Common Questions about Couples Counselling
Is counselling covered by my extended health benefits?
Most extended health providers will cover the cost of couples counselling with a therapist with the designation of Masters in Social Work (MSW), Registered Social Worker (RSW), Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), or Registered Professional Counsellor. Robin Morgan has her MSW, RSW, and RCC. Please contact your health care provider to check if you are covered.
How long does couples counselling usually take?
Robin uses a short-term approach to couples counselling that usually takes between 10-20 sessions. Couples counselling make take longer (between 10-30 sessions) if one or both partners have experienced trauma in their past.
When should a couple begin counselling?
The earlier you start the faster you’ll develop healthy communication patterns. Robin recommends couples undergo premarital counselling to save themselves stress and hurt feelings. However, it is never too late to begin couples counselling as the process helps couples examine the ways they interact and can help them gain a deeper awareness of their partner’s emotions and behaviour. This in turn leads to understanding and forgiveness.
What if the problems in our relationship are too big to be repaired?
It is never too late to repair a damaged relationship in fact many couples that seek counselling with Robin are at their wits end and ready to leave the relationship. Robin highly recommends you put off ending the relationship until you have given couples counselling a try. You will find that couples counselling can help you heal the deepest of hurts, and will enable you to be truly heard, understood, and cared for by your partner.
Does coming to counselling mean that I am a weak person or have a weak relationship?
It takes courage, not weakness, to seek help and to admit you can’t do it on your own. Investing in couples counselling is an investment that will pay off now and in future generations.
My partner has a hard time discussing feelings. Will he/she be able to get help in counselling?
Robin has helped many individuals who feel “numb” or cut off from their emotions. Emotion Focused Couples Therapy has been research proven to help the most withdrawn partners.
What if I want couples counselling but my partner refuses to come?
Individuals who come to couples counselling without their partner will receive many benefits including:
- Deeper awareness of your feelings and validation of your needs
- Assertiveness skills you can use to ask for your needs to be met
- Ability to set boundaries
- Improved self-esteem
- Reduced anxiety and depression
- Reduced fears of abandonment or rejection
- Improved self-care
What are some books that you would recommend?
- “Hold Me Tight,” by Dr. Sue Johnson
- “The Seven Principals for Making Marriages Work,” by Dr. John Gottman
- “And Baby Makes Three: The Six-Step Plan for Preserving Marital Intimacy and Rekindling Romance After the Baby Arrives.” By Dr. John Gottman
- “Healing Trauma” Peter Levine
