Our LGBTQ+ Relationship Counselling Services

Step 1: Initial Contact and Getting Started

Welcome to Turning Tides Counselling & Life Coaching. We're glad you're considering LGBTQ+ relationship counselling as a step toward strengthening your connection and navigating your unique relationship journey. This first step is about getting to know you, understanding what brings you here, and exploring whether our services are the right fit for your needs.

What Happens During Step 1

Your journey begins with a warm, welcoming conversation. There's no pressure, no judgment, and no complicated forms to fill out. We simply want to understand what's happening in your relationship and what you're hoping to achieve through counselling.

During this initial contact phase, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Share your story and what prompted you to seek support right now
• Discuss any specific challenges or concerns affecting your relationship
• Learn about how we work and the approaches we use
• Ask any questions you have about the counselling process
• Explore whether our services align with what you're looking for

What to Expect

Our first conversation is designed to be comfortable and unhurried. Kotone Frankowski, a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor, will listen carefully to both of you. She'll ask thoughtful questions to understand your relationship history, what's working well, and where you'd like to see improvement.

This isn't about diagnosis or judgment. It's about connection. We approach every conversation with genuine curiosity and respect for your lived experience as an LGBTQ+ couple. You'll notice right away that we create space for both partners to be heard equally.

The initial conversation typically takes about 50 minutes. We'll discuss practical details like session frequency, how we work together, and what you can expect as we move forward. If you're interested in proceeding, we'll help you schedule your first full session.

Our Approach to LGBTQ+ Relationship Counselling

We understand that LGBTQ+ relationships carry their own unique strengths and challenges. Your experiences with identity, community, family dynamics, and systemic barriers all matter. Our counselling honours these realities while focusing on what you both want to build together.

We use approaches grounded in Internal Family Systems work, somatic practices, and other evidence-based methods that help couples understand themselves and each other more deeply. We're trained in care informed by trauma research, which means we recognize that many LGBTQ+ individuals carry experiences that shape how they show up in relationships. We work with compassion and understanding.

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Started

Do I need to have my partner with me for the first contact?

Not necessarily. Some couples prefer to call together. Others have one partner reach out first. We're flexible and can work with whatever feels most comfortable for you. If you'd like to have an initial conversation on your own before involving your partner, that's absolutely fine.

What if I'm nervous about sharing personal details?

That's completely normal. Many people feel nervous before their first counselling conversation. What helps is knowing that everything you share is held in strict confidence. We've created a space specifically designed to feel safe. You control the pace and depth of what you share. There's no rush.

How do I know if counselling is right for us?

That's exactly what this first step is for. During our initial conversation, we'll talk openly about whether we're a good match for what you need. If we think another approach or provider might serve you better, we'll say so. Our goal is to make sure you get the right support, whether that's with us or elsewhere.

What if we've never done counselling before?

Many couples come to us without any previous counselling experience. We'll walk you through everything. There's no special knowledge you need to have. Just bring yourselves and your willingness to explore your relationship more deeply.

Is everything confidential?

Yes. What you share in counselling is protected by professional confidentiality. The only exceptions are situations involving immediate safety concerns, which we'll discuss openly with you. We operate within British Columbia's professional standards and regulations.

How much does this cost?

Couples sessions are offered at an affordable rate. We also work with major insurance providers including Canada Life, Green Shield Canada, Manulife, SunLife, and Pacific Blue Cross. Coverage may be available based on your individual policy. We're happy to discuss payment options and can answer specific questions about costs during your initial contact.

Can we do this online?

Yes. All our LGBTQ+ relationship counselling is offered through secure online sessions. This means you can participate from wherever you're most comfortable, whether that's at home, in your car, or anywhere with privacy. We use encrypted video conferencing to protect your privacy completely.

How long does counselling typically take?

That depends on what you're working on and what feels right for your relationship. Some couples work with us for a few months, others for longer. We'll discuss this together and adjust as needed. There's no standard timeline. We follow your pace and your goals.

What if one of us is hesitant about counselling?

That's really common. Sometimes one partner is more enthusiastic than the other at first. During your initial conversation, we can explore those hesitations. Often, people feel more comfortable once they understand what counselling actually involves. It's not about blame or fixing anyone. It's about understanding each other better.

How to Get Started

Taking that first step is simple. You have several ways to reach out:

Online Booking

Visit our online booking platform to schedule your initial conversation at a time that works for you:

Book your initial session here

Email

Send us a message at info@turningtidestoday.com. Tell us a bit about what's happening and what you're hoping for. We'll respond within one business day to discuss next steps.

