Intensive Couples Counselling

Intensive Couples Counselling

Intensive Couples
Counselling

Transformative Intensive Couples Therapy: Accelerated Healing and Lasting Connection

Intensive Couples Therapy, is an immersive and highly focused approach designed to provide concentrated support and resolution for couples facing challenges in a condensed timeframe. This format typically involves extended sessions, often spanning multiple days, allowing for in-depth exploration of issues and intensive intervention. Tailored to the unique needs of each couple, Intensive Couples Therapy aims to achieve quicker results and breakthroughs compared to traditional weekly sessions. This concentrated format provides couples with an opportunity to delve deeply into their relationship dynamics, enhance communication, and implement practical strategies for lasting positive change. With a dedicated and experienced therapist guiding the process, couples can address issues comprehensively, fostering a more profound understanding and connection within their relationship.

Who is intensive couples therapy for?

Intensive Couples Therapy is well-suited for couples facing challenges or crises in their relationship and seeking a more accelerated and focused approach to resolution. It can be particularly beneficial for:

Those dealing with acute issues such as infidelity, trust issues, or sudden relationship trauma can benefit from the concentrated and immediate attention that intensive therapy provides.
For individuals with demanding schedules or those who travel from afar, intensive therapy condenses the therapeutic process into a shorter timeframe, making it more accessible and feasible.
Intensive therapy is effective for couples experiencing frequent and intense conflicts, providing a space to address issues comprehensively and implement strategies for better communication and conflict resolution.
Couples seeking pre-marital counselling can also benefit from an intensive format to lay a strong foundation for their future together in a shorter period.

Couples who are highly motivated to make immediate and substantial changes in their relationship may find the intensive style more aligned with their goals.

Those considering a significant decision, such as separation or divorce, can utilize intensive therapy to thoroughly explore their options and make more informed choices about the future of their relationship.

Maha Elias Couples Counsellor, Victoria BC

Registered Clinical Counselor (RCC)

Comprehensive Family Mediator (FMC)

Canadian Certified Counselor (CCC)

As a dedicated couple’s therapist who is deeply invested in my personal growth and development, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to guide couples through relationship challenges. My genuine passion for helping couples build strong, loving connections stems from both my personal journey and extensive work with diverse clients. Recognizing the uniqueness of every relationship, I tailor my approach to address individual needs, desires, and differences. With a commitment to ongoing effort and dedication, I am here to support you in fostering a fulfilling and long-lasting relationship.

More About Maha

Maha Elias Couples Counsellor, Victoria BC

Registered Clinical Counselor (RCC)

Comprehensive Family Mediator (FMC)

Canadian Certified Counselor (CCC)

As a dedicated couple’s therapist who is deeply invested in my personal growth and development, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to guide couples through relationship challenges. My genuine passion for helping couples build strong, loving connections stems from both my personal journey and extensive work with diverse clients. Recognizing the uniqueness of every relationship, I tailor my approach to address individual needs, desires, and differences. With a commitment to ongoing effort and dedication, I am here to support you in fostering a fulfilling and long-lasting relationship.

More About Maha

As a dedicated couple’s therapist who is deeply invested in my personal growth and development, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to guide couples through relationship challenges. My genuine passion for helping couples build strong, loving connections stems from both my personal journey and extensive work with diverse clients. Recognizing the uniqueness of every relationship, I tailor my approach to address individual needs, desires, and differences. With a commitment to ongoing effort and dedication, I am here to support you in fostering a fulfilling and long-lasting relationship.

Guiding You with Expertise and Compassionate Care.

In my role as a committed couple’s therapist, I draw upon specialized training and a diverse array of therapeutic modalities to enrich our sessions. Whether you’re grappling with communication hurdles, navigating the complexities of trauma, or aspiring to deepen intimacy, my approach is intricately tailored to suit the distinct needs of your relationship.  Let’s explore some of the tools and techniques designed to foster understanding, healing, and growth in your journey together.

BPDM: Balancing Self and Togetherness in Intimate Relationships

The Bader-Pearson Developmental Model (BPDM) is a couples therapy approach by Drs. Ellyn Bader and Peter Pearson. It emphasizes differentiation, the ability to maintain individual identity while being emotionally connected to a partner. This involves nurturing one’s own identity, values, and beliefs alongside emotional intimacy with a partner. The BPDM aims to help couples respect each other’s individuality, balancing independence and togetherness. It encourages navigating challenges and conflicts through a developmental lens, promoting both individual and relational well-being.

