Relationships are hard work, even good ones. If you and your partner are stuck in the same cycle, struggling to feel close, or trying to find each other again after something painful — you don’t have to figure it out alone. Couples therapy gives you both a space to slow down, be heard, and work through what’s happening with a registered psychotherapist alongside you.
Couples come to us at very different points. Some are in real pain and not sure the relationship can survive. Others feel the distance growing and want to do something before it gets worse. Some just want to communicate better and build something stronger. Whatever brought you here, it took courage — and that matters.
Couples therapy — sometimes called marriage counselling — is a type of psychotherapy where two partners work with a registered therapist to improve their relationship. It’s a structured, confidential space where both people can speak openly, be heard, and work toward change together.
Sessions are typically 50 to 90 minutes. Some couples come for a focused short-term series to work through a specific issue. Others find that ongoing sessions help them build lasting skills and maintain a healthier dynamic over time. Your therapist will work with you to figure out what makes sense.
Couples therapy is not about deciding who is right. It’s about understanding each other better and finding a way forward that works for both of you.
Couples come to us for many different reasons. Some arrive with a specific problem. Others come because they’ve grown apart and aren’t sure how to find their way back. Some are trying to rebuild after infidelity. Some are navigating the financial pressure that quietly strains even strong relationships. Some are newcomers adjusting to life in a new country together, which brings its own unique weight. And some simply want a better marriage — not because things are broken, but because they know things could be better. All of these are completely valid reasons to be here.
Our therapists regularly support couples dealing with:
Maybe, 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.
And, if you don’t see your situation mentioned, don’t let that stop you from reaching out. A free consultation is a good way to ask questions and see if Cornerstone feels right for you.
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. This means you’re working with therapists who have trained specifically in relationship therapy, not just general practice.
We draw on evidence-based approaches, including Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), which helps partners understand the deeper emotions driving their patterns and build a more secure bond; Attachment-Based Therapy, which explores how each partner’s history shapes the way they relate to each other today; and the Gottman Method, a structured research-based approach focused on building friendship, managing conflict, and creating shared meaning.
You don’t need to know which approach is right for you. Your therapist will explain what they’re drawing on and check in regularly to make sure it’s working for both of you.
If faith is important to your relationship, we also offer optional Christian faith integration. This is always your choice and never required.
A focused session well-suited for couples working on a specific issue or maintaining steady progress.
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. In-person sessions are often particularly helpful for couples’ work, as being in the same room can support connection and engagement. That said, online works well for many couples and we’ll help you figure out what makes most sense.
If you’re not sure where to start, the free 15-minute consultation is a good first step. It’s a short, no-pressure call where you can ask questions, share a bit about what’s going on, and get a feel for whether Cornerstone is the right fit. There’s no commitment involved.
Your first full session is different. It goes deeper. Your therapist will take time to understand your relationship history, hear from both of you, and get a sense of what each person is hoping for. You don’t need to have everything figured out before you come in. The therapist will guide the conversation.
Many couples notice a shift in how they communicate within the first few sessions. The deeper work — rebuilding trust, breaking old patterns, creating something new together — builds from there.
Our main office is at 6341 Mississauga Road, with easy access for couples coming from across Peel Region. We offer both in-person and online sessions to make it work for you.
We provide services in English, French, and Arabic, and we welcome couples from all backgrounds, faiths, and relationship structures. For couples who are new to Canada, we understand that cultural adjustment and the pressures of building a new life together add their own unique strain on a relationship. Our therapists are trained to work across cultures and will meet you where you are.
Couples therapy in Mississauga | Therapy in Brampton | Counselling in Peel Region
We believe cost should not be a barrier to getting help. We offer a sliding scale fee structure based on income, and affordable therapy options through our supervised intern program at $50 per session. Couples in Peel Region who receive Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) support may also qualify for free therapy through our CARE grant, subject to availability.
“Our sessions helped us reconnect and understand each other better. We’re communicating like never before.”
Reaching out takes courage, and doing it together takes even more. 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. When you’re both ready, we’re here. Or if you’re not quite ready, our library of articles, tools, and videos is a good place to start. When you’re both ready, we’re here.”
In our experience, couples come in at all stages — from wanting to improve a relationship that’s already good, to trying to decide whether to stay together. There is no stage at which therapy is automatically too late. That said, therapy works best when both people are willing to show up and try. If you’re unsure, a free consultation is a good way to talk it through before committing.
Both partners being willing to participate makes a significant difference to the outcome. That said, if your partner is hesitant, it’s worth having a conversation about what’s making them reluctant. Sometimes starting with individual therapy yourself is a useful first step, and your therapist can help you think through how to approach the conversation with your partner.
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.
Couples therapy focuses specifically on the relationship between two partners. Family therapy brings in other family members and looks at broader dynamics within the household. If you’re not sure which fits your situation, a free consultation can help. We offer both family therapy and couples therapy at Cornerstone.
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.
It depends on what you’re working on. Some couples make meaningful progress in 8 to 12 sessions. Others benefit from longer-term work, especially if the issues are complex or have been building over many years. Your therapist will check in regularly and adjust the plan based on how things are going.
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.
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.
Yes. We offer secure online sessions for couples across Ontario. Many couples find online therapy works well, particularly for busy schedules or when one or both partners are working from home. Your therapist can help you decide whether in-person sessions might be more beneficial for your specific situation.
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.
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.
We are celebrating 15 years of making professional mental health care accessible in Peel Region, and we would love for you to be part of it.
Our 15th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 3:00 – 5:00 PM
6341 Mississauga Road, Mississauga | Free | All welcome