Couples Therapy: Revitalizing Strained Partnerships
In-person | Video | Phone
Is your partnership strained by gridlock issues, emotional escalation, in-law conflict, or post-affair distrust? My couples work restores connection, trust and respect, whether the wounds began in a dysfunctional family of origin or surfaced inside the relationship itself.
Often relationships begin with attraction, passion, desire, lust, creating an initial bond of excitement and intimacy. As couples progress through various stages, differences in opinions, evolving responsibilities, and external pressures can introduce tensions that erode this foundation. Recognizing these shifts early is crucial, as unaddressed issues may signal deeper distress and hinder mutual growth.
The following are signs that your relationship may be in trouble: not being informed about your partner's week, job stressors, or daily events; lacking warmth or admiration toward your partner; retreating into your own world and limiting communication; struggling to resolve conflicts or avoiding disagreements altogether; and failing to align on future life goals, aspirations, or dreams. These indicators, identified by experts at the Gottman Institute, often stem from fundamental marital distress and can be addressed through structured approaches like the "Sound Relationship House" model, which rebuilds friendship, conflict resolution skills, and shared meaning.
Evidence-Based Modalities for Two
Gottman Method (core framework) — love-map assessment, bids, conflict regulation
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) — turning criticism into secure attachment
Bowen Family Systems & IFS — spot inherited patterns, heal protective "parts"
Attachment-informed CBT & Solution-Focused tools — fast skills for everyday harmony
What Sessions Look Like
90-minute intake with the Gottman Relationship Checkup.
Weekly 50-minute sessions (in-person Toronto or secure Zoom across Ontario).
Practical homework: soft start-ups, boundaries with high-conflict relatives, intimacy rituals.
Ongoing progress reviews to keep therapy goal-driven and transparent.
Common Issues We Tackle
Communication gridlock & stonewalling
Post-affair repair and rebuilding trust
Parenting stress, blended families, aging-parent pressure
Financial clashes & life-stage transitions
Deciding to stay, consciously separate, or co-parent respectfully
James and Becky’s Story
“Blake guided us through Gottman methods to address emotional distance and resentment from my demanding job and my partner's neglect echoes, fostering soft startups, empathy, and teamwork for a closer, supportive partnership.”
Engaging in couples therapy with me
Blake Anderson, MSW, RSW, yields transformative results by systematically dismantling gridlock issues through the Gottman Method's structured interventions, such as conflict regulation and soft start-ups. Clients develop essential skills in effective communication and emotional attunement, enabling them to navigate disagreements with mutual respect rather than escalation. This process not only resolves inherited patterns from dysfunctional family origins but also fosters a renewed foundation of trust and collaboration, empowering partners to align on shared goals and life transitions with greater harmony and resilience.
Furthermore, therapy enhances intimacy and emotional connection by incorporating Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and attachment-informed approaches, which facilitate deeper vulnerability and secure bonding. Couples report heightened romance through practical homework assignments, including intimacy rituals and love-map assessments, that reignite passion and admiration. Over time, these evidence-based strategies lead to sustained relational growth, where partners experience increased satisfaction, reduced distress, and a revitalized sense of partnership that extends beyond sessions into everyday life.
Fees & Payment
CAD $200 per 50-minute couples session (no HST)
Credit, debit, or e-transfer due each visit; limited sliding-scale spots.
Insurance & Receipts
Receipts emailed within 48 hours. Services by a Registered Social Worker (RSW) are reimbursable under many extended-health plans and count toward the CRA medical-expense tax credit—confirm with your provider.
Cancellation Policy
Please give 48 hours’ notice to avoid the full fee. We’ll gladly reschedule when calendars allow.
Ready to Rebuild Your Partnership?
Click below to book a free 15-minute consult and see how Gottman-focused therapy can help you move from conflict to connection.
