Marriage Counselling in Ottawa
The relationship you built deserves real care. Marriage counselling in Ottawa, in person and online.
✓ Same-week ✓ Direct billing ✓ Sliding scale ✓ Licensed therapists
Book a free consultationThe relationship you built deserves real care. Marriage counselling 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
You've had this fight before, maybe many times. The details change but the structure is the same — one feels unheard, the other blamed, and it ends unresolved.
Life together is functional and practical, but somewhere in the schedules you stopped connecting. You're not unhappy — just not close the way you used to be.
A move, a new career, having children, losing a parent. Big transitions stress even strong relationships, and you're not sure how to find your way back.
Marriage counselling at Auren Wellness focuses on what's actually happening between you — not on assigning fault or giving advice, but on helping both of you understand the dynamic that keeps pulling you apart.
We draw on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method. EFT works with the emotional cycles underneath conflict — helping partners see what they're actually reaching for when things escalate, and learn to reach in a way the other person can receive. The Gottman Method brings practical, evidence-based tools for communication, repair after conflict, and rebuilding friendship and trust.
Long-term relationships have depth and history that shorter ones don't. We approach marriage counselling with respect for everything you've built together, and with honesty about what needs to change. For couples working through communication specifically, see our page on therapy for communication issues.
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.
QUESTIONS
Marriage counselling in Ottawa generally costs between roughly $150 and $225 per session, varying with the clinician's designation and experience. Auren Wellness offers sessions with Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Social Workers, along with sliding-scale options for clients who need more affordable rates. You can ask about pricing during a free 15-minute consultation before committing.
OHIP does not cover marriage counselling in Ontario. However, many extended health benefit plans reimburse sessions with a Registered Psychotherapist or Registered Social Worker, depending on your plan and the provider's designation. It's worth confirming your annual coverage with your insurer. Auren Wellness provides direct billing to many insurers to make this easier.
Marriage counselling can help many couples improve communication, rebuild trust, and approach conflict differently. Outcomes tend to be stronger when both partners are motivated and engaged in the process. A marriage counsellor in Ottawa works with you to set realistic goals rather than promising a specific result, since every relationship is different.
Many couples attend between 10 and 20 sessions, often starting with weekly meetings and spacing them out over time. The length depends on what you're working through and how engaged both partners are. Some couples notice shifts in how they understand their issues within the first several sessions. Your counsellor can offer a clearer picture as the work progresses.
It's rarely too late as long as both partners are willing to try and remain open to change. The bigger factor is usually motivation rather than how difficult things currently feel. Counselling tends to be most helpful when both people are ready to listen and engage. If you're unsure where things stand, a free consultation with an Auren marriage counsellor in Ottawa can help you decide.
Yes. Auren Wellness offers virtual marriage counselling to clients across Ontario as well as in-person sessions at our Ottawa office. Many couples find online sessions convenient and appreciate meeting from the privacy of home, and research suggests virtual counselling can be effective for many concerns. You can choose whichever format suits your schedule and comfort.
Marriage counselling usually works best when both spouses attend, since the focus is often on how you communicate and relate to each other. A counsellor may occasionally meet with each partner individually to explore a particular issue, then return to joint sessions. If one partner is hesitant to start, a free consultation can help clarify what to expect.
Marriage counselling typically begins by understanding your history, current concerns, and goals as a couple. From there, your counsellor helps you explore communication patterns, conflict, and the dynamics behind recurring issues. Many couples are given things to reflect on or practise between sessions. The aim is gradual, meaningful change rather than quick fixes.
Couples often consider marriage counselling when communication feels stuck, trust has been affected, or the same conflicts keep returning. You don't need to wait for a crisis; many couples in Ottawa attend to strengthen their marriage or navigate transitions like parenthood or relocation. Reaching out earlier can make concerns easier to work through together.
The terms are largely used interchangeably in Ontario, and the same clinicians often provide both. Marriage counselling sometimes refers to married partners specifically, while couples therapy applies to any committed relationship. In practice, the approach is tailored to your situation and goals. At Auren Wellness, our counsellors adapt the work to what matters most to you.
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.
