Couples Counselling in Nanaimo and Across Vancouver Island
Repair and Reconnection
Very often, couples reach out for couples therapy in Nanaimo because they no longer feel like they have each other’s back. When you cannot count on your partner in the moments that matter most, it hits hard. It creates distress, defensiveness, and a cycle where both people feel alone, unheard, or on edge.
Over time, that cycle becomes the “third partner” in the relationship. It shows up in arguments about finances, parenting, chores, intimacy, and everything in between. By the time couples contact me for relationship counselling in Nanaimo, they’ve usually been stuck in this pattern for a long time. They are tired, emotionally worn down, and ready for change but do not know where to start.
The first stage of Emotion Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) is about slowing things down and looking closely at this pattern. How long has it been around? How does it pull you in? What happens inside each of you in those moments?
My first job is to stop that cycle in session so both of you can breathe again. From there, we practice how to interrupt it outside of session. Once you can reliably do that together, safety has been developed and we work towards building the kind of relationship you want.
Jason’s Approach
I do not take sides. The issue is the pattern, not either person in the relationship.
My role is to slow that cycle down so both partners can clearly see what is happening between them.
I create space for each partner to feel heard and understood. We look at what is happening inside you during those difficult moments when the pattern takes over. As we explore these moments, there is no judgment, pressure, or blame.
My goal is to help you both reconnect with the version of your relationship that you still want. We work as a team to work towards a relationship where each partner feels safe, valued, and emotionally connected.
The Couples Therapy Process
Session 1: Together
We meet as a couple to identify your pattern, explore what brings you in, and get clarity on how the cycle shows up between you. Whether you’ve lived in Nanaimo your whole life or recently moved to Vancouver Island, these patterns usually follow you from one chapter of life to the next.
Session 2: Individual Sessions
Each partner has one individual session. These sessions are not for taking sides. They help us understand your attachment style, emotional triggers, and how you protect yourself during conflict. This step sets the foundation for effective marriage counselling and couples therapy.
Ongoing Sessions: Together
We return to couples sessions with a deeper map of what is happening inside each of you. In these sessions, we walk through difficult moments in a structured, focused way. We slow down conversations that normally escalate, explore the emotional roots of conflict, and work with communication in real time. You will also receive tools to strengthen connection between sessions.
A Path to Lasting Change
Couples counselling isn’t just about “fixing problems”—it’s about creating a healthier, more fulfilling relationship dynamic. By working together, you can transform conflict into collaboration, distance into closeness, and uncertainty into renewed commitment. If you’re ready to invest in your relationship’s well-being, I’m here to help.
More Ways I Can Support You
Individual Counselling
