Couple Therapy
"Every relationship has a story. Couples therapy creates a space to understand that story more fully, and where needed, to begin writing a different one."
All relationships go through periods of strain. The question is rarely whether a relationship will face difficulty. It is whether there are tools, support, and enough trust between partners to work through it. Couples therapy at Healthy Minds Psychotherapy is designed to offer exactly that: a structured, professionally guided space for partners to do that work together.
We are a CRPO-regulated practice with over 25 years of clinical experience, serving couples across Toronto and Ontario. Our therapists bring both clinical skill and warmth to this work, and they are trained in evidence-based approaches specifically designed for couples.
What Couples Therapy Addresses
Couples come to therapy at different points. Some arrive in acute crises. Others come in earlier, when they sense something shifting and want to address it before it becomes harder to repair. Both are valid starting points. Couples therapy can be helpful when partners are dealing with:
Communication breakdown, including recurring arguments, shutdown, or difficulty feeling heard
Emotional disconnection or growing distance over time
Rebuilding trust after infidelity or a significant breach
Differing parenting approaches, values, or visions for the future
A major life transition taken on together, such as a new baby, a health diagnosis, a career change, relocation, or loss
Intimacy concerns, physical, emotional, or both
Fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, or the strain of a difficult reproductive experience on the relationship
Cultural or family-of-origin differences creating friction
Making a considered decision about the future of the relationship
Couples therapy is not about determining who is right. It is about building a shared understanding and developing the tools to meet each other with greater clarity, honesty, and care.
What to Expect
Sessions are 50 minutes and structured to give both partners equal space. Your therapist will guide the conversation, introduce practical frameworks for communication, and help you both identify the underlying patterns, not just the surface-level conflicts, that are affecting your connection.
In the early sessions, your therapist will take time to understand your relationship history, the patterns you have both noticed, and what each of you is hoping for from the process. Sessions are then shaped around where you are.
Some couples complete a focused short-term course of sessions around a specific concern. Others work over a longer period on deeper relational patterns. Your therapist will discuss what makes sense for your situation.
Our Approach
Our therapists draw on evidence-based modalities with strong research support for couples work. These include:
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): widely considered the most well-researched approach for couples, focusing on attachment patterns and rebuilding emotional connection.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for couples: practical tools for communication and conflict resolution
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills: for emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness within the relationship
Family Systems approaches: understanding each partner's family-of-origin patterns and how they show up in the relationship
Trauma-Informed Therapy: when one or both partners' histories are affecting relational safety
All couples work at Healthy Minds is guided by the same trauma-informed, strengths-based values that run through everything we do.
Who Offers Couples Therapy at Healthy Minds
Katharine De Santos, Founder and Clinic Director, brings over 25 years of clinical experience to couples work, including training in EMDR and trauma-focused approaches that can be woven into the couples context. Gabrielle McCarthy, RP (Qualifying), also works with couples and brings a dual background in nursing and counselling psychology, particularly valuable for couples dealing with health concerns, diagnosis, or fertility challenges.
During your intake call, our team will discuss which therapist is the best fit for your specific situation.
In-Person and Virtual Couples Therapy
Couples therapy is available in-person at our Toronto office at 151 Harbord Street and virtually for couples anywhere in Ontario. Virtual sessions are conducted via a secure, PHIPA-compliant platform. Many couples find the flexibility of virtual sessions helpful, particularly when coordinating two schedules.
EXPLORE OUR SERVICES
How We Can Help You
FREE TELEPHONE OR
VIDEO INTAKE
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All new clients begin with a brief 15–20 minute phone or video call with our Client Care Navigator. During this intake, we will get to know your needs and goals, answer general questions about therapy and our services, guide you through the process of getting started at Healthy Minds Psychotherapy, and connect you with the therapist best suited to your preferences, goals, and availability. Please note that this call is administrative in nature and does not involve therapy or clinical assessment.
IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL
INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY
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Individual Psychotherapy provides a safe and private space for you to share your thoughts and feelings with an involved, objective, and professional therapist. It's an opportunity to explore confusing and often painful interpersonal and emotional experiences, gaining new perspectives that lead to positive changes in your life.
Many of us have assumptions and beliefs about ourselves and others that we don't often examine. These beliefs can lead us to counterproductive and unhappy cycles of interaction, making it difficult to break free from vicious circles. Through psychotherapeutic exploration, you can discover your potential for positive change in how you think, feel, and interact with others, gaining control of your life and breaking free from negative patterns.
IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL
GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY
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We offer small scheduled structured group psychotherapy sessions (6-10 clients) focusing on various issues. It offers a sense of belonging, reduces isolation, and promotes personal growth through feedback, encouragement, and social learning. Group therapy can improve communication and interpersonal skills, increase self-awareness, and empower individuals to become more resilient.
CLINICAL SUPERVISION
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Whether you're just starting out in your career or looking to enhance your existing practice, clinical supervision can help you achieve your goals and take your practice to the next level. Our clinic director can work closely with you to guide you through complex cases, offer feedback and support, and help you develop your clinical skills. Through regular supervision, you can gain new insights, expand your knowledge base, and build your confidence as a practitioner.
CUSTOMIZED CARE
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Starting therapy can be a challenging step to take, even if you know it's essential for achieving your goals or overcoming obstacles. We understand the anxiety that may arise as you approach therapy, and we are here to support you through this process. Our goal is to create a welcoming and supportive atmosphere that fosters the necessary but difficult work of exploring oneself in therapy.
We will carefully listen to you to understand where you are and where you want to go in life. Together, we will develop a personalized plan that addresses your current needs while also aligning with your long-term goals. With our guidance and support, you can gain the courage and tools to move forward and achieve a more fulfilling life.
OUR APPROACH
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Our approach is focused on tailoring the treatment to your individual needs and goals. We recognize that what may work for one person may not work for another, and so we draw from a wide range of interventions, including individual, group, and family therapy, crisis intervention, and assessments for a variety of issues such as eating disorders, substance use, relationship issues and challenges in the workplace.. As eclectic therapists, we are committed to utilizing our deep and extensive experience with multiple treatment options to provide you with expert care and support. Our ultimate goal is to help you achieve your desired outcomes and lead a fulfilling life.