Who is couples therapy for?

  • Dating, engaged, or married
  • Close friends navigating challenges together
  • Facing conflict or growing apart
  • Rebuilding trust after a rupture
  • Exploring open or non-traditional relationships
  • New parents feeling overwhelmed
  • LGBTQ+ couples looking for affirming support

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How can Couples Therapy help me?

Couples therapy at Shift Collab is designed to strengthen and repair relationships. Our skilled therapists assist couples in improving communication, resolving conflicts, and fostering intimacy.

Whether you are facing specific challenges or seeking preventive care, couples can expect a collaborative and non-judgmental environment to explore and enhance their connection through online couples counselling.

Is marriage counselling the same as couples therapy?

Many people use marriage counselling and couples therapy interchangeably. At Shift Collab, online couples counselling supports dating, engaged, married, and non-traditional partners who want practical tools to communicate better and reconnect.

How does Couples Therapy work?

Couples Therapy involves joint sessions where partners can openly and confidentially discuss their concerns with the guidance of a trained therapist. Acting as a neutral third party, the therapist helps mediate conversations, hold space for both partners’ perspectives, and facilitate structured dialogue that might be difficult to navigate alone.

Through effective communication techniques, conflict resolution strategies, and targeted interventions, couples learn to address challenges, rebuild trust, and strengthen emotional connection. Shift Collab’s approach emphasizes mutual understanding, empathy, and practical tools for sustained positive change.

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Common relationship challenges and how couples therapy can help

Financial Stress

Our therapy services help couples facing tension around money, budgeting, debt, or financial decision-making.We support partners in developing healthy communication around finances and building mutual understanding to reduce conflict and plan for the future together.

Conflict and Frequent Arguments

Our therapy services help couples manage recurring conflicts, emotional outbursts, and unproductive patterns of arguing.

We provide tools and strategies for resolving disagreements with empathy and clarity—turning conflict into growth.

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Emotional Intimacy and Connection

Our therapy services are designed to help couples who feel emotionally distant or disconnected from one another.

We support partners in rebuilding intimacy, increasing vulnerability, and deepening their emotional bond.

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Trust and Infidelity

Our couples therapy services guide couples through rebuilding trust after betrayal, dishonesty, or infidelity.

We offer a safe environment to explore the root of trust issues and support partners in working toward healing and reconnection.

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Sexual Intimacy

Our therapy services help couples experiencing challenges related to sexual connection, mismatched libidos, or intimacy concerns. We create a supportive space to explore needs, improve communication, and rebuild a fulfilling sexual relationship.

Communication

Our therapy services support couples navigating communication breakdowns, misunderstandings, and emotional disconnect.

We help partners develop healthier communication patterns, strengthen active listening, and create space for open, honest dialogue.

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Life Transitions

Our therapy services support couples navigating major life transitions, such as career changes, moving, or becoming parents, that place strain on their relationship.

We provide space to process these changes and tools to stay connected through periods of uncertainty.

Parenting

Our therapy services address the diverse challenges of parenting and co-parenting dynamics, offering strategies for effective communication, discipline, and emotional support.

Therapy can assist in fostering a nurturing environment that promotes both the parent's and child's well-being.

How online therapy works at Shift Collab

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Tell us what’s going on

Take a moment to fill out our quick, confidential questionnaire. Share what brings you here, what you’re hoping to get from therapy, and the kind of support and therapist you’re looking for.

Get matched with the right therapist

Based on your answers, we’ll handpick three therapists who align with what you’re looking for, each personally reviewed by our Care Team (real people, no bots!). No guesswork, just the right options, fast.

Start therapy, feel supported

Book a free 15-minute meet and greet with any (or all!) of your therapist matches to find your best fit. You can find a therapist and start therapy as early as tomorrow. If it’s not quite right, our Fit Guarantee means a free rematch within 30 days.

GET MATCHED WITH A THERAPIST

Why choose Shift Collab instead of other couples therapy services?

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CURATED THERAPISTS

About 2% of therapists who apply are hired, so you are collaborating with carefully chosen professionals.

PROVEN EXPERIENCE

Our therapists average 11 years of clinical experience, so you can feel confident knowing you're in the care of experienced professionals.

FIT GUARANTEE

If you're not totally satisfied with your therapist after 30 days, we'll rematch you and give you a free session.

HIGH-TOUCH SERVICE

We're open 7-days a week and hyper-responsive, ensuring that you have a hassle-free online therapy experience.

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See why over 23,000+ Canadians choose us.

Popular clinical approaches used everyday at Shift Collab.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Internal Family Systems (IFS) sees you as made up of different "parts," like the part that people-pleases or the part that shuts down under stress. In therapy, IFS helps you get to know these parts and understand what each one needs, so they can work together instead of against each other.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured therapy that helps you process distressing or traumatic memories so they stop feeling as raw in daily life. Using guided eye movements or another bilateral technique, it helps your brain reprocess a memory so it's stored with less emotional charge, without needing to describe the event in detail.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a short-term approach that focuses on adult attachment and the bonds between you and the people closest to you. It helps you understand what's driving your emotional reactions, so you can rebuild trust and connection in your relationships.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive-behavioural therapy that blends practical skills with real talk about your emotions and relationships. It teaches you mindfulness, distress tolerance, and communication skills you can use to manage intense feelings and connect more easily with others.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a structured, skills-based approach that helps you notice the loop between what you think, how you feel, and what you do next. When anxiety is loud, that loop can sound like: If I speak up in this meeting, I will sound stupid → chest tightens → you stay quiet → the worry gets more convincing next time.