Strengthening Bonds with the Gottman Method

The Gottman Method, an evidence-based couples therapy developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, enhances relationships by building friendship, managing conflict, and fostering shared meaning. It focuses on improving communication skills, emotional intimacy, and constructive conflict resolution strategies. The method identifies harmful patterns, such as the “Four Horsemen” (criticism, contempt, defensiveness, stonewalling), and provides interventions to replace these with positive interactions. Overall, the Gottman Method equips couples with practical tools and skills for lasting, fulfilling relationships.

Discernment Counseling for Clarity and Decision-Making

Discernment counseling is a short-term, goal-oriented form of couples therapy designed to help couples on the brink of divorce or separation gain clarity about the future of their relationship. The focus is on one or both partners gaining a deeper understanding of their individual motivations, concerns, and the potential for change in the relationship.

Healing Together with Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma-Informed Therapy provides a compassionate and secure setting for couples to address and heal from traumatic experiences. This approach is informed by the impact of past traumas, emphasizing understanding, empathy, and the rebuilding of trust. It stresses the importance of effective communication and mutual support, guiding couples to fortify their connection while recognizing and respecting each partner’s individual trauma history. The objective is to cultivate deeper comprehension and resilience within the relationship, enabling both partners to advance with greater confidence and unity.

Expert Family Mediation for Harmonious Resolutions

Leveraging my extensive background in family mediation, I seamlessly incorporate conflict resolution and management principles into couples counselling. This enables me to adeptly assist clients in navigating and managing conflicts, fostering healthier communication. My goal is to empower couples to navigate disagreements with greater understanding and empathy, ultimately transforming conflicts into opportunities for developing and enriching their relationship.

Enhancing Intimacy: Navigating Sexual Health in Relationships

My expertise in sexual intimacy and health within couple therapy delves into sensitive issues that may affect your physical connection and intimacy. This specialized aspect of therapy not only concentrates on refining communication regarding sexual needs, desires, and challenges but also extends to addressing broader issues such as intimacy enhancement, navigating sexual concerns, and fostering a deeper understanding of each partner’s unique experiences and perspectives. This comprehensive approach aims to provide a supportive space for couples to explore and enhance various facets of their sexual well-being, fostering a more fulfilling and connected relationship.

Transform Challenges into Relationship Growth

Every relationship faces its tests, and without the right guidance, these challenges can sometimes seem insurmountable. However, through couples counselling, many have turned these hurdles into opportunities for deepening their bond and understanding. Let’s explore the positive transformations you can anticipate from Intensive Couples Counselling.

Accelerated Progress

Intensive Couples Therapy condenses the therapeutic process into a shorter timeframe, allowing couples to make significant progress and achieve breakthroughs more rapidly than traditional weekly sessions. This can be particularly appealing for those seeking prompt results.

Focused Attention

With extended and concentrated sessions, couples benefit from sustained, focused attention on their relationship issues. This deep dive into concerns fosters a more thorough exploration, understanding, and resolution of challenges.

Immersion in Change

The immersive nature of intensive therapy enables couples to fully immerse themselves in the therapeutic process. This can facilitate a more profound and transformative experience, as couples can stay engaged without the distractions of daily life.

Effective Conflict Resolution

High-conflict couples often find value in intensive therapy, where they can address and resolve issues comprehensively. The extended sessions allow for in-depth exploration of communication patterns and the implementation of effective conflict resolution strategies.

Crisis Intervention

For couples facing a crisis, such as infidelity or a major life event, intensive therapy provides an immediate and structured intervention. This can be crucial for navigating the challenges associated with sudden relationship trauma.

Convenience and Accessibility

Intensive therapy can be more convenient for busy couples who may struggle to commit to regular weekly sessions. This format allows for a concentrated effort over a shorter period, making it more accessible for those with demanding schedules.

Preventive and Pre-Marital Benefits

Couples considering marriage or those looking to strengthen their relationship proactively can benefit from intensive therapy. It provides a solid foundation, equipping partners with effective communication skills and conflict resolution strategies before potential issues escalate.

Accelerated Progress

Intensive Couples Therapy condenses the therapeutic process into a shorter timeframe, allowing couples to make significant progress and achieve breakthroughs more rapidly than traditional weekly sessions. This can be particularly appealing for those seeking prompt results.

Focused Attention

With extended and concentrated sessions, couples benefit from sustained, focused attention on their relationship issues. This deep dive into concerns fosters a more thorough exploration, understanding, and resolution of challenges.

