Couples Counselling  in Barrie, ON

At Reset Counselling & Psychotherapy, we offer couples counselling in Barrie with a team of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Social Workers. We provide in-person couples counselling in Barrie and virtual therapy across Ontario.


Every relationship goes through hard seasons. Some couples come to us after years of repeating the same arguments. Others arrive feeling distant — not fighting, just quietly disconnected. Wherever you are right now, reaching out is a meaningful step. Our therapists work with both of you to help you communicate more clearly, rebuild trust, and reconnect in ways that feel real and lasting.

✔ Barrie Office — Unit 201-151 Essa Road ✔ In-Person + Virtual Sessions Available

✔ Registered Psychotherapists and Social Workers ✔ Extended Health Receipts Available — Confirm Plan Eligibility

When Couples Counselling May Help

Not every relationship struggle looks the same. Here are some of the most common reasons couples come to us.

Communication Problems and Repeating Arguments


You've had this conversation before. It escalates quickly, or shuts down entirely — and nothing gets resolved. Communication breakdown shows up in many ways: criticism, defensiveness, feeling unheard, or a pattern of escalation and withdrawal that leaves both of you more frustrated than before.


If your disagreements go in circles, or if conflict has made everyday conversation feel exhausting, couples counselling can help you identify what's driving the cycle and learn how to break it.


Emotional Distance and Loss of Intimacy


Sometimes there's no major conflict — just a quiet drift. You're sharing a home, coordinating schedules, managing life together. But the warmth that used to come easily isn't there. Emotional disconnection and a fading sense of affection and physical intimacy can make partners feel more like roommates than a couple.


This kind of relationship drift is common, and it responds well to the right support. Loneliness within a relationship is just as real as any other struggle.


Trust, Betrayal and Infidelity


When trust is broken — through an affair, secrecy, or other forms of betrayal — it leaves a deep relationship injury. Recovery is possible, but it takes time, structure, and a safe space where both partners feel heard rather than judged.


Our therapists approach infidelity and betrayal recovery with care and without taking sides. We don't promise a particular outcome, but we do provide the kind of skilled, steady support that gives your relationship a real chance at rebuilding emotional safety.


Parenting, Stress and Major Life Changes


Becoming parents, navigating blended families, managing financial stress, career changes, relocation — major life transitions strain even strong relationships. Parenting disagreements, differing approaches to money, or simply the pressure of carrying too much can erode your connection over time.


If your relationship feels the weight of things happening around it, rather than just between you, that's worth addressing too. Therapy can help you face external stressors as a team.

What Couples Therapy Can Help You Build Together

Working with a couples therapist isn't only about addressing what's broken. It's also about building something stronger.

Healthier Communication and Conflict Resolution


Good communication isn't about never disagreeing — it's about knowing how to work through disagreements without damage. Therapy helps you develop practical communication skills, strengthen your ability to listen, and make repair attempts that actually land. Emotional regulation and healthy conflict management reduce the frequency and intensity of harmful exchanges.


Trust and Emotional Safety


Trust rebuilt through therapy tends to be sturdier than what existed before. Through guided work, couples develop a stronger sense of emotional safety, attachment security, and mutual reliability. When both partners feel respected and seen, vulnerability becomes possible — and that's where real connection lives.


Connection, Affection and Intimacy


Emotional connection feeds everything else in a relationship. Therapy helps couples rediscover fondness and appreciation for each other — the small moments of affection, warmth, and genuine friendship that sustain intimacy over time. These aren't things that disappear permanently; they're things that need tending.


A Stronger Sense of Partnership


The couples who do well aren't necessarily the ones who agree on everything. They're the ones who feel like a team. Therapy helps partners build shared goals, create rituals of connection, support each other's individual wellbeing, and develop a shared sense of meaning that holds the relationship together.

Find a Couples Therapist

Our Approach to Couples Counselling

We don't apply a single fixed technique to every couple. Our therapists draw from a range of evidence-based modalities and select what fits your relationship, your goals, and where you are right now.

  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy

    The Gottman Method, developed by Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Julie Gottman, provides a research-informed framework for understanding and strengthening relationships. It builds on what Gottman researchers call the "Sound Relationship House" — a model grounded in friendship, emotional responsiveness, and shared meaning. Core principles include building Love Maps (knowing each other's inner worlds), nurturing fondness and admiration, turning toward each other rather than away, and managing conflict constructively. Reset incorporates Gottman principles to help couples understand and strengthen the foundations of their relationship.

