Relationship Counselling in Ottawa
Relationships come with patterns — learn yours. Relationship counselling in Ottawa, in person and online.
✓ Same-week ✓ Direct billing ✓ Sliding scale ✓ Licensed therapists
Book a free consultationRelationships come with patterns — learn yours. Relationship 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're not unhappy or fighting, but something feels a bit flat or distant. You love each other — you just want the relationship to feel more alive.
A new job, a move, a child, a loss. Major changes stress even strong relationships. What worked before doesn't quite work now.
You've both changed over the years, which is normal — but some of those changes created distance rather than depth. You want to feel close again.
Relationship counselling at Auren Wellness is collaborative and focused on real change — not just giving you things to say, but helping you understand why you react the way you do and what you actually need from each other.
We draw on the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). The Gottman Method gives couples concrete, research-based tools for communication, conflict, and connection. EFT looks at the emotional patterns underneath conflict — what each person is reaching for when they fight, withdraw, or go quiet — and helps them reach in a way their partner can receive. Together, these address both the practical and emotional dimensions of what's happening.
Most couples find that seeing the cycle they're in, rather than just the content of the latest argument, shifts something meaningful — and the work tends to go faster than people expect. For couples where conflict has become a central issue, see our page on therapy for conflict in relationships.
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
Relationship counselling in Ottawa generally costs around $150 to $225 per session, depending on the clinician's designation and experience. Auren Wellness provides sessions with Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Social Workers and offers sliding-scale options for those who need them. A free 15-minute consultation lets you ask about fees before you book.
OHIP does not cover relationship counselling, but many extended health plans reimburse sessions with a Registered Psychotherapist or Registered Social Worker. Whether you're covered depends on your specific plan and the provider's designation, so checking your benefits is a helpful first step. Auren Wellness offers direct billing to many insurers across Ontario.
The terms overlap and are often used interchangeably. Relationship counselling sometimes describes shorter, more focused work on specific concerns, while couples therapy may explore deeper patterns over a longer period. Relationship counselling also applies to any committed couple, whether dating, engaged, or married. Auren Wellness tailors the approach to your goals rather than the label.
Relationship counselling can help many couples communicate more openly, manage conflict, and understand recurring patterns. It tends to be most effective when both partners are committed to the process. A relationship counsellor in Ottawa focuses on the changes you want to make together, without promising a particular outcome, since every relationship is unique.
Some couples find shorter work of roughly 6 to 12 sessions helpful for specific concerns, while others continue longer to address deeper or long-standing issues. The right length depends on your goals and how engaged both partners are. Your counsellor at Auren Wellness can offer a clearer sense of timing after getting to know your situation.
Yes. Auren Wellness offers virtual relationship counselling to clients throughout Ontario, alongside in-person sessions at our Ottawa office. Many couples value the convenience and privacy of meeting from home, and research suggests online sessions can be effective for many concerns. You're welcome to choose whichever format works best for you both.
Relationship counselling isn't only for couples in crisis. Many couples attend to improve communication, rebuild trust, navigate a major change, or prevent smaller issues from growing. Reaching out before things feel overwhelming can make concerns easier to address. Booking a free 15-minute consult with an Auren couples therapist in Ottawa is an easy way to begin.
Relationship counselling can support couples at any stage, including those dating or living together, not only married partners. Many couples use it to strengthen communication, work through a specific challenge, or build a foundation early on. What matters most is that both partners are willing to engage. The work is tailored to where your relationship is now.
A typical session involves both partners meeting with the counsellor to discuss concerns, goals, and how you interact. Your counsellor helps you explore communication, conflict, and the dynamics behind recurring issues, and may suggest things to reflect on between sessions. The focus is on understanding each partner's perspective and working toward gradual, meaningful change.
Relationship counselling can be a supportive setting for working through challenges like communication breakdowns, recurring conflict, or eroded trust. A counsellor helps both partners understand the patterns involved and practise new ways of relating. Progress often happens gradually as both people stay engaged. An Auren relationship counsellor in Ottawa can help you explore where to begin.
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.