In CBT you and your therapist treat those thoughts as hypotheses, not facts. You learn to catch them earlier, test them against what is actually happening, and practise small behavioural experiments that rebuild confidence in real life. Sessions stay collaborative and concrete. You leave with tools you can use between appointments, not just insights that fade by Tuesday.

At Shift Collab, CBT is offered virtually across Canada with registered therapists (RSW / RP). If CBT is not the best fit after you start, the Fit Guarantee covers a free rematch within 30 days of your Initial Session.

Attachment-Based Therapy (ABT)

Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how your earliest bonds taught you what closeness costs, what conflict means, and whether it is safe to need anyone. Those lessons show up in texts you reread twelve times, in shutting down mid-argument, or in choosing partners who keep you slightly unsure.

In attachment-based work, you and your therapist map those patterns with curiosity rather than blame. The goal is to understand the adaptive strategies you built, feel the emotions that got skipped, and practise new ways of reaching for connection that feel safer in adult relationships.

At Shift Collab this work happens virtually across Canada with registered therapists. If the fit is off after you start, the Fit Guarantee covers a free rematch within 30 days of your Initial Session.

Discover more clinical approaches that we offer.

Find the right online couples therapist for you

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Suzette McLarty

Suzette McLarty

Registered Social Worker

Nadia McNairn

Nadia McNairn

Registered Social Worker

Osman Khan

Osman Khan

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Meet our couples therapists

Curious about online therapy, but not quite sure? Start here.

Whether you're new to therapy or wondering if virtual sessions are right for you, these posts break it all down. From getting started to finding the right therapist, you’ll learn what to expect and why online therapy in Canada can be a powerful next step.

How To Get The Most Out Of Couples Therapy

How To Get The Most Out Of Couples Therapy

Navigating Conflict With Your Partner

Navigating Conflict With Your Partner

Do You Even Care About Me? Navigating Relationship Anxiety

Do You Even Care About Me? Navigating Relationship Anxiety

Common questions about starting care.

Is online therapy effective in Canada?
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Yes. Online therapy is a flexible way for people in Canada to get support. At Shift Collab, we create a safe and confidential space where you can explore challenges, build skills, and work toward your goals from home.

What cities in Canada do you offer therapy?
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At Shift Collab, we provide online therapy in Canada. Whether you're in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax, or a smaller town in between, you can access therapy from anywhere with a secure internet connection.

Can therapy help if I'm not in a crisis?
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Absolutely. You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Many clients come to strengthen communication, build coping skills, or navigate life changes with support. At Shift Collab, we support people at every stage.

Do you offer 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive therapy in Canada?
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Absolutely. We proudly offer 2SLGBTQ+ affirming therapy in Canada. Our therapists are experienced in supporting diverse identities and relationship structures, and we’re committed to creating a space where you feel respected, understood, and supported.

Have more questions? We're here to help.

Common questions about starting care

What is the success rate of therapy?

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According to the American Psychological Association, almost 90% of people feel significantly better after therapy. According to the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, couples who participate in marital therapy see a 70% improvement in their relationship. And it's not just couples who benefit; over 80% of veterans with PTSD find therapy useful, according to The Department of Veterans Affairs.

Moreover, children and adolescents receiving therapy report significant improvements in their behaviour, mood, and functionality, as noted by The National Institute of Mental Health. Ultimately, the effectiveness of therapy depends on your commitment, but the evidence shows that you're likely to experience incredible benefits.

How much are the sessions?

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We offer a variety of price points to meet different needs. Our sessions start at $140 per 50-minute session, and we offer reduced rates for postsecondary students and new grads. You can find our current rates on our services pages.

Why should I pick Shift Collab over another therapy practice?

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We are a curated group practice — not a network or directory. Fewer than 5% of therapists who apply are accepted, and every RSW and RP on our team is hand-selected for clinical skill and fit.

We also take matching seriously. After you complete a short questionnaire, we pair you with a therapist based on your specific needs, goals, and preferences. And if it's not the right fit within 30 days, our Fit Guarantee means we'll rematch you and give you a complimentary session.

Am I covered for therapy?

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Psychotherapy and Social Work are regulated health professions in Canada, but sessions are not covered under provincial health plans like OHIP.

Most extended health benefit plans do cover sessions with a Registered Social Worker (RSW) or Registered Psychotherapist (RP) — or both. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to confirm your specific coverage and approved rates.

How soon can I start therapy?

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If you're interested in starting therapy, we'll do our best to connect you with an appropriate therapist within the next 24 hours. Of course, this also depends on your own availability.

If you'd like to get a better understanding of a therapist's approach and suitability, we recommend taking advantage of our complimentary Meet & Greet option.

How does the Fit Guarantee work?

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We’re really good at finding great client-therapist matches. But if you’re not clicking with your registered psychotherapist or social worker within 30 days of starting therapy, Fit Guarantee™ means we’ll match you with another and give you a complimentary session.

Is my therapy session tax deductible?

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Psychotherapy services provided by a Registered Social Worker (RSW) or Registered Psychotherapist (RP) may qualify as a medical expense deduction on your Canadian income tax return. We recommend checking with your accountant or the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to confirm your eligibility based on your specific situation.

Are therapy sessions confidential?

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Yes. Everything you share with your therapist stays between you and them.

There are a small number of legally required exceptions — if there is a risk of harm to you or someone else, or if there are concerns about child abuse or neglect, your therapist may be required to share information with the appropriate parties. If that situation ever arises, your therapist will have an open conversation with you before any information is shared.

Outside of those situations, your sessions are fully confidential.

Have more questions? We're here to help.

An exceptional therapy experience is waiting for you.

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Fit Guarantee

High-Touch Service

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