Couples Therapy in Ottawa
Understand each other better, and get there together. Couples therapy in Ottawa, in person and online.
✓ Same-week ✓ Direct billing ✓ Sliding scale ✓ Licensed therapists
Book a free consultationUnderstand each other better, and get there together. Couples therapy in Ottawa, in person and online.
✓ Same-week ✓ Direct billing ✓ Sliding scale ✓ Licensed therapists
Book a free consultationEvery clinician is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) or the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).
We want therapy to be financially accessible for everyone. Reduced rates are available case-by-case based on need and availability.
We submit directly to most major insurers, so you don't pay out of pocket upfront.
Our office is in Ottawa. All client records are stored in Canada and handled under PIPEDA and PHIPA.
Therapy is a space to slow down and look at what's underneath. These are some of the patterns people bring into the room.
FOR WHEN SOMETHING FEELS OFF
The topic changes but the argument feels familiar — one gets louder, the other shuts down, and nothing resolves. You both know it isn't really about the dishes.
You manage the logistics of life together, but the real conversations stopped. You're not fighting — you're just not connecting, and the distance is growing.
Infidelity, a significant lie, a betrayal of some kind. The relationship survived it, but the rupture is still there and you're not sure trust can come back.
Couples therapy at Auren Wellness is structured, collaborative, and focused on real change. We don't take sides. We help you both understand what's happening between you and give you better tools for navigating it.
We draw on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Gottman Method, and attachment-based frameworks. EFT focuses on the emotional patterns underneath conflict; the Gottman Method brings practical, research-based tools for communication, conflict repair, and connection; attachment-based work helps couples understand how each person's history shapes what they bring into the relationship.
Most couples don't come to therapy because their relationship is bad. They come because they want it to be better, and they're not sure how to get there on their own. That's exactly what this work is for.
Email, phone, or fill out our booking form. There's no script and no pressure. You can share as much or as little as you want.
A real person, not a bot, will reply as soon as we can with a few options for a free 15-minute consultation.
We listen. You ask questions. No paperwork, no obligation. If we're not the right match, we'll point you toward someone who might be.
Direct billing where possible. Evening and weekend availability. Virtual or in-person in Ottawa.
Sessions are 50 minutes in length. Rates vary by therapist and are confirmed during your free consultation. We accept e-transfer and credit cards, and direct-bill most insurers.
Sliding-scale spots are available based on need. Ask during your free consultation.
Same 50-minute format, structured for two participants and shared concerns.
Registered Psychotherapist and Registered Social Worker services are covered by most extended health plans in Canada. We recommend confirming your specific coverage before your first paid session. Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, and most major insurers include coverage.
We direct-bill where your insurer allows it. Otherwise, you pay at the time of session and submit the receipt for reimbursement.
Every session generates a receipt listing the provider's license number, suitable for insurance reimbursement.
In-person sessions are held at our Ottawa office. Virtual sessions use a secure, PIPEDA-compliant video platform. You can switch between the two.
We ask for 24 hours notice on cancellations. Late cancellations and no-shows are charged the full session fee.
After the free 15-minute consultation, your first paid session is intake-focused. Bring questions, anything you have already tried, and any goals you have in mind.
Everyone's experience is different. Explore the focus that fits what you're navigating, or book a free consult and we'll help you find the right starting point.
Book a free consultationQUESTIONS
Fees for couples therapy in Ottawa typically range from about $150 to $225 per session, depending on the clinician's designation and experience. At Auren Wellness, sessions are provided by Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Social Workers, and sliding-scale options are available for those who need them. We also offer a free 15-minute consultation so you can ask about fees before booking.
OHIP does not cover couples therapy in Ontario, but many extended health plans reimburse sessions with a Registered Psychotherapist or Registered Social Worker. Coverage depends on your provider's designation and your specific plan, so it helps to check your benefits directly. Auren Wellness offers direct billing to many insurers, which can simplify the process.
Couples therapy can help many partners improve communication, rebuild trust, and understand recurring patterns. Research generally shows positive outcomes when both partners are engaged in the process, though results vary by relationship and goals. A couples therapist in Ottawa works with you to identify what you want to change rather than promising a specific result.
Many couples attend somewhere between 8 and 20 sessions, though the right length depends on your goals and the issues you're working through. Some find shorter, focused work helpful for specific concerns, while others prefer longer-term support. Your therapist at Auren Wellness can give you a clearer sense of timing after the first few sessions in Ottawa or online.
Research suggests online couples therapy can be effective for many relationship concerns, and many couples appreciate the convenience and privacy of meeting from home. Auren Wellness offers both virtual sessions across Ontario and in-person appointments at our Ottawa office, so you can choose what fits your schedule and comfort. Both formats follow the same professional standards.
The first session usually focuses on getting to know both of you, understanding what brought you in, and discussing your goals. Your therapist will pay attention to how you communicate and give each partner space to share their perspective. It's a conversation about understanding the relationship, not deciding who is right, and it helps set a direction for the work ahead.
Couples therapy isn't only for relationships in crisis. Many couples in Ottawa seek support to improve communication, navigate a major life change, rebuild trust, or strengthen a relationship before small issues grow. Going earlier, rather than waiting for things to feel unmanageable, can make it easier to work through concerns together. Booking a free 15-minute consult with an Auren couples therapist is a low-pressure way to start.
Couples therapy generally works best when both partners attend, since much of the work involves how you interact and communicate together. Occasionally a therapist may meet with each person individually to explore a specific issue, then bring the insights back to joint sessions. If your partner is hesitant, a free consultation can help you both understand the process.
The terms are often used interchangeably in Ontario. Counselling sometimes refers to shorter, more focused work on specific issues, while therapy may explore deeper relationship patterns over a longer period. In practice, the approach is tailored to your situation. At Auren Wellness, our clinicians adapt the work to what you and your partner want to address.
Couples therapy can offer a supportive space to explore difficult decisions, including whether to stay together or separate. For some couples it helps rebuild the relationship; for others it provides clarity and a more respectful path forward. The focus is on understanding your situation honestly rather than guaranteeing any particular outcome. An Auren couples therapist in Ottawa can help you talk through where things stand.
Therapy is a longer-term relationship. If you're in acute distress, please reach the services below first. They are free, confidential, and available right now.