Phone

Call us at 778-321-6058. You can speak directly with Kotone or leave a message, and we'll get back to you promptly.

WhatsApp

If you prefer to reach out via WhatsApp, we're available there too. Send us a message and we'll connect with you.

What Happens After Step 1

Once you've had your initial conversation and decided to move forward, you'll schedule your first full counselling session. That's when the real work begins. You'll start exploring your relationship patterns, communication style, and what you both want to create together.

Between sessions, we offer email support. If something comes up or you want to reflect on what you've discussed, you can reach out. We're here to support your journey.

Our Commitment to You

We're committed to creating a space where you feel genuinely seen and valued as an LGBTQ+ couple. Your relationship matters. Your experiences matter. The love and commitment you share matters. We're honoured to walk alongside you as you strengthen your connection and navigate whatever comes next.

This is just the beginning. Step 1 is about opening the door. What happens next is up to you.

Ready to Begin?

Reach out today. Whether you book online, send an email, or give us a call, we're ready to listen and support you.

Turning Tides Counselling & Life Coaching

1451 Burnaby Street, Vancouver, BC V6G 1W6

Phone: 778-321-6058

Email: info@turningtidestoday.com

Online Booking: https://www.colib.io/booking/turning-tides-coaching-counselling

Website: www.turningtidestoday.com

We serve all of British Columbia through secure online sessions, including Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island, the Fraser Valley, Interior BC, Northern BC, the Kootenays, and beyond. We also work with couples internationally.

Step 2: Getting to Know Each Other and Setting Your Direction

Welcome to Step 2 of your journey with Turning Tides Counselling & Life Coaching. This is where we truly begin to understand your relationship, your hopes, and what you want to create together. Think of this step as laying the foundation for meaningful change.

What Happens in Step 2

During your first sessions with us, we focus on three important things. First, we get to know you and your partner as individuals and as a couple. Second, we explore what brought you to counselling and what matters most to you both. Third, we work together to create clear goals that will guide our work together.

This is a collaborative process. We are not here to judge or diagnose. We are here to listen, understand, and support you both in building the relationship you want.

The Intake Conversation

Your first session is really a conversation. Kotone will invite each of you to share your story. She will ask about your relationship history, how you met, what has worked well, and what challenges you are facing right now. She will also explore your individual backgrounds, values, and what you hope to achieve through counselling.

This conversation is trauma informed. That means Kotone understands that many people carry difficult experiences that shape how they show up in relationships. She creates space to explore these gently and with care. You are always in control of what you share and how much you share.

The intake conversation typically takes place during your first or second session. There are no forms to fill out beforehand. Instead, we have a natural dialogue that helps us understand you both more fully.

What to Prepare and Bring

You do not need to bring anything physical to your sessions. However, here are some things that help to think about beforehand:

• Reflect on what brought you to counselling right now. What is happening in your relationship that made you seek support?
• Think about your relationship timeline. When did you meet? What were the early days like? How has your relationship evolved?
• Consider what is working well in your relationship. What do you appreciate about your partner? What are your strengths as a couple?
• Identify specific challenges or concerns. What topics feel difficult to talk about? Where do you get stuck?
• Clarify your hopes. What would be different if counselling went really well? What do you want to feel more of in your relationship?
• Prepare any questions you have about the counselling process, how we work, or what to expect.

Understanding Our Approach to Getting to Know You

We use a conversational approach rather than formal questionnaires or lengthy paperwork. As we talk together, Kotone is listening for patterns, strengths, and areas where healing and growth can happen. She draws from several therapeutic approaches to understand your situation fully.

Our work is informed by Internal Family Systems, which helps us understand the different parts of ourselves and how they show up in relationships. We also use approaches grounded in somatic work, which recognises that our bodies hold wisdom about our experiences. Cognitive and acceptance based approaches help us work with thoughts and feelings in new ways. And we integrate trauma informed care throughout, understanding how past experiences shape present relationships.

You do not need to understand these approaches in detail. What matters is that Kotone tailors her understanding to what you and your partner need.

Setting Goals Together

Once we understand your situation better, we work together to set goals. These are not goals that Kotone imposes on you. These are goals that come from you.

Good goals are specific and meaningful. Instead of 'improve communication,' a goal might be 'feel heard and understood when we talk about difficult topics' or 'rebuild trust after a breach in our relationship.' Instead of 'be happier,' a goal might be 'feel more connected and less lonely in our relationship.'

We also identify your strengths. Every couple has them. Maybe you are both committed to making things work. Maybe you can laugh together even in hard times. Maybe you have weathered other challenges successfully. These strengths become resources we draw on throughout our work together.