Immersion in Change

The immersive nature of intensive therapy enables couples to fully immerse themselves in the therapeutic process. This can facilitate a more profound and transformative experience, as couples can stay engaged without the distractions of daily life.

Effective Conflict Resolution

High-conflict couples often find value in intensive therapy, where they can address and resolve issues comprehensively. The extended sessions allow for in-depth exploration of communication patterns and the implementation of effective conflict resolution strategies.

Crisis Intervention

For couples facing a crisis, such as infidelity or a major life event, intensive therapy provides an immediate and structured intervention. This can be crucial for navigating the challenges associated with sudden relationship trauma.

Convenience and Accessibility

Intensive therapy can be more convenient for busy couples who may struggle to commit to regular weekly sessions. This format allows for a concentrated effort over a shorter period, making it more accessible for those with demanding schedules.

Preventive and Pre-Marital Benefits

Couples considering marriage or those looking to strengthen their relationship proactively can benefit from intensive therapy. It provides a solid foundation, equipping partners with effective communication skills and conflict resolution strategies before potential issues escalate.

Embrace the counseling journey as a path to a healthier, more fulfilling partnership. The challenges you face today can be the stepping stones to a stronger, more connected tomorrow.

Real Stories of Relationship Transformation

Real Stories of Relationship Transformation

Real Stories of
Relationship Transformation

Maha is an exceptional counsellor, and has helped our relationship immeasurably. She is extremely professional and we feel very comfortable discussing sensitive aspects of our relationship with her. she has an ability to pinpoint the precise issue we are dealing with in the moment and help us work through it. We would highly recommend her services to anyone.
-D & S. S
Maha gave us the tools to recognize and manage our triggers and understand how they were clouding our communication. She helped decipher what each of us was trying to express, vs. how it was being received. We now have the skills to handle difficult conversations before our emotions get the best of us, allowing each other the space to bring our best selves to the table. Maha is extremely skilled in her craft and we cannot praise her enough for the integral part she played in where our relationship stands today!
-I & F
My wife and I came to see Maha because we were finding that our communication had bogged down after 25+ years together. I wasn't sure if this was going to help having personally had less than stellar experiences over the years with therapists, but I was open to trying anything that might improve things between us. Turns out, I needed have worried, Maha was a breath of fresh air. Her genuine engagement, empathy, and extensive knowledge had me all in by the end of our first session. Maha has helped us discover new ways of speaking and listening, and most importantly, of understanding the other persons point of view. We are still on our journey together with Maha, but I am hopeful for the future and sure we will get to where we want to be with her guidance and support. I cannot recommend Maha highly enough to anyone seeking help with their marriage or personal life
-Steve & Liv
Maha created a place where my husband and I could communicate and learn to communicate with each other and learn to understand one another. I cannot thank Maha enough for her ability to truly help mediate and help us in such a kind, thoughtful and understanding manner.
-Elizabeth and H
Maha was our third counselor that we had consulted with and we immediately felt comfortable. As a younger couple (8 months of dating at the time), we were dismissed by other counsellors. Maha validated our experiences and has been an inspiring guide through our proactive couples therapy. With Maha’s guidance, we have felt more connected resulting in a deeper understanding of each other’s needs and a readiness to communicate them to each other.
-Phil & Megs
My partner and I came to Maha with a wide variety of issues and she has been a great help in guiding us through those. She is extremely knowledgeable and compassionate in her approach, but also gives it to you straight when there are things that need to be said. We like that she has a game plan beyond just letting/watching us talk. Our work with Maha has been extremely positive and I cannot recommend her highly enough.
-Eric & D
I have had nothing but a positive experience working with you. In fact, I am always recommending you to others because I feel like you have made such a positive impact on our relationship. We were in a bad place when I reached out to you, and since we have worked together, we have made huge improvements. I can't thank you enough.
-T & A Robins
Maha’s broad and varied depth of knowledge, as well as her empathetic approach, has paved the way to positive personal growth for me and my partner. It’s the first time my partner has ever been comfortable with a counsellor and we are reaping the benefits of her expertise.
-Lisa
Maha is excellent as a couples counsellor. We have seen several others and she is by far the most skilled and helpful we have ever had. Very grateful for this opportunity through our work.
-Mandy & Dave
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Maha is an exceptional counsellor, and has helped our relationship immeasurably. She is extremely professional and we feel very comfortable discussing sensitive aspects of our relationship with her. she has an ability to pinpoint the precise issue we are dealing with in the moment and help us work through it. We would highly recommend her services to anyone.
