Find a Therapist for Navigating Challenging Relationships
Connect with therapists across Canada who can help you work through difficult relationship dynamics with compassion and practical strategies.
Relationships with family members, partners, friends, or colleagues can sometimes become sources of stress, confusion, or pain. Whether you're dealing with conflict, communication breakdowns, boundary issues, or patterns that keep repeating, working with a therapist can help you gain clarity and develop new approaches. Many people find that having a supportive, neutral space to explore these dynamics leads to meaningful shifts in how they relate to others and themselves.
First Session makes it easier to find a therapist who fits your needs. Browse profiles, watch intro videos, and book directly online. All therapists on our platform have their credentials verified during onboarding, so you can focus on finding someone who feels like the right match for your journey.
Cathy-Jo Shortt
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in BC, ON, AB, and SK.
Waitlist
Cathy-Jo Shortt
Canadian Certified Counsellor
She/her
Childhood trauma, Emotional regulation, Relationships, Anxiety, Boundaries and boundary setting, Conflict resolution, Couples Therapy, Effective communication, Family issues, Family Conflict, Giftedness Issues, Learning disabilities, Self-esteem, Maternal mental health, Navigating challenging relationships, School challenges, Parenting, Befriending the Nervous System, Low mood, Depression, Nervous system regulation
Childhood trauma, Emotional regulation, Relationships, Anxiety, Boundaries and boundary setting, Conflict resolution, Couples Therapy, Effective communication, Family issues, Family Conflict, Giftedness Issues, Learning disabilities, Self-esteem, Maternal mental health, Navigating challenging relationships, School challenges, Parenting, Befriending the Nervous System, Low mood, Depression, Nervous system regulation
Cassandre Quan
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Cassandre Quan
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
Intergenerational trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Depression, Anxiety, Workplace stress, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Building Self-Care Routines, Childhood trauma, General Mental Health, Imposter syndrome, Panic attacks, Navigating challenging relationships, Mindfulness Practices, Meaning and purpose, Perfectionism, People pleasing, Decision making, Trauma, Relationships, Nervous system regulation, Negative thinking and ruminating
Intergenerational trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Depression, Anxiety, Workplace stress, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Building Self-Care Routines, Childhood trauma, General Mental Health, Imposter syndrome, Panic attacks, Navigating challenging relationships, Mindfulness Practices, Meaning and purpose, Perfectionism, People pleasing, Decision making, Trauma, Relationships, Nervous system regulation, Negative thinking and ruminating
Shannon Gagnon
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Shannon Gagnon
Registered Social Worker
She/Her
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behavioural Issues, Break-up recovery, Bullying, Caregivers, Childhood trauma, Emotional regulation, Family Conflict, Depression coping skills, Navigating challenging relationships, Building Self-Care Routines, Grief and Loss, Workplace stress, Trauma processing
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behavioural Issues, Break-up recovery, Bullying, Caregivers, Childhood trauma, Emotional regulation, Family Conflict, Depression coping skills, Navigating challenging relationships, Building Self-Care Routines, Grief and Loss, Workplace stress, Trauma processing
Ariella Boehm
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, AB, BC, MB, NL, NT, NU, SK, and YT.
Waitlist
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Ariella Boehm
Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
ADHD, Anxiety, Familial and social relationships, Anger Management, Boundaries and boundary setting, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Confidence, Court Mandated Counselling, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Effective communication, Family issues, Goal Setting, Intergenerational trauma, Interpersonal dynamics, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Maternal mental health, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Negative thinking and ruminating, Parenting, Personal Growth, Relationships, Self-Criticism, Self-esteem, Self-Regulation, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal)
ADHD, Anxiety, Familial and social relationships, Anger Management, Boundaries and boundary setting, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Confidence, Court Mandated Counselling, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Effective communication, Family issues, Goal Setting, Intergenerational trauma, Interpersonal dynamics, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Maternal mental health, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Negative thinking and ruminating, Parenting, Personal Growth, Relationships, Self-Criticism, Self-esteem, Self-Regulation, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal)
Diane Brussell
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
Diane Brussell
Registered Clinical Counsellor
She/Her, We/Us
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anger, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment, Befriending the Nervous System, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Boundaries and boundary setting, Borderline Personality Disorder, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Confidence, Conflict resolution, Couples Therapy, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Mind-body connection, Mindfulness Practices, Navigating challenging relationships, PTSD, Transformative dream work, Somatic Therapy, Personal Growth, Trauma processing
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anger, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment, Befriending the Nervous System, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Boundaries and boundary setting, Borderline Personality Disorder, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Confidence, Conflict resolution, Couples Therapy, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Mind-body connection, Mindfulness Practices, Navigating challenging relationships, PTSD, Transformative dream work, Somatic Therapy, Personal Growth, Trauma processing
Christine Scovell
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Christine Scovell
Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Burnout, Caregiver burnout, Confidence, Conflict resolution, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Depression, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Navigating challenging relationships, Negative thinking and ruminating, Relationships, Stress, Trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Wellness Counselling
Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Burnout, Caregiver burnout, Confidence, Conflict resolution, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Depression, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Navigating challenging relationships, Negative thinking and ruminating, Relationships, Stress, Trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Wellness Counselling
Nisha Thakkar
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Nisha Thakkar
Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her
Trauma processing, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Burnout, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Childhood trauma, Navigating challenging relationships, Negative thinking and ruminating, PTSD, Couples, Relationships, Grief and Loss
Trauma processing, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Burnout, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Childhood trauma, Navigating challenging relationships, Negative thinking and ruminating, PTSD, Couples, Relationships, Grief and Loss
Kate Newby
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in AB, BC, MB, and SK.
