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Couples Counselling & Therapy in Vancouver & Across BC
When arguments repeat, trust feels uncertain or you feel far apart, couples counselling offers space to understand what is happening between you and work toward the changes you want.
For online couples counselling anywhere in BC, choose a counsellor who works with couples.
Prefer to meet in person? Choose a counsellor and book a free online consultation for in-person couples counselling at our Vancouver office, 3665 Kingsway, Suite 300.
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Couples counselling provides a structured space to slow down, understand recurring patterns and practise new ways of relating. Approaches vary by clinician and may include Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), Gottman Method couples work and practical communication skills. Your counsellor can explain how they work and discuss goals with both of you.
Founded in 2016, Wellspring is led by Alistair Gordon, MA, RCC, a UBC Adjunct Professor, published author and developer of CorMorphosis™ Psychotherapy and Core Needs Therapy™ (CNT). Our team brings different areas of experience and therapeutic styles.
Compare counsellors who work with couples in BC, then use an individual profile’s booking link to check current options. A free 15-minute introductory consultation is a chance to ask questions about fit; regular therapy appointments are separate, paid sessions. Review fees and policies before booking. If you will attend from outside BC, choose your province to check the appropriate route.
Our Couples Counselling Process
A structured, supportive space to slow things down, understand recurring patterns, and rebuild connection.
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Step 1: Book a free consultation
Compare couples counsellors and ask about fit in a free 15-minute introductory conversation.
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Step 2: Map the cycle and set goals
We make sense of what’s happening between you, especially beneath conflict.
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Step 3: Build connection skills
Practise communication and connection with tools agreed with your counsellor.
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Step 4: Review progress and next steps
Revisit your goals, discuss what is changing and consider next steps together.
What couples counselling can help you work on
- Understand recurring patterns: Explore what happens around criticism, defensiveness, withdrawal or disconnection.
- Practise communication: Work on expressing concerns, listening and responding with greater care. Explore these relationship communication skills.
- Work toward trust and connection: Discuss emotional needs, boundaries and the changes each of you hopes to make.
- Navigate transitions: Talk through changes in parenting, work, family or shared plans and how they affect your relationship.
- Make informed decisions: Consider your relationship goals and possible next steps. Our article on the building blocks of a healthy marriage offers further reading.
Explore our free weekly relationship check-in tool for a structured conversation about appreciation, support and next steps.
For everyday disagreements, our free conflict time-out timer for couples offers a guided pause and return plan. Review the tool’s safety note before use.
Approaches tailored to your relationship
Your counsellor’s training, your concerns and your shared goals shape the work. You can ask about their approach during a consultation and read more about how marriage counselling works or what relationship counselling may involve.
- Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT): An attachment-based approach to exploring interaction patterns, emotional needs and connection.
- Gottman Method couples work: Tools for friendship, conflict management and shared meaning, offered by clinicians with relevant training.
- Communication and self-awareness: Practise expressing concerns, listening, noticing reactivity and responding to difficult conversations.
- Attention to past experiences: Discuss how past hurts may affect the present relationship. Individual trauma therapy, including EMDR where appropriate, is a separate question to explore with a suitably trained clinician; it is not a standard component of every couples session.
Start with a free 15-minute consultation
A space to understand each other
You may arrive with different accounts of what is going wrong or different hopes for counselling. Therapy offers a place to explore those perspectives, notice patterns and discuss what each of you needs. Your counsellor can help you consider goals and next steps without promising a particular relationship outcome.
Pre-Marital Counselling: Start Your Marriage with Strong Foundations
Considering marriage, but facing doubts or wanting to strengthen your bond before the big day? Pre-marital counselling helps you:
- Identify Potential Challenges: Explore communication styles, conflict resolution skills, and how your individual histories might impact your future together.
- Develop a Shared Vision: Discuss expectations for finances, family, career goals, and create a plan that honors both of your needs.
- Build Healthy Habits: Gain tools for addressing future challenges constructively, laying the foundation for a resilient, lasting partnership.
Learn more about premarital counselling and what to expect.
Choosing a couples counsellor
If you and your partner keep having the same argument, it can help to ask a couples counsellor, “What would you do if we got stuck in that argument during a session?” Here are a few people you could ask.
Joel Meszaros has completed an externship in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and draws on the Gottman Method. Laura Tamutis uses an emotionally focused approach with partners who want to talk about difficult feelings and feel closer again.
If you and your partner would like to speak English or Mandarin in your sessions, Tingting Wang offers couples counselling in both languages.
For marriage or couples counselling online anywhere in BC, compare all our BC couples counsellors and choose who you’d like to meet for a free consultation.
What to Expect from Couples Therapy in Vancouver
The first therapy appointment is a chance to discuss what brings you to counselling, what each partner hopes for and how the counsellor works. You can ask about the approach, appointment format, session length and fee, and agree on goals to revisit as the work progresses.
The free 15-minute consultation is an introductory conversation about fit. It is different from a paid therapy session. Check the current fees and policies and confirm couples counselling coverage with your benefits provider before booking.
Learn more about the possible benefits of couples therapy. The process and outcome vary with the relationship, the concerns and the goals you choose.
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Testimonials
Mr. Gordon is someone that captures the spirit and the heart of active engagement. He is empathic, genuine and incorporates action and creative problem solving into his practice. I have no hesitation in recommending Mr. Gordon as an effective career and personal counsellor.