-D & S. S
Maha is a phenomenal counselor. I have tried therapy multiple times and have never felt like it was 'successful' or that it made a difference. With Maha, I can list the ways that things are improved, tangible real world outcomes and I feel like, even though there is still more work to be done, Maha will get us there.
-Amy B
Maha gave us the tools to recognize and manage our triggers and understand how they were clouding our communication. She helped decipher what each of us was trying to express, vs. how it was being received. We now have the skills to handle difficult conversations before our emotions get the best of us, allowing each other the space to bring our best selves to the table. Maha is extremely skilled in her craft and we cannot praise her enough for the integral part she played in where our relationship stands today!
-I & F
It has been a great pleasure to sit and work with Maha. She has challenged me to approach issues with a different perspective as well as providing reassurance and support where I needed it. I am forever grateful for the growth and personal development that Maha has helped me navigate so far!
-R.U.
My wife and I came to see Maha because we were finding that our communication had bogged down after 25+ years together. I wasn't sure if this was going to help having personally had less than stellar experiences over the years with therapists, but I was open to trying anything that might improve things between us. Turns out, I needed have worried, Maha was a breath of fresh air. Her genuine engagement, empathy, and extensive knowledge had me all in by the end of our first session. Maha has helped us discover new ways of speaking and listening, and most importantly, of understanding the other persons point of view. We are still on our journey together with Maha, but I am hopeful for the future and sure we will get to where we want to be with her guidance and support. I cannot recommend Maha highly enough to anyone seeking help with their marriage or personal life
-Steve & Liv
Maha created a place where my husband and I could communicate and learn to communicate with each other and learn to understand one another. I cannot thank Maha enough for her ability to truly help mediate and help us in such a kind, thoughtful and understanding manner.
-Elizabeth and H
Maha Elias is truly incredible, I am so so grateful for everything she does. I have never met such an attentive, caring, passionate, and genuinely interested counsellor.
-Jake H.
Maha’s approach has challenged me in a gentle and reflective way, which has allowed me to discover and recognize my strength and resilience. She’s helped me reframe thoughts and given me a unique and positive perspective from areas in my life that I used to look at as weak and damaged. Maha makes me feel safe to be vulnerable. I have laughed and cried (sometimes at the same time) and no matter the topic or issue we are covering (and there have been A LOT) I leave our sessions feeling heard, understood and with a path forward.
-C.M.
Maha was our third counselor that we had consulted with and we immediately felt comfortable. As a younger couple (8 months of dating at the time), we were dismissed by other counsellors. Maha validated our experiences and has been an inspiring guide through our proactive couples therapy. With Maha’s guidance, we have felt more connected resulting in a deeper understanding of each other’s needs and a readiness to communicate them to each other.
-Phil & Megs
My partner and I came to Maha with a wide variety of issues and she has been a great help in guiding us through those. She is extremely knowledgeable and compassionate in her approach, but also gives it to you straight when there are things that need to be said. We like that she has a game plan beyond just letting/watching us talk. Our work with Maha has been extremely positive and I cannot recommend her highly enough.
-Eric & D
I have had nothing but a positive experience working with you. In fact, I am always recommending you to others because I feel like you have made such a positive impact on our relationship. We were in a bad place when I reached out to you, and since we have worked together, we have made huge improvements. I can't thank you enough.
-T & A Robins
Maha’s broad and varied depth of knowledge, as well as her empathetic approach, has paved the way to positive personal growth for me and my partner. It’s the first time my partner has ever been comfortable with a counsellor and we are reaping the benefits of her expertise.
-Lisa
The best way I can describe Maha is safe. She provided me so much safety and comfort so I could be my most vulnerable, open and honest self. She always made me feel seen and heard. Even though our sessions forced me to have difficult conversations, I genuinely looked forward to them because they provided clarity. I am so grateful for Maha’s support and the personal growth I made during my time with her.
-J.S.
Maha is excellent as a couples counsellor. We have seen several others and she is by far the most skilled and helpful we have ever had. Very grateful for this opportunity through our work.
-Mandy & Dave
Maha Elias is fantastic. Friendly, empathetic, and helpful, she's lovely to talk to and has helped me reach some useful insights about myself
-Jamie M.
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Maha Elias at Best Self Forward is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), and Comprehensive Family Mediator (FMC) specializing in Couples Counselling. Best Self Forward clients are from all parts of British Columbia, Canada including but not limited to Greater Victoria, Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

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