Marriage and Relationship Counselling in Red Deer and Across Alberta
When You Can’t Get Through to Each Other, It Starts to Affect Everything
Maybe the conversations go in circles.
Maybe one of you shuts down while the other pushes harder.
Maybe things have gone quiet, distant, or tense and nothing really gets resolved.
You have probably tried to talk it through.
You might have even tried counselling before.
And the same issues keep showing up, and the disconnection does not go away.
This is where most couples get stuck.
There is a way to understand what’s happening and change it.
What Keeps This Pattern Going
What you’re experiencing is not random.
They are driven by
automatic relationship patterns.
The default reactions each of you fall into when things get tense.
One pushes. One pulls back.
One criticizes. The other defends.
Or both of you shut down and nothing gets addressed at all.
Individually, these reactions make sense.
Together, they create a loop that keeps your relationship stuck.
Until that pattern is understood and interrupted in real time, nothing really changes.
This is where most approaches stop. This work does not.
Marriage Counselling and Couples Therapy That Works With the Pattern
At RLT Marriage Counselling, I offer a structured, skills-based approach to:
- marriage counselling
- couples therapy
- relationship counselling
All grounded in Relational Life Therapy (RLT).
This work helps you:
- understand what each of you brings into conflict
- see how your patterns interact in real time
- learn how to interrupt those reactions as they happen
- build practical repair skills that actually work at home
This is not about talking more.
It is about changing how you show up in your relationship.
How This Work Is Different
Most couples who come here have already tried to fix things.
They have talked it through.
They understand the problem.
But the pattern is still running the show.
Here is what is different about this work:
- We focus on patterns, not just communication tips
- We slow conflict down so you can see what is actually happening
- Sessions are longer so we can get to the root without rushing
- You leave with tools you can use immediately
- We work with accountability and repair, not blame
This is not about managing symptoms.
It is about creating real change.
What Starts to Change
When the pattern shifts, the relationship starts to feel different.
Couples begin to:
- restore emotional connection
- understand what drives their conflict
- interrupt escalation before it takes over
- repair in a way that actually lands
- rebuild trust and emotional safety
- replace defensiveness with real listening
- create agreements that hold up in daily life
This is where the relationship starts to feel different. Not just in session, but at home.
Who This Is For
This work is for couples who are:
- having the same unresolved conversations over and over
- feeling distant, shut down, or disconnected
- working through broken trust or betrayal
- feeling more like roommates than partners
- trying to make stepfamily or blended family life work
- preparing for marriage and wanting a stronger foundation
- concerned about how conflict is affecting their children
You do not need to be in crisis.
But you do need to be willing to look at what is happening and try something different.
Real Couples. Real Change.
5 Star Rating is based on the last 5 reviews on Google Reviews
Couples who come in feeling stuck, disconnected, or unsure what’s next often begin to see meaningful shifts within just a few sessions.
How the Process Works
Everything starts with a free 30-minute introductory session.
This is a real conversation where we:
- look at what is going on
- begin identifying patterns
- assess whether this approach fits your situation
If you choose to move forward:
- sessions are typically 2 hours
- most couples begin with 4–6 sessions
- sessions are spaced out so you can practice between them
This is structured work that builds momentum, not just insight.
This is where the real work begins.
Premarital Counselling That Builds the Foundation Early
Not every couple comes in because something is wrong.
Some want to build something strong from the start.
The Premarital Road Map is a structured, proactive process that helps you:
- understand each other’s patterns early
- build communication and repair skills
- align on expectations, roles, and values
- prepare for real-life stress before it hits
This is not about fixing problems.
It is about preventing them from taking hold in the first place.
When Things Feel Like They Are Falling Apart
Some couples come in at a breaking point.
Trust has been damaged.
Conversations are not going anywhere.
You are not sure what happens next.
In these situations, we can move into more focused support like a Relationship 911 Intensive.
This is structured, extended work designed to:
- stabilize the relationship quickly
- bring clarity to what is happening
- create a path forward, whether that is repair or separation
When things feel urgent, we do not wait. We get to work.
Why This Work Holds Over Time
Understanding your relationship feels good in the moment.
But under stress, old patterns come back.
That is normal.
Lasting change comes from:
- practicing what you learn between sessions
- getting support when things get difficult
- learning how to repair in real time
- building new relational habits over time
This is not about a single breakthrough.
It is about learning how to show up differently, consistently.
This is how change becomes something you can rely on, not just something you felt once.
Meet Rick Martin
I work exclusively with couples who feel stuck, shut down, or caught in patterns that are not changing.
This work is direct and practical.
We slow conflict down, build real repair skills, and help you rebuild trust in a way that holds up at home.
I’ll walk with you through that process.
Who You’re Working With
I am a Certified Relational Life Therapist with over 25 years of experience in behavioural systems and advanced RLT training.
This is not general therapy.
This is specialized relationship work.
In-Person in Red Deer and Virtual Across Alberta
You can work with me:
- in-person at the Red Deer office (Mondays and Thursdays)
- virtually through secure Zoom sessions across Alberta
Many couples choose virtual sessions because:
- there is no travel
- scheduling is easier
- partners can join from different locations
It is not about the room.
It is about showing up and doing the work.
Not Sure Where to Start?
If you’re feeling stuck but not sure what the next step looks like, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Start here:
👉 What to Expect and How This Works
Understand how sessions are structured, what happens in the intro session, and how we begin working together.
👉 Introductory Session: Your First Conversation
Learn what happens in your free 30-minute intro session and how we assess whether this is the right fit.
👉 Virtual Sessions: Flexible and Private
See how online couples counselling works and how you can attend from anywhere in Alberta.
👉 In-Person Sessions in Red Deer
Learn how in-person sessions are structured and whether this option fits your schedule.
👉 RLT Skills: What You’ll Actually Learn
Explore the practical tools and relational skills you’ll begin using in your sessions.
👉 Not the Right Starting Point?
Understand when couples counselling should pause, what needs to come first, and how to move forward safely and effectively.
Common Questions Before You Get Started
What if my partner is not fully on board?
That's more common than you think. Many partners join once they see the work is practical and not about blame.
How quickly will we know if this is helping?
Most couples begin to see clear patterns within the first few sessions and start noticing real shifts soon after.
What happens in the free introductory session?
It is a no-pressure conversation to understand your situation and see if this approach fits before you commit.
Not sure if couples counselling is the right step?
Most couples come in because something keeps repeating and nothing is changing.
You do not need to be in crisis, but you do need to be ready to look at what is happening and try something different.
Ready to Take the Next Step
If you are ready to stop repeating the same patterns and start building something that actually holds, we can begin with one conversation.