I had no experience with therapy and was unsure of the whole process. Alistair made everything very accessible and unintimidating. It was clear that he puts quite a lot of effort and preparation into every session. I'm so glad that I decided to do this, and could not have asked for a better person to help me with this. I would highly recommend Alistair to anyone who has ever thought that they might benefit from talking to a professional.
I am a young professional which for a long time now, has struggled with anxiety, insecurity, and difficulty in finding effective life coping mechanisms. Alistair was referred to me by a friend and upon the first meeting, I found Alistair to be empathetic, compassionate and intuitive. I have now been seeing Alistair regularly for 6 months and through that time my anxiety has significantly decreased, I have found effective methods of dealing with stress, found support dealing with identity issues, as well as finding inner strength to get through a tough break up. Alistair again and again, went the extra mile -thank you Alistair for your candor, openness and a safe space to get support. Thank you for playing such a large role in keeping me healthy and positive.
I have been working with Alistair Gordon as my counsellor at Wellspring for almost 6 months now and cannot begin to tell you how far I have come with his help. I have tried working with other counsellors and therapists in the past but never really found one that clicked for me. I always felt judged, unsupported, and rushed at those appointments until I booked my first appointment with Wellspring and with Allistair. To anyone on the fence about booking an appointment or engaging in therapy: if you are willing to do the work, you couldn't ask for a better partner in your healing journey.
When I decided to find a counsellor, I tried to find someone that I could relate to, someone that is like-minded and down-to-earth and with Alistair I really found the right person. He uses an integrative approach, showed me techniques to relax and get aware of my emotions, and helped me see things in a new perspective. Of course this is an ongoing process but I enjoy meeting and working with Alistair every time. The downtown office is a very neutral place - not too intimate, not too clinical - which is helpful to overcome apprehension, especially the first couple of times. What I find remarkable is that Alistair almost always knows what I'm trying to say, even if I can't put it into words. Working with Alistair helped me a lot and it was the right decision to put my trust in him.
Alistair really cares about you the person, and I could really feel him trying to tackle my challenges. He was also very available for off-session contact via text and email. I think he did a great job with confronting me where I needed it. Alistair always could remember the important peoples' names in my personal life, which really helped with talking about my problems. I really felt like I was talking to a friend.
Alistair is an awesome counsellor. He has been so helpful in working with me through some tough times in my life. He's always been available to chat with me in-between sessions. I'd recommend Alistair to anyone - he's really the ideal counsellor in my view.
I enjoy how sessions are collaborative where I can take the lead for the direction of what we talk about, and at the same time I know that Alistair will offer helpful guidance and insight along the way. I also like how we focus on the future instead of just the past. I find this to be empowering and helpful to move forward in life.
Alistair is an awesome counsellor. He has been so helpful in working with me through some tough times in my life. He's always been available to chat with me in-between sessions. I'd recommend Alistair to anyone - he's really the ideal counsellor in my view.
I have always felt very comfortable with Alistair. He has a calming presence, and you can tell he cares about being the best counsellor for you. He helps you with all aspects of your concern, and is always able to help me find a solution to the problem I'm having.
Alistair is an exceptionally talented counsellor and has always demonstrated strong ethics, great compassion, wisdom and respect for others. I highly recommend him as a counselling practitioner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do we know if couples counselling is right for us?
If communication feels strained, conflicts repeat without resolution, or emotional distance is growing, couples counselling can help. Many couples in Vancouver seek therapy before issues escalate, not just during crises.
Is marriage counselling only for married couples?
No. Marriage counselling is also helpful for long-term partners, engaged couples, and those considering commitment. The focus is on the relationship itself, not legal status.
What issues can couples therapy help with?
Couples therapy can support challenges such as communication breakdowns, trust issues, infidelity recovery, intimacy concerns, parenting stress, cultural differences, and significant life transitions.
Do both partners need to attend every session?
Typically, yes, as couples counselling works best when both partners are involved. In some cases, individual sessions may be recommended as part of the process.
Is couples counselling available for Vancouver residents outside the city?
Yes. Wellspring offers online couples counselling across British Columbia. In-person appointments in Vancouver are by arrangement with select clinicians; confirm location and availability before booking. Use the BC couples counsellor filters to explore the team, then ask the clinician about appointment format and current availability. If you will attend from outside BC, choose your province before booking.
Explore the next step for your relationship
Expert Couples Counselling in Vancouver & BC
Take the First Step Towards a Stronger Partnership
Explore counsellors who work with couples in BC, compare their profiles and use the relevant booking link to check consultation options. For guided help choosing, try Wellspring AI matching or contact Wellspring.
For free reading and reflection, visit our blog or the self-help program. You can start with these relationship articles:
- What Are the Benefits of Couples Therapy?
- What Is Marriage Counselling?
- The Building Blocks of a Healthy Marriage
- How Does Relationship Counselling Help?
- Relationship Communication Skills
Explore Wellspring’s counselling services and therapeutic approaches if you are considering individual therapy or another form of counselling.
Vancouver office
Wellspring Counselling & Psychotherapy Inc.
- +1 (604) 468-5811
- By appointment
- 3665 Kingsway #300, Vancouver, BC V5R 5W2
- Directions
By appointment • Online across BC • In-person availability varies by clinician