Virtual couples therapy across Ontario
Couples therapy for recurring conflict and disconnection
The same argument can repeat even when both partners want something different. Couples therapy offers a place to slow the interaction down, understand what each person is protecting and practise responses that fit the relationship you want to build.
- Secure video across Ontario
- Daytime and evening appointments
- $170 for 50 minutes · Sliding-scale available
The focus
A place to understand the pattern between you
Couples therapy may help partners recognize recurring cycles, communicate underlying emotions and needs, and take responsibility for the responses that keep conflict or distance going. It does not guarantee reconciliation, and it may not be appropriate where fear, coercive control or violence is present.
Conflict often carries more than the immediate disagreement
An argument about time, chores, money, parenting, intimacy or a phone may carry a deeper question: Do I matter to you? Can I depend on you? Will there be room for me if I disagree? Each partner may respond in a way that makes sense from inside their own experience while becoming painful inside the other's.
One person may press for an immediate conversation while the other withdraws to reduce intensity. The withdrawal increases the first person's alarm, and the pursuit increases the second person's need for distance. Soon the pattern is in charge of the conversation.
What we may work on
Depending on your goals and circumstances, sessions may focus on:
- identifying the sequence that turns a difference into a recurring conflict;
- hearing the emotion or need beneath accusation, defence or withdrawal;
- pausing without abandoning the conversation;
- describing experience and making requests without attacking character;
- acknowledging injuries and deciding what repair would require;
- recognizing genuine differences that need negotiation rather than better wording.
The aim is not to determine who is the bad partner. Responsibility may not be equal, and each person remains accountable for their own behaviour.
Floyd's training and supervision
Floyd is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) who currently works with couples under clinical supervision. His work is informed by emotion-focused principles and relationship material covered in his graduate training.
When joint therapy may not be appropriate
Both partners need enough safety and freedom to speak, pause, disagree and make choices. Coercive control, intimidation, threats and physical or sexual violence require a safety-focused response. Joint therapy can be unsafe or inappropriate in those circumstances.
If you are afraid of your partner or changing your behaviour to prevent retaliation, consider individual support and safety planning. If there is immediate danger, call 911. Ontario's services for people experiencing violence can also provide confidential support and referrals.
Related reading
Practical questions
Questions about this therapy.
Can couples therapy help when we keep having the same argument?
It may help you slow the recurring sequence down, understand what each person is protecting and communicate the emotion or need beneath accusation, defence or withdrawal. Therapy does not guarantee agreement or reconciliation.
When is joint couples therapy not appropriate?
Joint therapy may be unsafe or inappropriate where there is coercive control, intimidation, threats, or physical or sexual violence. Individual support and safety planning should come first when either partner is afraid or cannot speak freely.
How much is a couples therapy session with Floyd?
Couples sessions with Floyd are $170 for 50 minutes. Sliding-scale spaces are available. Floyd currently works with couples under clinical supervision and does not present himself as a couples specialist.