Marriage Counselling & Couples Therapy in Mississauga and Peel Region
Every relationship goes through hard times.
Relationships can be one of life’s greatest sources of joy, connection, and support. They can also become one of the most challenging parts of life when communication breaks down, trust is damaged, or conflict becomes difficult to resolve. At Cornerstone Family Counselling, we provide couples therapy, couples counselling, and marriage counselling for couples across Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Milton, and throughout Ontario.
Whether you are married, engaged, dating, or in a long-term partnership, our therapists can help you strengthen your relationship, improve communication, rebuild trust, and work through relationship challenges together.
When Should You Consider Marriage Counselling?
Couples often wait too long before reaching out. You don’t have to.
Counselling can help if:
- You keep having the same arguments
- Conversations turn into conflict quickly
- You feel distant or disconnected
- Trust has been broken or shaken
- Intimacy has changed or faded
- Parenting decisions are creating tension
- You’re not sure if the relationship is working anymore
- One or both of you are thinking about separation
- You want to strengthen your relationship before things get worse
You don’t need to be in crisis to come in. Many couples come simply because things don’t feel the way they used to.
Common Relationship Challenges We Help With
Most couples don’t come in because of one big issue. It’s usually a pattern that builds over time.
We often help with:
- Communication breakdown
- Frequent arguments that never get resolved
- Infidelity and broken trust
- Emotional distance or disconnection
- Financial stress
- Adjusting to life in a new country together
- Wanting a stronger, healthier marriage even when things aren't in crisis
- Intimacy concerns, emotional or physical
- Major life transitions like having children, job loss, illness, or relocation
- Parenting disagreements and co-parenting stress
- Cultural or family differences that create friction
- Faith-related concerns
- Feeling like roommates instead of partners
- Deciding whether to stay together or separate
If you’re not sure how to describe what’s been feeling off, this article might help you put words to it: Beyond the Bird Theory: Why Small Moments Matter More Than Grand Gestures.
What to Expect in Couples Counselling
The first session is about slowing things down.
We listen to both of you. We understand what’s been happening and what brought you in.
From there, we work on:
- How you communicate with each other
- What keeps the same cycle going
- What each of you needs but isn’t getting
- How conflict escalates and how to interrupt it
- Small changes that actually shift the relationship
We don’t take sides. We don’t judge. We help you both feel heard.
Every therapist at Cornerstone holds a master’s degree and is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Our Clinical Director, Father Pishoy Wasfy, holds a PhD and a Doctorate in Counselling and Psychotherapy (DCP), and provides ongoing clinical oversight to our team.
For couples work specifically, several of our therapists hold additional specialized training, including Registered Marriage and Family Therapist (RMFT) and membership with the Canadian Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT), Certified EFT Therapist designation, and Prepare/Enrich Facilitator certification, which is a research-based programme widely used in couples and pre-marital counselling.
Session Options
50-60 Minutes
A focused session well-suited for couples working on a specific issue or maintaining steady progress.
80-90 Minutes
A longer session that allows more space for deeper conversations, complex dynamics, or situations where both partners need more time to feel heard.
We offer both in-person sessions at our Mississauga office and online sessions across Ontario.
Couples Counselling in Mississauga and Peel Region
We work with couples across Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Milton, and the wider Peel Region. Many of the couples we see are balancing a lot at once: work, kids, finances, family expectations, and major life transitions.
We also support couples navigating cultural differences, immigration stress, and pressure from extended family.
Our goal is simple: create a space where both of you feel understood and supported.
We provide services in English, French, and Arabic.
Couples therapy in Mississauga | Therapy in Brampton | Counselling in Peel Region
Christian Marriage Counselling
For couples who want it, we can integrate faith into the counselling process. This may include prayer, scripture, or discussing how your faith connects to your relationship.
Counselling always stays grounded in evidence-based therapy approaches. Faith can be included where it’s helpful and meaningful for you. Faith integration is always optional. We meet you where you are.
Pricing and Accessibility
Our standard fee is $170 for a 50–60 minute session.
Longer sessions (80–90 minutes) are $255.
We also offer:
- Sliding scale options for those who need reduced fees
- $50 supervised intern sessions
- Free counselling for eligible Peel Region residents through the Peel CARE grant (including OW, ODSP, newcomers, and low-income households)
If cost is a concern, we encourage you to reach out. We’ll try to find an option that works. Learn more about affordable therapy options
Testimonial
“Our sessions helped us reconnect and understand each other better. We’re communicating like never before.”
A Cornerstone Client
Does Marriage Counselling Work?
Most couples see change when both people are willing to show up and stay engaged in the process. Counselling helps you:
- Understand what’s really going on underneath the arguments
- Break repeating patterns
- Communicate without escalating
- Rebuild trust over time
- Decide what you both want moving forward
It’s not about fixing one person. It’s about changing the pattern between you.
Visit our What to Expect at Your First Appointment page if you want to know what happens before you book. Download our Client Handbook to learn more about how we work.
