Pre-Marital Counselling in Ontario
Build a Relationship That Lasts—with Compassion, Communication, and Clarity
Whether you’re newly engaged, planning a wedding, or simply thinking ahead about your future together, pre-marital counselling is one of the most powerful investments you can make in your relationship.
In our culture, so much emphasis is placed on the wedding day—yet very little on how to build a strong, emotionally connected, resilient marriage. Many couples wait until they’re in crisis to seek support. But marriage preparation therapy offers a proactive, supportive space to deepen your bond, navigate potential challenges, and align on the values that matter most.
I’m Cortney, a registered psychotherapist in Ontario. I offer compassionate, research-informed pre-marital counselling to individuals and couples who want to build emotionally safe, healthy, and intentional partnerships that can weather the complexities of real life. I am passionate about working with couples and helping them show up as their best selves for each other.
💍 Who Is Pre-Marital Counselling For?
Pre-marital therapy isn’t just for couples in distress. In fact, the couples who benefit most are often those who are deeply committed but want to:
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Strengthen emotional intimacy
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Improve communication and conflict skills
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Navigate differences in values, culture, or family expectations
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Explore shared goals around money, parenting, roles, or boundaries
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Heal past relational wounds that may impact the partnership
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Develop tools for managing stress, change, and future challenges
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Create a secure emotional foundation rooted in mutual understanding and care
Whether you’ve been together for years or are newly engaged, this is your opportunity to slow down and intentionally prepare for a lifetime—not just a day.
🧠 How I Can Help: A Trauma-Informed, Attachment-Based Approach
As a psychotherapist with training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Gottman Method, and Relational Life Therapy (RLT), I offer a deeply compassionate, integrative approach to relationship work.
I believe healthy marriages are built on secure emotional connection. This means helping both partners feel seen, heard, and understood—not just during the good times, but especially during moments of disconnection or conflict.
In our sessions, we’ll explore:
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Your individual and shared attachment styles
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Communication patterns—especially when emotions run high
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Emotional safety and vulnerability in the relationship
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Expectations around roles, intimacy, and future goals
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Cultural, religious, or familial differences that shape your dynamics
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How to repair after arguments or misunderstandings
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Boundaries, autonomy, and interdependence
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Building a sense of “we”—while honouring the “I”
Our work will be collaborative, paced to your comfort, and always grounded in respect, non-judgment, and curiosity. This is not a place of blame—it’s a place of learning and growing together.
📚 Evidence-Based Tools We May Use:
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Gottman Method tools to enhance communication, conflict management, and connection
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Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to deepen emotional intimacy and secure bonding
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Relational Life Therapy (RLT) for honest, courageous conversations around power, responsibility, and repair
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Mindfulness-based strategies to foster self-awareness and present-moment connection
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Attachment-informed dialogue to identify and reshape unhelpful relational patterns
This integrative blend supports both the emotional and practical aspects of preparing for marriage—from navigating tough conversations to building daily habits that sustain connection.
🌈 An Inclusive, Affirming Therapy Space
I work with individuals and couples from many different backgrounds and orientations. Whether your relationship reflects a traditional model, a blended family, or something beautifully unique, I strive to honour your lived experience and identity.
This work is not just about avoiding divorce. It’s about creating a strong, flexible, emotionally honest foundation—so your relationship can thrive through the inevitable ups and downs of life.
🧭 Ready to Begin This Journey Together?
Pre-marital therapy is a gift to your future relationship. It’s a chance to grow closer, deepen understanding, and enter marriage with confidence and clarity.
If you’re in Ontario and ready to explore what this support could look like for you, I’d love to connect.
📧 Contact me today to schedule a free consultation:
cortney@ontariotherapist.com