy is not always listed as its own category, so check your plan for "psychotherapy" or "psychological services." We provide receipts you can submit directly to your insurer. In Canada, online psychotherapy is covered by most extended health benefit plans when delivered by a Registered Psychotherapist or Registered Social Worker. Sessions delivered to clients in Ontario are subject to CRPO Professional Practice Standards. The Dot Canada is incorporated as an Ontario professional corporation under R Nicol Psychotherapy Professional Corp.
What happens in the free 20-minute consultation?
It is a short conversation, not an intake session. You can ask questions, share a bit about what brought you here, and get a feel for whether the therapist seems like a good fit. There is no commitment. If it does not feel right, we will help you find someone who fits better.
What if we do not click with the first therapist we meet?
Fit matters. If the connection is not there after a consultation or a few sessions, let us know and we will help match you with someone else. The therapeutic relationship is central to how this works, so finding the right person is worth the extra step.
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