Couples Counselling · Nanaimo, BC
Couples Counselling in Nanaimo
Real help for real relationships. We use the Gottman Method and EFFT to help Nanaimo couples rebuild trust, improve communication, and find their way back to each other — through virtual sessions that fit your schedule.
Free initial consultation · Evening & weekend availability · No waitlist
You don't have to be in crisis to come to couples counselling
Some couples come to TEO after years of the same argument going nowhere. Others come because they love each other and want to stay that way. Some come after an affair, a major life change, or a slow drift apart they're not sure how to reverse.
Whatever brought you here — it took courage. Most couples wait too long before asking for support. The fact that you're looking is already a step in the right direction.
Our therapists work with both partners, not against either one. The goal is never to assign blame — it's to understand what's really happening between you, and help you both move forward.
The same arguments keep happening and nothing changes
You feel more like roommates than partners
Trust was broken and you don't know how to rebuild it
Intimacy has faded and you're not sure why
You're navigating a big life transition together (new baby, job change, loss)
You want to strengthen your relationship before problems develop
Communication always ends in defensiveness or shutdown
You're considering separation and want to make an informed decision
How we work with couples
We use the most evidence-based approaches to couples therapy available — methods developed through decades of research on what actually helps relationships improve.
The Gottman Method
Developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman at the Gottman Institute and grounded in over 40 years of research with more than 3,000 couples, the Gottman Method gives us precise tools to identify what's undermining your relationship and what will actually rebuild it. It focuses on deepening friendship, managing conflict without contempt, and building shared meaning.
Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
EFFT works with the emotional attachment bonds that hold relationships together. When those bonds feel threatened — by distance, conflict, or betrayal — it creates cycles of pursuing and withdrawing that couples get stuck in. EFFT helps you understand those cycles and break free from them, creating more secure emotional connection.
Your Nanaimo couples therapists
Mohamad Shabib
MACP, CCC, RP(q)
Mohamad is a Gottman-trained (Levels 1 & 2) and EFFT-trained therapist with advanced EMDR training. His work spans cross-cultural relationships, couples navigating trauma, and partners wanting to rebuild after conflict or betrayal. He brings warmth, directness, and deep respect for the courage it takes to work on a relationship.
Sessions available in English and Arabic.
Full profile →Alison Shaji
MA, RCC
Alison specializes in couples counselling and brings training in EMDR, DBT, EFFT, Inner Child Work, and Shadow Work to her sessions. Her primary focus is helping couples navigate communication breakdowns, emotional distance, and relationship transitions with compassion and clarity.
Sessions available in English, Hindi, and Malayalam.
Full profile →Practical details for Nanaimo couples
All sessions are virtual — which means both partners can attend from home without coordinating commutes, parking, or scheduling around a fixed location in Nanaimo. Evening and weekend availability makes it possible for working couples to attend consistently.
Book Free ConsultationQuestions from Nanaimo couples
What does couples counselling in Nanaimo cost?
Couples sessions are $175 per hour. A sliding scale starting at $110 is available for those who need it. Your first consultation is always free — no commitment.
What is the Gottman Method?
The Gottman Method is one of the most extensively researched approaches to couples therapy in the world, developed at the University of Washington. It identifies specific patterns that predict relationship breakdown — and specific interventions that reverse them. It's not vague advice; it's a structured, evidence-based process.
Do you offer in-person couples counselling in Nanaimo?
All sessions are virtual. Research consistently shows virtual couples therapy is as effective as in-person. Evening and weekend availability makes it easy for both partners to attend without rearranging work schedules — which actually improves consistency.
How many sessions does couples counselling take?
Most couples see meaningful progress within 8–12 sessions. Some come with a specific issue and resolve it in fewer. Others want longer-term support. The pace is set by you, not by us.
Does insurance cover couples counselling in Nanaimo?
Some extended health plans cover couples therapy under registered counsellor benefits. Coverage varies by plan — check with your provider whether your plan covers Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC) or Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCC). We provide receipts for direct reimbursement.
Can we come to couples counselling if we're thinking about separating?
Yes. Couples counselling can help you make a clearer, more informed decision — whether that means finding your way back to each other or separating with less conflict and more understanding. There's no agenda from our side either way.
Serving couples in Nanaimo and across Vancouver Island
North Nanaimo · South Nanaimo · Departure Bay · Lantzville · Parksville · Qualicum Beach · Port Alberni · Courtenay · Campbell River · Victoria · Anywhere in BC with a stable internet connection
Related services: Relationship Counselling · Therapy in Nanaimo · Gottman Method
Ready to take the first step together?
Book a free, no-pressure consultation. We'll talk about what you're going through and figure out together if we're the right fit — no commitment required.
Book Free ConsultationOr call us: (672) 648-0512