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Every Relationship Goes Through Hard Times
Arguments. Silence. Distance. Feeling like roommates instead of partners. Saying the same things over and over without anything changing.
If any of this sounds familiar — you're not alone. And it doesn't mean your relationship is broken.
At Théla Psychotherapy Clinic in Markham, we help couples get unstuck. We use the Gottman Method — one of the most research-backed approaches to relationship therapy in the world — to help you communicate better, rebuild trust, and actually feel close again.
Sessions are available in English, Mandarin (普通话), Cantonese (廣東話), and Portuguese.
✓ In-person in Markham | ✓ Virtual across Ontario, BC & Alberta | ✓ Insurance accepted
Why Couples Choose Théla
Gottman Method — Levels 1 & 2 Trained
Therapy in Your Language
Trauma-Informed Care
Culturally Responsive
Flexible & Accessible
When to Seek Couples Therapy: Signs Your Relationship Could Benefit
Couples often seek therapy when experiencing:
- Ongoing conflict or communication breakdowns
- Emotional distance or loss of intimacy
- Repetitive arguments that feel unresolved
- Trust concerns or relationship injuries
- Stress related to life transitions or external pressures
- The impact of trauma, family-of-origin patterns, or attachment wounds
Therapy does not require a relationship to be “at a breaking point.”
“Are We Bad Enough for Therapy?”
Many couples hesitate to seek support because they believe their struggles are not serious enough—or worry therapy means failure.
Couples therapy is a proactive choice. It can be helpful both during periods of crisis and when partners want to strengthen their connection before issues deepen.
What Is the Gottman Method?
The Gottman Method is one of the most studied approaches to couples therapy in the world. It was developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman after decades of research into what makes relationships last — and what pulls them apart.
At Théla, we use this framework to help couples:
- Stop the patterns that damage trust and connection
- Build a stronger friendship at the core of the relationship
- Learn how to fight fairly and actually resolve conflict
- Create shared meaning and long-term closeness
All couples at Théla begin with an Initial Assessment session. This gives your therapist a full picture of your relationship history and goals — so the work that follows is tailored to you, not generic.
When Past Wounds Show Up in Your Relationship
Sometimes the way we react to our partner has nothing to do with our partner. It has everything to do with what we learned about safety, love, and trust long before we met them.
This is how trauma shows up in relationships:
- Getting very upset over things that seem small
- Shutting down or going silent when things get tense
- Difficulty trusting — even when your partner hasn't done anything wrong
- Feeling abandoned or criticized easily
- Pulling away from physical or emotional closeness
Trauma-informed couples therapy slows things down. It helps both partners feel safe enough to stay present — instead of fighting or shutting down.
Our Trauma-Informed Approach
Therapy is guided by principles of safety, consent, and pacing. Sessions focus on helping both partners feel heard while working toward shared goals for the relationship.
The process is collaborative and adapted to each couple’s unique dynamics.
Who We Work With
Couples in Conflict
Couples Growing Apart
Couples Rebuilding Trust
Intercultural & Immigrant Couples
Chinese-Canadian & Asian Couples
LGBTQ2S+ Couples
Premarital Couples
Couples Affected by Trauma
Investment in Your Relationship
Couples therapy at Théla is $290 per session for a 90-minute session. Many extended health plans cover Registered Psychotherapist services — check your benefits for coverage.
We offer direct billing to most major insurance providers including Green Shield, Manulife, and Sun Life. We accept e-transfer, credit card, and debit. A limited number of sliding scale sessions are available through our associate therapist Renata — contact us for details.
Ready to Reconnect and Heal Together?
Every relationship faces challenges. What matters is whether you face them as a team or allow them to create division. Couples therapy provides the support, tools, and guidance to navigate difficulties together.
You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out. You just need to be willing to show up, be honest, and engage in understanding each other more deeply.
Frequently Asked Questions About Couples Therapy
No. Many couples come to therapy to strengthen their relationship before things get bad — or to navigate a transition like a new baby, job change, or move. The earlier you come, the easier the work is.
This is very common. The hesitant partner often becomes more open once they feel heard rather than blamed. If your partner isn't ready, you can also start with individual sessions — sometimes that creates enough change to open the door.
Never. Our job is to help both partners feel understood. We're not here to decide who's right.
Therapist fit makes a big difference — as does the approach used. We'd love to hear what didn't work before and try something different.
It depends on what you're working on. Some couples see real change in 3–6 months. More complex issues may take longer. We check in regularly so you always know where things stand.
Yes. Virtual couples therapy is available across Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. It works just as well as in-person for most couples — and it's easier to fit into a busy schedule.
Yes. Bonny provides fully fluent couples therapy in English, Mandarin (普通话), and Cantonese (廣東話). Renata offers therapy in English and Portuguese.
Couples therapy is for any committed relationship — dating, common-law, engaged, or married.
If there is ongoing physical violence, couples therapy is not recommended and may not be safe. Individual therapy and safety planning are the right first steps. We will always ask about safety before beginning couples work.
Book a free 15-minute consultation. We'll answer your questions, explain the process, and figure out who on our team is the best fit for you.
Areas We Serve
Couples therapy in Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Toronto, Scarborough, North York, Mississauga, Brampton, Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, and Oshawa. Virtual therapy available across Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.