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

    Emotionally Focused Therapy addresses the emotional patterns beneath conflict and disconnection. EFT is grounded in attachment theory — the understanding that humans are wired for emotional bonds, and that distress in relationships often reflects unmet attachment needs rather than personality flaws. Our therapists use EFT to help couples identify their negative interaction cycles, respond to each other's emotional needs more effectively, and rebuild a secure emotional bond.

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

    Thoughts drive behaviour — including conflict responses. CBT helps couples identify the beliefs and thought patterns that fuel withdrawal, criticism, or escalation, and replace them with more constructive ways of thinking and responding. Used within couples therapy, CBT builds practical communication tools and supports healthier coping when tension arises.

  • Trauma-Informed Therapy and EMDR

    Past trauma shows up in present relationships. Triggers, emotional reactivity, and relationship injuries can all have roots in earlier experiences. Where clinically appropriate, our therapists bring a trauma-informed lens to couples work. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) may be used in individual work alongside couples therapy where past wounds are affecting the relationship — not as a standard element of every session, but when it's the right fit.

  • Therapy Tailored to Your Relationship

    We're not here to apply a formula. Every couple's story is different, and your therapist will collaborate with you to find an approach that fits. Our work is unbiased and non-judgmental — we support both partners equally.

What to Expect From Couples Counselling at Reset

Knowing what to expect makes it easier to take the first step.

01

Your First Couples Counselling Session

Your first session is an intake. Your therapist will meet with each partner separately — this is a deliberate part of our process. It gives each of you space to share your perspective, your history, and what you're hoping will change, without the pressure of your partner in the room. It also helps your therapist assess fit, understand the full picture, and begin thinking about goals.



By the end of the first session, you'll have a clearer sense of what therapy with us will look like.

02

Creating Goals and Understanding Your Relationship Patterns

Early sessions focus on identifying your relationship's patterns — the recurring cycles, the unspoken dynamics, and the strengths you may be overlooking. Your therapist will work with you to assess your relationship history and develop goals that feel meaningful to both of you, not just a generic to-do list.

03

What Happens in Ongoing Sessions

Sessions are guided conversations, not lectures. Your therapist facilitates exchanges that might be hard to have on your own — helping both of you speak and be heard. Over time, you'll practise new communication approaches, build emotional awareness, and develop tools you can use between sessions. Progress check-ins keep the work on track and responsive to what's actually shifting.

04

How Long Does Couples Counselling Take?

There's no fixed answer. Duration depends on the concerns you're working through, your relationship history, how often you attend, and how deeply you engage between sessions. Some couples find real movement in a focused block of sessions; others benefit from longer-term support. Your therapist will check in regularly to make sure the pace feels right.

Find the Right Couples Therapist in Barrie

Registered Psychotherapists and Relationship Counsellors


Our couples therapists hold professional designations including Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and Registered Social Worker (RSW), regulated by their respective colleges in Ontario. These credentials matter — they determine what your insurance plan may cover, and they reflect a meaningful standard of clinical training. Our therapists bring direct experience in relationship and couples work, drawing from modalities including EFT, CBT, EMDR, and Gottman-informed approaches.

A smiling person with dark hair wears a white t-shirt, posed outdoors against a blurred stone wall and metal gate.

Lindsay Tsang, RP

Registered Psychotherapist | CRPO | OACCPP

Couples specialties: communication, trust, connection, emotional distance

Modalities: person-centred, attachment-based, Gottman-informed

A smiling person with dark hair and glasses wears a light gray blazer over a black top against a white background.

Tamari Thompson-Kraft, RP

Registered Psychotherapist

Couples specialties: trauma in relationships, betrayal recovery, communication, conflict

Modalities: CBT, Narrative Therapy, EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy

A smiling person with blonde hair in a low ponytail, wearing a grey cardigan over a floral print dress.

Leah Juras, RP

Registered Psychotherapist | CRPO

Couples specialties: emotional distance, relationship repair, difficult transitions
Modalities: Emotionally Focused Therapy, attachment-based, CBT, DBT, ACT

Finding a Therapist Both Partners Feel Comfortable With


The right therapist isn't just someone one partner likes — both of you need to feel respected and heard. Our therapists don't act as referees or take sides. They hold space for both partners equally.


If you're not sure where to start, our therapist-matching quiz helps you get a feel for each clinician's approach before booking. You can also browse full profiles, watch videos, and reach out to us directly at info@resetbarrie.ca if you'd like a recommendation.

Couples Counselling in Barrie and Across Simcoe County

In-Person Couples Therapy in Barrie


We offer in-person couples counselling at our Barrie office, located at Unit 201-151 Essa Road, Barrie, Ontario. Our space is designed to be calm and private — a practical, comfortable setting for this kind of work. If you're looking for couples therapy with a Registered Psychotherapist in Barrie, our team is currently accepting new clients. Parking is available on site.


