Trusted, Private, and Licensed Therapists That Get You
Online Couples Counselling Across Canada.
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 Couples Counsellors Are Ready To Help With Any Situation
Our goal is that, by the end of our sessions, you’ll have both learned how to strengthen your relationship by finding the connection that originally brought you together. All our couples therapists are Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO) or Registered Social Workers (OCSWSSW), regulated under Ontario law. Their registration numbers and full credentials are listed on their individual bios.
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.
How it works
1. Book a free 20-minute consultation online No payment, no paperwork before you arrive. Just pick a time that works for you.
2. Meet your therapist by video You share a bit about what is going on, ask any questions you have, and get a feel for whether this therapist seems like a good fit.
3. Decide together how to move forward If it feels right, you book a first full session. If it does not, we will point you toward other options. No pressure either way.
4. Start sessions at a pace that works for you Sessions are 50 minutes. Most couples begin weekly or biweekly and adjust the frequency as things progress.
Our couples counsellors are trained in:
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
EFT looks at the emotional patterns underneath recurring arguments. It helps partners understand what they are each reaching for in conflict, and how to reach for each other instead. - Gottman Method
The Gottman Method is built on decades of research into what makes relationships work. It focuses on strengthening friendship, managing conflict, and building shared meaning between partners. - Relational Life Therapy (RLT)
RLT looks at how the ways we were raised shape how we show up in our closest relationships. It is direct and practical, helping partners move out of harmful patterns and toward genuine connection. - Developmental Model of Couples Counselling
The Developmental Model sees relationships as moving through predictable stages, each with its own challenges. It helps couples understand where they are in that process and what growth that stage is asking of them.
In our couples counselling sessions, we work alongside both of you to get to the heart of your difficulties. We’ll explore where your relationship is getting stuck and where it needs more focus. We will help you clarify your words and feelings so that you’re better heard and understood.
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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