Marriage counselling can feel like a big step—but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Whether you're just exploring your options or looking for something that actually works, you're in the right place.
Below are the most common questions couples ask before starting. No fluff. Just honest answers based on real experience with hundreds of Alberta couples.
❓ What’s the difference between marriage counselling and couples therapy?
Marriage counselling typically focuses on long-term partnerships—often dealing with resentment, disconnection, betrayal, or the slow drift that happens over time. It’s about repair and reconnection.
Couples therapy can happen at any stage: dating, engaged, living together, or unsure about staying. It’s ideal for navigating challenges before they turn into deeper patterns.
At RLT Marriage Counselling, I focus on the dynamic between you, not the label you use to define your relationship. Whether you're married or not, the work is about how you show up—and how you grow together.
❓ What if my partner isn’t fully on board?
That’s incredibly common. We can start with the partner who’s willing.
Often, once one person begins showing up differently—less blame, more clarity—the other becomes curious or motivated to join. This isn’t about dragging anyone into therapy. It’s about inviting real change, and that begins wherever you are.
❓ How much does marriage counselling cost in Canada?
Fees vary widely. In Alberta, the recommended rate for therapy is around $220 for a 50-minute session. Most insurance plans do not cover couples counselling, as it’s not classified as a medically necessary service.
At RLT Marriage Counselling, I offer extended-format sessions that maximize results:
- First 3–4 sessions: Two-hour deep dives
- Ongoing work: Flexible one-hour or two-hour options
- Fee: $150/hour
🔗
See the full cost breakdown and service comparison »
❓ Can counselling help a broken relationship?
Yes—if both people are willing to do the work.
Even relationships that feel beyond repair can shift with the right tools, structure, and support. I work with couples who are hurt, stuck, or one step from calling it quits. Many experience major breakthroughs within just a few sessions.
You don’t need perfect harmony. You just need two people willing to show up with honesty and courage.
❓ Do we meet together or separately?
Almost all sessions are done together. This work is relational—it’s not individual therapy. While there may be moments I turn more directly to one partner, the focus stays on your dynamic as a couple.
Growth happens when you're both in the room, doing the work side by side.
❓ We’ve tried counselling before. What makes this different?
This isn’t talk therapy. It’s fast, deep, and practical.
I use Relational Life Therapy (RLT)—a method built for couples, not individuals. I won’t just nod and ask, “How does that make you feel?” I’ll offer direct feedback, teach real tools, and walk with you through the hard stuff without shame or jargon.
Learn more about my approach here: 🔗
What is RLT?
❓ How soon can we start?
I offer online sessions 6 days a week, including evenings and weekends. Many couples get started within a few days.
❓ What if we live in different towns or one of us travels?
No problem at all.
Because sessions are fully online, you can join from separate locations—even different time zones. As long as you have a quiet space and stable internet, the work can happen. Many of the couples I support travel for work or live apart part-time.
Flexibility is built in.
❓ Is marriage counselling worth it?
If you’re both ready to try—yes. But results don’t come from just showing up. They come from engaging the process.
Couples I work with often experience major changes in 4–6 sessions. RLT helps you shift patterns, rebuild trust, and learn how to stay connected even when things get hard.
This is work that transforms not just your relationship—but how you show up inside it.
❓ What is the success rate of marriage counselling?
General industry studies report success rates between 70–75%. But those stats depend heavily on the method used and how ready each partner is to change.
At RLT Marriage Counselling, 95–97% of couples report major breakthroughs within 4–6 two-hour sessions. That’s because we don’t circle the issues—we go right to the heart of what’s keeping you stuck.
Success here isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and learning how to repair.
❓ What percent of married couples go to therapy?
Roughly 49% of married couples will try therapy at some point. That number is increasing, especially among younger couples and those open to preventative work.
Couples today are more likely to see therapy as part of their growth journey—not a last resort.
❓ Is it normal for unmarried couples to go to counselling?
Absolutely. Therapy isn’t just for married people. It’s for anyone wanting to build something stronger.
Whether you’re dating, living together, or figuring out if you’re a fit long term, couples counselling can help you develop clarity, healthier communication, and a shared vision.
❓ What’s the average length of couples therapy?
That depends on the method.
Some approaches like EFT average 12–20 sessions. With RLT, most couples I work with see major results in 4–6 two-hour sessions.
RLT is designed to be focused and efficient—so you’re not stuck in therapy for years just talking about the same issues.
