About CouplesWork
CouplesWork is dedicated to working with couples, families and individuals, to supporting them in navigating the challenges we face in life and relationship and to empowering them in creating deep and authentic lives and experiences of connection.
We believe the practice of counselling must be understandable, practical and effective. CouplesWork has worked to take the broad range of perspectives available and refined them to be usable by real people in the real world. Years of refinement with hundreds of real world clients resulted in an approach that focuses on building capacity so that clients can increase awareness and gain control of the actual mechanisms which create their experience.
We would be honoured to share some of our experience and to support you individually or as a couple in this part of life’s journey.
Areas where CouplesWork supports clients in Kelowna and British Columbia:
•Improving relationship communication
•Increasing intimacy and emotional connection.
•Navigating conflict and emotional distress.
•Understanding how each of us contribute to the relationship tension and injury we experience.
•Repairing relationships facing infidelity or other forms of broken trust.
•Navigating the complexities of blended families and co-parenting
•Dealing with separation and divorce.
•Facilitating conscious uncoupling and the healing process.
•Premarital Counselling
•Parenting Challenges
Additional Therapeutic Perspectives
We Draw From
EFT – Emotionally Focused Therapy
“ We are never so vulnerable, as when we love.”
– Sigmund Freud –
EFT is based on principles of emotion and attachment theories. It is a structured approach developed by Leslie Greenberg and Sue Johnson. The perspective is “emotion-focused” as it is based on the concept that emotional experiences play a powerful role in shaping relationships and experience. The word “emotion” comes from Latin form emovere meaning, literally, “to move”. Emotion motivates and signals key moves in the dance between people.
Gottman Method Couples Therapy
“ Its a myth that if you solve your problems you’ll automatically be happy. We need to teach couples that they’ll never solve most of their problems. ”
– John Gottman –
Gottman Method Couples Therapy was created by Dr.s John and Julie Gottman. John Gottman, Ph.D. spent his 35 years of breakthrough research on marriage and relationships. His work made him one the of the top ten most influential therapists in the last quarter century. The Gottman method focuses on emotion, skill building for managing conflict, developing new skills for enhancing friendship, and helping the couple to create a system of shared meaning together.
Family Systems Therapy
“ People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. ”
– Elizabeth Kübler-Ross –
Family Systems Therapy is a branch of psychotherapy that works with families to nurture change and development. It is based on the belief that, regardless of the origin of problem, whether clients consider it an individual or family issue, involving families in the solution is often beneficial. During sessions the therapist catalyses the strengths, wisdom and support of the family in fostering change. Therapy emphasizes family relationships as an important factor of psychological change.
Why A Registered Clinical Counsellor?
There are many types of counsellors in BC. Some have minimal training or no graduate education, and yet they may still be members of ‘professional’ counselling organizations. On the other hand, Registered Clinical Counsellors are Master’s level educated, “professionally accountable members of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors who meet strict academic and professional qualifications, carry professional liability insurance, and subscribe to BCACC’s Code of Ethical Conduct and Standards of Clinical Practice.” The RCC designation is your assurance that the counsellor that helps you get through a difcult time is one you can trust, and who has the training and expertise you need. All RCCs should be happy to provide you with evidence of their certification. You can also call (1-800-909-6303) or visit the BCACC website (www.bc-counsellors.org) for independent verification of member status.
What Services do Registered Clinical Counsellors Provide?
Registered Clinical Counsellors work within an Association-approved scope of practice and offer
a variety of educational and mental health related services for individuals, couples, families and groups.
RCCs are qualified to help you address many mental health issues including:
• Brief/Long Term Counselling/Therapy
• Psychoeducational Programs
• Vocational or Career Testing and Counselling
• Organizational Consulting, Training and Development
• Facilitation and Mediation
• Clinical Teaching and Supervision
• Employee/Family Assistance Program Management, Consulting and Delivery
• Community Response and Critical Incident/Crisis Intervention
What are the Benefits of Choosing a Registered Clinical Counsellor?
Registered Clinical Counsellors have successfully fulfilled requirements of Masters Degree level education, supervision and clinical experience to the satisfaction of the Association. Some third party payment plans such as Extended Health Care Insurance and Employee/Family Assistance Programs pay partial or total coverage for counselling services. We recommend that clients check directly with their plan to confirm what their coverage is and whether Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC) are covered.
What concerns would I bring to a Registered Clinical Counsellor?
Registered Clinical Counsellors are qualified to address many clinical mental health issues through assessment, prevention, and treatment/intervention. Some examples of concerns/issues which are
appropriate to bring to a Registered Clinical Counsellor include the following (not an all-inclusive list; many specialized concerns require specific counsellor training):
• Stress and anger management
• Panic and anxiety
• Depression
• Marital and relationship problems
• Obsessive/compulsive behavior
• Sexual abuse or trauma
• Grief and loss
• Substance abuse
• Eating disorders
• Gender and sexuality issues
• Child and adolescent issues
• Communication skills/assertiveness
• Conflict resolution