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.
Lindsay Kudlow
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Lindsay Kudlow
Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
ADHD, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Childhood trauma, Confidence, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Conflict resolution, Effective communication, LGBTQ2IA+, People pleasing, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Empowerment, Familial and social relationships, Relationship anxiety, Dating challenges, Navigating challenging relationships, Relationships, Trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Anxiety, Self-esteem
ADHD, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Childhood trauma, Confidence, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Conflict resolution, Effective communication, LGBTQ2IA+, People pleasing, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Empowerment, Familial and social relationships, Relationship anxiety, Dating challenges, Navigating challenging relationships, Relationships, Trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Anxiety, Self-esteem
Liz Spaargaren
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in AB.
Waitlist
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Liz Spaargaren
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
ADHD, Wellness Counselling, Life transitions, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Effective communication, Familial and social relationships, Mind-body connection, Women's Health, Transitioning into Adulthood, Separation and divorce, Negative thinking and ruminating, Personal Growth, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Navigating challenging relationships, College or University Coaching
ADHD, Wellness Counselling, Life transitions, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Effective communication, Familial and social relationships, Mind-body connection, Women's Health, Transitioning into Adulthood, Separation and divorce, Negative thinking and ruminating, Personal Growth, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Navigating challenging relationships, College or University Coaching
Candice Frederick
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, AB, MB, NT, NB, YT, NU, PE, NL, and SK.
Waitlist
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Candice Frederick
Canadian Certified Counsellor
she/her
Trauma, Money Trauma, Somatic Therapy, Burnout, Stress, Relationships, Workplace stress, Wellness Counselling, Sexuality, Self-Development, Racism, Women's Health, Life transitions, LGBTQ2IA+, Intergenerational trauma, BIPOC, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, Caregivers, Cultural Challenges, Perfectionism, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Navigating challenging relationships, Diabetes mental health support, Perimenopause mental health support, Grief and Loss, Career guidance, Pro-choice
Trauma, Money Trauma, Somatic Therapy, Burnout, Stress, Relationships, Workplace stress, Wellness Counselling, Sexuality, Self-Development, Racism, Women's Health, Life transitions, LGBTQ2IA+, Intergenerational trauma, BIPOC, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, Caregivers, Cultural Challenges, Perfectionism, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Navigating challenging relationships, Diabetes mental health support, Perimenopause mental health support, Grief and Loss, Career guidance, Pro-choice
Michael Wassef
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, and AB.
Waitlist
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Michael Wassef
Registered Psychotherapist
Relationships, Couples Therapy, Attachment trauma, Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behaviour, Boundaries and boundary setting, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Childhood trauma, Depression, Family issues, Effective communication, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Parenting, Conflict resolution, Habits, Infidelity, Navigating challenging relationships, Trauma, Stress, Social anxiety, Self-Regulation, Relationship anxiety, Overwhelm, Negative thinking and ruminating, Motivation, Life transitions, Intimacy concerns, Highly Sensitive Person, Emotional regulation, Christian counselling, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Break-up recovery, Grief and Loss
Relationships, Couples Therapy, Attachment trauma, Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behaviour, Boundaries and boundary setting, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Childhood trauma, Depression, Family issues, Effective communication, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Parenting, Conflict resolution, Habits, Infidelity, Navigating challenging relationships, Trauma, Stress, Social anxiety, Self-Regulation, Relationship anxiety, Overwhelm, Negative thinking and ruminating, Motivation, Life transitions, Intimacy concerns, Highly Sensitive Person, Emotional regulation, Christian counselling, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Break-up recovery, Grief and Loss
Jason Scriven
Pre-Licensed Professional
Virtual Sessions in YT, BC, and AB.
Waitlist
Jason Scriven
Pre-Licensed Professional
He/him
Separation and divorce, Men's issues, Co-founder relationships, Anger Management, Anxiety, Burnout, Career guidance, Workplace stress, College or University Coaching, Effective communication, Family Conflict, Familial and social relationships, Family issues, Imposter syndrome, Infidelity, Masculinity, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Overwhelm, Parental divorce, Performance anxiety, Relationship anxiety, Relationships, Vulnerability, Depression
Separation and divorce, Men's issues, Co-founder relationships, Anger Management, Anxiety, Burnout, Career guidance, Workplace stress, College or University Coaching, Effective communication, Family Conflict, Familial and social relationships, Family issues, Imposter syndrome, Infidelity, Masculinity, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Overwhelm, Parental divorce, Performance anxiety, Relationship anxiety, Relationships, Vulnerability, Depression
Maria Chaplick
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON and BC.
