Couples Therapy in West Ottawa & Nepean
Somewhere along the way, the same argument started repeating itself. The conversations get tense faster than they used to, and the closeness you used to feel takes more effort to find. If that sounds familiar, you are not broken and your relationship is not beyond help. You are stuck, and couples therapy is designed to help you get unstuck. At our West Ottawa clinic, we help couples across Nepean and the wider Ottawa area reconnect, communicate better, and rebuild trust.
You don't have to be on the brink to come in
There is a myth that couples therapy is a last resort, something you only do when the relationship is nearly over. In reality, most of the couples we see are not on the edge of separation at all. They are caring, committed people who have fallen into exhausting, repetitive patterns and want to feel like a team again.
You might recognize yourselves in some of these:
"We keep having the same fight, over and over."
"We can't talk about anything hard without it escalating."
"Trust has been damaged, and we don't know how to rebuild it."
"We feel more like roommates than partners."
"Between work, parenting, and everything else, we've lost our connection."
If any of those land, this is exactly the kind of work we do.
What couples therapy can help with
- Communication that keeps breaking down or escalating
- Rebuilding trust after a breach, distance, or a difficult chapter
- Conflict that feels stuck on repeat
- Intimacy and connection that has faded
- Parenting as a united front
- Major life transitions that have knocked you off balance
Whether you would call it couples therapy, marriage counselling, or simply "we need help talking to each other," you are in the right place.
How we work with couples
Couples therapy at the clinic is led by our Clinic Director, Dr. Michelle Collins, a Clinical and Health Psychologist with more than 20 years of experience. The approach is warm, balanced, and grounded in science. You will not find a therapist who takes sides. Instead, you will find someone who helps both of you understand what is happening underneath the conflict and how to respond to each other differently.
Our couples work draws on leading, evidence-based frameworks. That often means blending practical communication and CBT tools with insights from Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), one of the most researched approaches for helping partners rebuild closeness and trust.
Format: Sessions are 60 minutes and both partners attend together, with the option for occasional individual check-ins when it would help the work.
In person, at our Nepean office
(If you are looking for individual support and cannot attend in person, we do offer virtual therapy separately.)
Who it's for
If you have been searching for a relationship therapist in Nepean or couples counselling in West Ottawa, and you want practical, compassionate help from an established local clinic, we would be glad to work with you.
How To Get Started
Starting is simple. Reach out to the clinic, and we begin with a 30-minute Needs Assessment with Dr. Collins. It is a low-pressure first step: a chance for us to understand what is going on for the two of you, answer your questions, and make sure the fit feels right before you commit to ongoing work. From there, we map out a plan together.
Serving West Ottawa, Nepean and Centrepointe
Our clinic sits in the Centrepointe area of Nepean, in west Ottawa, with free parking on site and easy access by public transit. We are on the second floor of the only three-storey office building in the plaza, in the same complex as Gabriel Drugs Pharmacy and RBC. It is an easy, familiar drive for couples across Nepean, Barrhaven, Kanata, and the surrounding west-end neighbourhoods.
CBT Wellness Clinic of Ottawa
117 Centrepointe Rd, Suite #220
Nepean, ON K2G 5X3
Phone: (613) 695-3064
Fees and Insurance
Frequently asked questions
Is couples therapy only for married couples?
Not at all. We work with couples at every stage and of all orientations, whether you are dating, common-law, married, or somewhere in between. You can call it couples therapy, marriage counselling, or marital therapy, it is the same supportive work.
Do both partners need to attend?
Yes, couples therapy is designed for both partners to attend together, since the work happens between you. There is room for occasional individual check-ins when they would help.
We're not sure we even want to stay together. Is it too soon, or too late?
It is neither. Many couples come in unsure about the future. Therapy can be a space to slow down, understand what has been happening, and make a clearer, calmer decision, whatever that turns out to be.
Is couples therapy available online?
Couples therapy with us is offered in person at our Nepean office, because this work benefits so much from being in the room together. Individual virtual therapy is available separately for Ontario residents.
How often are sessions, and how long do they last?
Sessions are 60 minutes and are usually weekly or biweekly, which we will tailor to what you need.
Do you work with couples from across Ottawa?
Yes. While we are based in Nepean and west Ottawa, couples travel to us from across the city. The west-end location and free parking simply make regular sessions easier if you are nearby.