Virtual Couples Counselling Across Ontario


Secure virtual therapy is available for couples across Ontario. Sessions are conducted via video and are fully confidential. Virtual couples counselling follows the same clinical approach as in-person sessions — the format is simply more flexible, making it easier to attend consistently regardless of schedule or distance.


Serving Couples From Barrie and Surrounding Communities


We work with couples from across Barrie, Orillia, Innisfil, Bradford and Bradford West Gwillimbury, New Tecumseth, and the broader Simcoe County region. Through virtual therapy, we're accessible to couples anywhere in Ontario.

Fees, Insurance and Booking Couples Therapy

Couples Counselling Fees and Insurance Coverage


Couples counselling sessions at Reset are $170 per 50-minute session. This rate applies to both in-person and virtual appointments.


We do not offer direct billing at this time, but we provide official receipts after each session for insurance reimbursement. Many extended health plans cover services provided by a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) or Registered Social Worker (RSW) — confirm your plan's coverage and which provider designations are eligible. Sessions are not covered by OHIP.


Do You Need a Referral?


No referral is required. You can book directly through our online booking page at any time. Some insurance plans have their own reimbursement requirements, so it's worth confirming with your provider before your first session.


In-Person, Virtual and Phone Appointment Options


Our couples therapists — Lindsay Tsang, Tamari Thompson-Kraft, and Leah Juras — offer in-person and virtual sessions. Evening availability is offered by several therapists. You can view live availability and book directly at resetbarrie.janeapp.com.

When Couples Counselling May Not Be the Right First Step

Couples counselling works best when both partners can participate safely and voluntarily.

Safety, Abuse and Coercive Control


Joint therapy is not appropriate in every situation. If there is ongoing physical abuse, coercive control, or significant power imbalance in your relationship, standard couples counselling may not be the right starting point. In these situations, individual safety and support comes first. If you're unsure whether couples therapy is appropriate for your circumstances, we encourage you to reach out and speak with one of our therapists before booking — we'll help you figure out the best path forward.

When Partners Want Different Things


Sometimes one partner is ready for therapy and the other isn't. Or one partner is uncertain about whether the relationship has a future. This doesn't necessarily mean therapy isn't an option — individual therapy can sometimes be a meaningful starting point, and a therapist can help determine what format makes sense. We're happy to talk through your situation before you commit to a joint session.

Frequently Asked Questions About Couples Counselling in Barrie

  • Does couples counselling work if we argue all the time?

    Yes. Frequent conflict is one of the most common reasons couples seek therapy, and it's very treatable. Arguing often signals that both people still care enough to engage — a good therapist helps you understand what's driving the cycle and how to break it without shutting each other down.

  • Can couples therapy help after infidelity or broken trust?

    It can. Recovery from betrayal takes time and commitment from both partners, but it's possible with skilled support. Our therapists approach infidelity recovery without taking sides. They create a structured space where both partners can begin to process what happened and, if both are willing, rebuild trust.

  • What if my partner does not want to attend counselling?

    It's worth coming on your own first. Individual therapy can help you clarify what you need, improve how you respond in the relationship, and determine what steps make sense next. Sometimes one partner's willingness to engage with therapy opens a door for the other. We can help you navigate that.

  • Is couples counselling only for married couples?

    Not at all. We work with unmarried partners, long-term couples, common-law relationships, and couples at various stages — including those considering marriage, navigating major transitions, or exploring whether the relationship has a future. The work is relevant to any committed relationship, regardless of legal status.

  • Is online couples counselling available in Ontario?

    Yes. We offer secure virtual sessions for couples across Ontario. Virtual couples counselling follows the same evidence-based approach as in-person sessions and is available through our online booking system. It's a practical option for couples with busy schedules or who live outside the Barrie area.

  • Is couples counselling covered by insurance in Ontario?

    It depends on your plan. Many extended health benefit plans cover services provided by a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) or Registered Social Worker (RSW). We provide official receipts after each session for reimbursement. We don't offer direct billing, so confirm your coverage and eligible provider designations with your insurer before your first appointment.

  • How do we choose the right couples therapist?

    Start with our therapist profiles — each one includes a personal bio, approach description, and video content so you can get a sense of fit before booking. You can also take our therapist-matching quiz at resetbarrie.ca/match-your-therapist, or email us at info@resetbarrie.ca and we'll help you find the right match for both of you.

Ready to Take the Next Step Together?

Couples counselling in Barrie is available now, with Registered Psychotherapists offering both in-person sessions at our Essa Road office and virtual therapy across Ontario. You don't need to have everything figured out before you reach out. You just need to be ready to show up. Our team will help you take it from there.