Discussions

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a marriage / couples Counsellor / Therapist. I have read a few previous posts on this forum and got a couple of names.  
 
Does anyone have any experience with Sara at Emerging Hope? How about The Counseling Centre? I'm told they have 3 Counselors there: Dan, Ellen & Heather. There are a few others in Brandon so if anyone has any recommendations...  
 
Expensive, big undertaking and I don't know any of these Counsellors. If anyone has any suggestions, they are appreciated!

Patrick Morissette is the best! Tells it like it is but is very understanding and empathetic. Always feel better after talking with him. Located on 26th st just off Park Ave.

To contradict the last post, I found Patrick Morrisette to be extremely confrontational and old-fashioned.  
Dan is great, very gentle and encouraging.

Haven't gone to couples therapy but we have been reading some books that have helped save our relationship without a therapist.  
The argument free marriage - fawn weaver  
Learning to love yourself - gay Hendricks  
Getting back together - John gottman  
And my favorite  
The seven principles of making a marriage work - john gottman  
 
 
I'll mention that anything by john gottman will be a gift to read. The 7 horsemen is another good one by him.  
 
I highly recommend these books.  
 
Good luck on your journey with your spouse

We have done counseling at the Counseling. Centre. The one we used is no longer there but I hear they are all very good. They have a sliding scale for fees, making them accessible. I highly recommend them.

There are two therapists I know of who have their Masters of Family Therapy degrees. I have not been to them, but have had good feedback from others who have.  
Marsha Harris. Roberta Graham.

All therapist are different in their approach. Some are more direct and tell it straight on and some are more softer in their approach. I think if you tell a centre what you are looking for, they will fix you with right person.

Counsellors use various counselling theories, so this is one factor when considering a therapist, also do you prefer male or female?  
The Counsellor can develop a plan for your sessions, to determine how many you will require, whether it is long or short term , and if they need to meet with both of you for every session or does one client require more individual sessions , depending on the issues.  
You can ask the therapist if they have a sliding fee scale, if there is coverage under insurance, etc.  
Some are willing to adjust their fees for clients.  
My experience as a Counsellor, and with counsellors, varies, ( if they were not a good fit), I changed counsellors).  
Good Luck!

I appreciate all the feedback to my post. Unfortunately I am not sure my wife will be willing to participate in counselling. I told her that if she is not willing to go then I will probably go myself.  
 
I response to some of your replies... Unfortunately, I don't think books will work at this point in time. This situation needs immediate attention in my mind. Extremely stressful to say the least.  
 
I have spoken to the Counseling Centre. Yes, their rates would be a lot better than most others because of their sliding scale. It would likely be $54/hour as opposed to $80/hour. The problem is that at this time they do not take in-person clients, only phone or online sessions because of the pandemic. Despite being a couple hours from Brandon, I think I would rather go in-person to start with. Switching to remote online sessions at some point is always an option. The Counseling Centre only has 3 Counselors and I haven't heard much about them on this forum or elsewhere. They do not specialize in marriage / couples as they do pretty much all kinds of therapy.  
 
I also spoke with Sara at Emerging Hope Counseling. I have not heard anything about her either. Any feedback??  
 
Marsha Harris is not currently taking clients and she recommended Elan Jury. Any comments on her? She appears to have only been in the family therapy business for about 3-4 years but that is her focus.  
 
So it appears that most places charge the standard $80/hour except for the Counseling Centre where they will charge less if income is low.  
 
In the end it will come down to whether my wife is willing to participate or not. I know that if both parties are not willing to do their part then not a lot will be accomplished.  
 
Thanks again.  
 
Edited by winger, 2021-05-16 14:29:54

I'm sorry you are going through that. I would encourage you to go even if your spouse won't. They will often help you gain perspective so that you are better equipped to deal with the issues - or to realize that you might need an exit strategy. I've been down both roads (this is my second marriage), and regret neither.

Roberta is excellent!!! If you can get in with her great!!! Your insurance thru work might even cover the cost!  
 
Dan, as mentioned above, will agree to whatever you say. He knew my parents and therefore whatever my husband (now my ex) said was right. NOPE. My ex was the one having multiple affairs. Not me.