FAQ: Couples Therapy
How much does marriage counselling cost in Ontario?
The cost of marriage counselling in Ontario can vary depending on the therapist’s qualifications, location, and session length, with many couples paying approximately $120 to $250 per session.
At Cornerstone Family Counselling, our standard rate is $170 for a 50–60 minute session. Longer sessions are available and billed in 30-minute increments. An 80–90 minute session is $255.
We also offer several options to improve accessibility:
- Sliding scale fees for individuals and couples who require reduced rates based on financial need
- Supervised intern therapy sessions at $50 per session
- Free counselling services for eligible Peel Region residents receiving Ontario Works (OW), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), newcomers to Canada, or individuals with low income, supported through the Peel CARE grant from the Region of Peel
Our goal is to make counselling accessible while maintaining high-quality care.
What if my partner does not want counselling?
It is very common for one partner to feel ready for counselling while the other is uncertain or hesitant.
In some situations, starting individually can still be helpful. One partner’s participation can lead to improved communication, emotional awareness, and changes in interaction patterns that positively impact the relationship.
Often, when one partner experiences counselling in a supportive way, the other becomes more open to attending sessions later on.
If your partner is unsure, it can help to frame counselling as support for the relationship rather than an attempt to assign blame. For example, focusing on “We could use some support with how we’re feeling” can feel less confronting.
What’s the difference between couples therapy and marriage counselling?
They refer to the same thing. “Marriage counselling” is an older term that people still search for, while “couples therapy” is more commonly used today. At Cornerstone, we work with all couples — married, common-law, dating, or somewhere in between.
Can marriage counselling help after infidelity?
Yes, many couples attend counselling after infidelity, and for some, it becomes a structured path toward understanding, healing, and rebuilding trust.
Recovery after betrayal involves processing emotional reactions such as hurt, anger, and grief, while also exploring the underlying relationship dynamics that contributed to the breakdown of trust.
Therapy provides a safe and guided space to support both partners, improve communication, and determine what rebuilding trust might look like over time.
While outcomes vary depending on the couple, many relationships can improve when both partners are committed to honesty, accountability, and the therapeutic process.
Do we have to be in crisis to come to couples therapy?
Not at all. Many couples come to therapy not because something has broken down, but because they want to strengthen what they have, improve communication, or prepare for a major life change like having children or navigating a difficult transition. Coming early is often easier than waiting until things feel critical.
How long will we need to be in therapy?
The number of sessions varies depending on the couple’s goals, history, and the complexity of the issues involved.
Some couples begin noticing meaningful improvements within 4 to 6 sessions, particularly when working on communication patterns or conflict resolution. More complex concerns such as long-standing conflict, infidelity, or emotional disconnection often require longer-term support.
Couples counselling is typically most effective when viewed as a process rather than a quick fix. Your therapist will regularly check in with you to assess progress and adjust the approach as needed.
Is therapy covered by insurance?
Many extended health benefit plans cover psychotherapy with a Registered Psychotherapist (RP). We recommend checking with your insurance provider before your first session. We do not direct bill, but we provide receipts you can submit for reimbursement.
Is what we share in sessions confidential?
Yes, with one important distinction that’s worth understanding before you start.
In couples therapy, the therapist works with both of you together — not as two separate individuals with separate confidentiality. Most couples therapists work with a no-secrets policy, which means if one partner contacts the therapist privately between sessions, the therapist may not be able to keep that information from the other partner. This isn’t about catching anyone out. It’s about making sure the therapist can be open and honest with both of you equally. Your therapist will explain how they handle this at your first session.
What’s shared between the two of you and your therapist in sessions is private and protected from outside parties. There are narrow exceptions required by law, such as if there is a risk of harm to someone. Again, your therapist will walk you through all of this at the start.
If you feel you need a space that is entirely your own, individual therapy might be an option. In individual therapy, everything you share is confidential between you and your therapist only. Some people find it helpful to do both — individual therapy alongside couples work. Your therapist can help you think through what makes sense for your situation.
Is online couples counselling effective?
Yes, online couples counselling can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many couples.
Virtual sessions offer added convenience and accessibility, especially for couples balancing busy schedules, childcare responsibilities, shift work, or transportation challenges.
The effectiveness of therapy depends more on the therapeutic relationship, the approach used, and the commitment of both partners than on whether sessions are online or in person.
At Cornerstone Family Counselling, we offer secure virtual sessions across Ontario to support couples wherever they are located.
What if we’re also thinking about pre-marital counselling?
Pre-marital counselling is a great way to build a strong foundation before getting married. It covers communication, expectations, conflict resolution, and areas where couples often struggle after the wedding. We offer dedicated pre-marital counselling at Cornerstone, and it’s often a natural complement to or continuation of couples therapy.
What if we don’t connect with our therapist?
A good fit matters, especially in couples work. If something doesn’t feel right, let us know and we’ll do our best to connect you with someone else on our team. There’s no judgment in that.