The Couples Clinic

10/08/2026

If your marriage is on the verge of ending, you probably do not need another date night.

You do not need candles.
You do not need a romantic weekend.
And you probably do not need one more conversation that turns into the exact same fight.

You need a different way forward.

Our Marriage Intensive Retreat is not an ooey gooey romantic retreat.

It is a retreat specific to the two of you, and ONLY the two of you will be present in the confidential space of The Couples Clinic.

You are going to work.

You are going to learn how to communicate without destroying each other.

You are going to build practical relationship skills, understand the patterns that keep pulling you apart, and begin working through resentments that may have been sitting between you for years.

Because sometimes couples do not need more time.

They need focused time.

Two people.
One marriage.
A concentrated opportunity to stop the cycle and begin rebuilding what comes next.

I call it Marriage 2.0.

Not going back to the marriage you had.

Building a healthier one from here. And the changes we make…we are going to put it in writing

Your intensive may even be fully covered by your extended health benefits.

And if you are wondering whether this could help your marriage, I offer a free 30-minute consultation so we can talk about what is happening and whether an intensive is the right fit for you.

Before you give up, find out what is still possible.

Book your free consultation with The Couples Clinic. To book a free meeting please check us out here: https://thecouplesclinic.janeapp.com/ #/staff_member/1/treatment/57

09/30/2026

I’m currently taking a course on the history of the First Nations people and their experience of Colonialism. It’s not my first time learning this history. But I’m always heart broken when I read it.

The greatest gift you can give as an act of truth and reconciliation is to learn their history. You can have a free preview of the course for here: https://www.coursera.org/learn/indigenous-canada

09/15/2026

Ronnie Littlewood is hosting a new show on local cable television called Lambton Heals. It premieres tonight at 9:30 pm.

The show features stories from people who have struggled with some form of pain, and worked through their healing, by helping others and sharing their story.

09/10/2026

WORLD SU***DE PREVENTION DAY

Sometimes the person who needs help is the person sleeping beside you.

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day. A day to remember that su***de can touch any family, any relationship, and any community.

In Canada, approximately 4,500 people die by su***de every year, about 12 people every day. More than 200 people attempt su***de each day.

Research from Statistics Canada has found that married people have historically had lower su***de rates than people who are single, divorced or widowed. But marriage is not protection against su***de. A person can be deeply loved and still feel hopeless, trapped, overwhelmed or completely alone.

Know the warning signs.

Pay attention when you notice significant changes such as:

• Talking about wanting to die or not wanting to be here
• Saying they are a burden to others
• Feeling hopeless or believing things will never get better
• Feeling trapped or like there is no way out
• Withdrawing from family, friends or activities
• Significant changes in sleep or eating
• Increased alcohol or drug use
• Extreme mood changes, agitation, anger or despair
• Giving away possessions or putting affairs in order
• Taking unusual or dangerous risks
• Saying goodbye or talking about what will happen after they're gone

And sometimes the signs aren't dramatic.

Sometimes it's simply:

“I'm exhausted.”
“Everyone would be better off without me.”
“I can't do this anymore.”
“I don't see a way out.”

If you're worried, ask.

You will not put the idea of su***de into someone's head by asking about it. In fact, asking directly can open an important conversation.

If you or someone you love is thinking about su***de, call or text 9-8-8 in Canada. It is available 24/7. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

08/11/2026

We don't love, without risk.

We don't love without loss.

Love requires humility, perseverance, rejection, hurt feelings, forgiveness, kindness and patience.

Thank you C.S. Lewis for your words 46 years later. It is a wonderful reminder that "Loving" is as much as a verb as "trying."

08/07/2026

STOP DIAGNOSING YOUR PARTNER.

One of the things I am seeing more and more is people coming into relationships armed with labels.

He’s a dismissive avoidant.
She’s a narcissist.
He’s emotionally unavailable.
She’s toxic.

And sometimes those words may describe something real.

But sometimes, they become a shortcut that stops us from actually understanding what is happening between two people.

Your partner may shut down because they feel overwhelmed.

They may become defensive because they feel attacked.

They may pursue you harder because they are scared of losing connection.

They may pull away because every conversation feels like another opportunity to fail.

That doesn’t mean we excuse hurtful behavior.

It means we get curious about what is underneath it.

Because once you decide who your partner “is,” you stop looking at what the two of you are doing together.

And relationships are patterns.

One person reacts.
The other reacts to the reaction.
Then both people end up hurt, misunderstood and convinced the other person is the problem.

Labels create distance.

Understanding creates connection.

So before you diagnose the person you love, ask a different question:

“What keeps happening between us?”

That question might actually help you change it.

08/04/2026

07/21/2026

07/17/2026

The weather has been intense lately—heat, smoke, storms… it’s a lot on the nervous system.

And while we’re checking the forecast, it might be just as important to check in on the people we love.

Stress doesn’t always show up as “I’m struggling.”
Sometimes it looks like irritability, withdrawal, short tempers, or silence.

Before assuming the worst about your partner, your friend, or even your kids… pause and get curious.

“Hey, how are you doing with all of this lately?”
“I’ve noticed you seem a bit off—want to talk?”
“Anything you need from me right now?”

Small moments of care like this can shift everything.

Because most of the time, we’re not actually against each other…
we’re just overwhelmed at the same time.

Be kind to yourself and each other 💚💙

07/13/2026

You’re exhausted, not incompatible.

One of the biggest mistakes I see couples make is assuming that feeling disconnected means something is wrong with the relationship.

Sometimes…you’re simply running on empty.

When we’re exhausted, our patience shrinks. We become more reactive, less affectionate, and we start interpreting each other through a negative lens. Suddenly, everything feels bigger than it really is.

Before you decide your relationship is in trouble, ask yourself:
“When was the last time we actually refueled together?”

It doesn’t have to be a weekend away or an expensive date night.

Sometimes refueling looks like:
💚 Sitting on the porch together for 10 minutes after work.
💙 Taking a walk without talking about kids, bills, or the to-do list.
💚 Putting your phones away and sharing a cup of tea before bed.
💙 Sitting close to one another while watching your favourite show.
💚 Asking, “What’s one thing I can do to make your day a little easier?”

Healthy relationships aren’t built by grand gestures.
They’re built by hundreds of tiny moments where two tired people keep choosing each other.

Some seasons are about surviving.
The goal is simply to make sure you’re surviving together.

💚