Waitlist
Kate Newby
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Life transitions, Navigating challenging relationships, LGBTQ2IA+, Sexuality and gender issues, Dissociation, Nervous system regulation, Emotional regulation, Trauma processing, Attachment wounds, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Suicidal ideation, Familial and social relationships, Break-up recovery, Bullying, People pleasing, Boundaries and boundary setting, School challenges, Chronic and acute illness, Aging, Caregivers, Mind-body connection, Meaning and purpose, Self-esteem, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Life transitions, Navigating challenging relationships, LGBTQ2IA+, Sexuality and gender issues, Dissociation, Nervous system regulation, Emotional regulation, Trauma processing, Attachment wounds, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Suicidal ideation, Familial and social relationships, Break-up recovery, Bullying, People pleasing, Boundaries and boundary setting, School challenges, Chronic and acute illness, Aging, Caregivers, Mind-body connection, Meaning and purpose, Self-esteem, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Ciara Williams
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Ciara Williams
Registered Social Worker
she / her
Trauma, Relationships, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Coming out and identity, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Depression, Existential questions, Emotional regulation, Highly Sensitive Person, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Navigating challenging relationships, Neurodiversity, Oppressive family dynamics, People pleasing, PTSD, Spirituality, Trauma processing
Trauma, Relationships, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Coming out and identity, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Depression, Existential questions, Emotional regulation, Highly Sensitive Person, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Navigating challenging relationships, Neurodiversity, Oppressive family dynamics, People pleasing, PTSD, Spirituality, Trauma processing
Michelle Belitzky
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in QC and ON.
Waitlist
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Michelle Belitzky
Registered Social Worker
she/her
Anxiety, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Couples, Depression, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Life transitions, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Family Conflict, Emotional Numbness, Relationships, Familial and social relationships, Navigating challenging relationships, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Couples, Depression, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Life transitions, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Family Conflict, Emotional Numbness, Relationships, Familial and social relationships, Navigating challenging relationships, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Jennifer Henderson
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON and BC.
Waitlist
Jennifer Henderson
Registered Social Worker
They/She
LGBTQ2IA+, Trauma processing, Emotional regulation, Trauma, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Attachment trauma, Borderline Personality Disorder, Boundaries and boundary setting, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Childhood trauma, Coming out and identity, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Dissociation, Familial and social relationships, Navigating challenging relationships, Nervous system regulation, Neurodiversity, People pleasing, PTSD, Self Destructive Behaviour, Sexuality and gender issues, Suicidal ideation, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Stress, Grief and Loss
LGBTQ2IA+, Trauma processing, Emotional regulation, Trauma, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Attachment trauma, Borderline Personality Disorder, Boundaries and boundary setting, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Childhood trauma, Coming out and identity, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Dissociation, Familial and social relationships, Navigating challenging relationships, Nervous system regulation, Neurodiversity, People pleasing, PTSD, Self Destructive Behaviour, Sexuality and gender issues, Suicidal ideation, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Stress, Grief and Loss
Ghazal Ghoddousi
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON, AB, BC, MB, and SK.
Waitlist
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Ghazal Ghoddousi
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Personal Growth, Empowerment, Life transitions, Childhood trauma, Self-Criticism, People pleasing, Negative thinking and ruminating, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Depression, Boundaries and boundary setting, Behavioural Issues, Cultural Challenges, Interpersonal dynamics, Navigating challenging relationships, Building Meaningful Connections, Identity and Self-Exploration
Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Personal Growth, Empowerment, Life transitions, Childhood trauma, Self-Criticism, People pleasing, Negative thinking and ruminating, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Depression, Boundaries and boundary setting, Behavioural Issues, Cultural Challenges, Interpersonal dynamics, Navigating challenging relationships, Building Meaningful Connections, Identity and Self-Exploration
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Therapy is hard work.
Finding the right therapist shouldn’t be. Over 10,000 Canadians found their new therapist with First Session.
What does therapy for navigating challenging relationships involve?
Therapy for relationship challenges typically involves exploring the patterns, emotions, and histories that influence how you connect with others. Your therapist may help you identify what's contributing to difficulties, develop communication skills, and work through unresolved feelings. Sessions often focus on understanding your own needs and boundaries while finding healthier ways to engage with the people in your life.
How do I know if I need individual therapy or couples therapy?
Individual therapy is often helpful when you want to focus on your own patterns, reactions, and personal growth within relationships. Couples therapy may be more appropriate when both partners are committed to working on the relationship together. Some people benefit from both—starting with individual sessions to build self-awareness, then moving into couples work. A therapist can help you determine what approach might serve you best.
Can therapy help with family relationship difficulties?
Yes, many therapists work with clients navigating complex family dynamics. This can include relationships with parents, siblings, adult children, or extended family members. Therapy may help you set boundaries, process difficult family histories, improve communication, or make decisions about the level of contact that feels right for you. Each person's family situation is unique, and therapists can tailor their approach accordingly.
What if the other person in the relationship won't go to therapy?
You don't need the other person's participation to benefit from therapy. Individual therapy can help you understand your own role in relationship patterns, develop coping strategies, and decide how you want to move forward. Many people find that when they change their own approach, it positively influences their relationships—even when the other person isn't directly involved in the process.
How long does therapy for relationship issues typically take?
The duration varies based on your specific situation and goals. Some people gain useful insights and tools within a few months, while others benefit from longer-term support for deeper exploration. Your therapist will work with you to assess progress and adjust the approach as needed. Finding a therapist who feels like a good fit can help the process feel more effective from the start.
How much does therapy cost in Canada?
Therapy rates in Canada vary depending on the therapist's credentials, location, and experience. Many therapists on First Session offer online sessions, which can provide more flexibility and sometimes different pricing options. Some extended health benefits cover therapy services. You can learn more about therapy costs and explore therapist profiles to find options that work for your budget.