Waitlist
Maria Chaplick
Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
Anger, Anxiety, Negative thinking and ruminating, Anger Management, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behavioural Issues, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Break-up recovery, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Empowerment, Family Conflict, Fears and phobia, Habits, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Mindfulness, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Grief and Loss
Anger, Anxiety, Negative thinking and ruminating, Anger Management, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behavioural Issues, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Break-up recovery, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Empowerment, Family Conflict, Fears and phobia, Habits, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Mindfulness, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Grief and Loss
Melissa Milligan
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in MB, AB, BC, and SK.
Waitlist
Melissa Milligan
Canadian Certified Counsellor
She/Her
Anger, Attachment, Building Meaningful Connections, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Behaviour, Burnout, Deep connections, Childhood trauma, Chronic Illness, Dating challenges, Boundaries and boundary setting, Depression, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Navigating challenging relationships, Sexuality, Self-Development, Mindfulness
Anger, Attachment, Building Meaningful Connections, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Behaviour, Burnout, Deep connections, Childhood trauma, Chronic Illness, Dating challenges, Boundaries and boundary setting, Depression, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Navigating challenging relationships, Sexuality, Self-Development, Mindfulness
Lauren McCarley
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, YT, MB, NU, SK, BC, NL, and NT.
Waitlist
Lauren McCarley
Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her/Hers
Anxiety, OCD, Self-esteem, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Burnout, Imposter syndrome, Depression coping skills, Stress, Negative thinking and ruminating, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Perfectionism, Relationships, Navigating challenging relationships, People pleasing, Life transitions, Fears and phobia, Health anxiety, Panic attacks, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Decision making, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety, OCD, Self-esteem, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Burnout, Imposter syndrome, Depression coping skills, Stress, Negative thinking and ruminating, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Perfectionism, Relationships, Navigating challenging relationships, People pleasing, Life transitions, Fears and phobia, Health anxiety, Panic attacks, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Decision making, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Stephanie Sideris
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Stephanie Sideris
Registered Social Worker
She/Her/Hers
Children/Teens, Stress, Relationships, Anxiety, Self-esteem, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Effective communication, Family issues, Low mood, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Navigating challenging relationships, Perfectionism
Children/Teens, Stress, Relationships, Anxiety, Self-esteem, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Effective communication, Family issues, Low mood, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Navigating challenging relationships, Perfectionism
Luigi Garde
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
Luigi Garde
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
He/Him
Men's issues, Identity and Self-Exploration, Meaning and purpose, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, BIPOC, Caregiver burnout, Thought Restructuring, Workplace stress, Addiction, Sports Performance, Empowerment, Responsibility, Anger Management, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Attachment, Trauma, Depression, Cultural Challenges, Decision making, Goal Setting, Effective communication, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Navigating challenging relationships, Masculinity, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Grief and Loss
Men's issues, Identity and Self-Exploration, Meaning and purpose, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, BIPOC, Caregiver burnout, Thought Restructuring, Workplace stress, Addiction, Sports Performance, Empowerment, Responsibility, Anger Management, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Attachment, Trauma, Depression, Cultural Challenges, Decision making, Goal Setting, Effective communication, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Navigating challenging relationships, Masculinity, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Grief and Loss
Hana Urushizawa
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in BC, ON, AB, QC, and MB.
Waitlist
Hana Urushizawa
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Relationships, Cultural Challenges, Nervous system regulation, Attachment wounds, BIPOC, Boundaries and boundary setting, Childhood trauma, Family Conflict, Highly Sensitive Person, Trauma processing, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Separation anxiety, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Mind-body connection, Self-Regulation, Trauma, Identity and Self-Exploration
Relationships, Cultural Challenges, Nervous system regulation, Attachment wounds, BIPOC, Boundaries and boundary setting, Childhood trauma, Family Conflict, Highly Sensitive Person, Trauma processing, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Separation anxiety, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Mind-body connection, Self-Regulation, Trauma, Identity and Self-Exploration
Lauren Robertson
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Lauren Robertson
Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her
OCD, Relationships, Trauma, Depression, Boundaries and boundary setting, Navigating challenging relationships, Perfectionism, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Conflict resolution, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, People pleasing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Infertility, Infidelity, Parenting, Fertility, Pregnancy, Imposter syndrome, BIPOC, Identity and Self-Exploration
OCD, Relationships, Trauma, Depression, Boundaries and boundary setting, Navigating challenging relationships, Perfectionism, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Conflict resolution, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, People pleasing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Infertility, Infidelity, Parenting, Fertility, Pregnancy, Imposter syndrome, BIPOC, 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.