Your goals may shift as you move through counselling. That is completely normal. We check in regularly about whether our direction still feels right for you both.

Addressing Common Concerns About This Step

Will I have to share everything about my past? No. You share what feels safe and relevant. Kotone will never push you to disclose more than you are comfortable with. If your past experiences are affecting your relationship now, we can explore them at a pace that works for you.

What if my partner and I have different goals? This is actually quite common. We work to find common ground and understand where your goals might differ. Sometimes partners want different things, and that is information we can work with. Our role is to help you both feel heard and to find a path forward together.

What if I do not know what I want? That is okay. Many people come to counselling without a clear sense of what they want to change. Through our conversations, clarity often emerges. Kotone will help you explore possibilities and discover what matters most to you.

Is this step going to feel awkward or clinical? We work hard to make this feel natural and conversational. Kotone is warm and approachable. She asks questions in a way that invites reflection rather than interrogation. Most couples find this step helpful and even relieving, because they finally get to talk about what is really going on.

How long does Step 2 take? This step typically unfolds over your first two to three sessions. Each session is 50 minutes. Some couples move through this phase quickly. Others like to take more time to really explore and understand each other with Kotone's support. We follow your pace.

What Happens After Step 2

Once we have a clear picture of your relationship and shared goals, we move into Step 3, where we begin the deeper work of healing and change. You will have a sense of direction and a sense of partnership with Kotone. You will know that you are not alone in this.

Between sessions, you may receive a brief email reflecting on what you shared and any reflections or small practices that might support your growth. These are always optional and tailored to what feels helpful for you.

Ready to Begin?

Step 2 is an investment in understanding yourselves and your relationship more deeply. It is the groundwork for meaningful change. We are here to support you both with care, respect, and genuine interest in your wellbeing.

Our LGBTQ+ relationship counselling services are available online and serve all of British Columbia, including Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Kamloops, and communities throughout the province. We also serve clients internationally.

If you have questions about what to expect or want to discuss your specific situation before booking, we offer a free 20-minute consultation.

Ready to take the next step? Book your first session through our online booking platform at https://www.colib.io/booking/turning-tides-coaching-counselling.

You can also reach out directly:

• Email: info@turningtidestoday.com
• Phone: 778-321-6058
• Website: www.turningtidestoday.com

We look forward to supporting your relationship journey.

Step 3: Your Healing Journey Begins

Welcome to the active phase of your LGBTQ+ relationship counselling. This is where real transformation happens. You and your partner will work together in a supportive space to build the connection you deserve, heal from past wounds, and develop skills that strengthen your bond.

What Happens in Your Sessions

Each session lasts 50 minutes and follows a thoughtful structure designed to help you both feel heard and supported.

Session Component	What Happens	Why It Matters
Opening Check-In	We begin by seeing how you're both feeling and what's on your minds since we last met. This might include recent wins, challenges, or things you've been thinking about.	This helps us understand where you are emotionally and sets the tone for a safe, caring conversation.
Reflecting on Progress	We talk about what you've been practising between sessions. What felt good? What was challenging? There's no judgment here, only curiosity and support.	Your efforts matter. We celebrate what's working and gently explore what needs adjustment.
Deep Exploration	Together we look at what's happening in your relationship right now. We explore communication patterns, emotional needs, and the ways past experiences might be showing up in your connection.	Understanding the roots of challenges helps you both respond with compassion rather than react with defensiveness.
Learning and Practising	We introduce new ways of communicating, connecting, and managing difficult emotions. You'll practise these skills right here in the session with support.	New skills feel awkward at first. Practising together builds confidence and creates real change.
Planning Your Week	We identify one or two things you'll focus on before our next session. These are realistic, meaningful practices you can do together.	Small, consistent efforts create lasting transformation in your relationship.
Closing	We summarize what we've learned and invite your feedback. Your voice shapes how we work together.	You're the expert on your own relationship. We're here to guide and support.

Therapeutic Approaches We Use

Our counselling draws on several evidence-based approaches, all tailored to your unique needs as an LGBTQ+ couple.

• Internal Family Systems (IFS) work: This approach helps you understand the different parts of yourself and your partner. Sometimes we react from a protective part rather than our wisest self. We help you access that wisdom and compassion.
• Somatic approaches: Your body holds wisdom and memory. We help you notice what's happening in your body during conversations and teach you how to calm your nervous system when things feel overwhelming.
• Polyvagal-informed care: This is about understanding how your nervous system responds to safety and threat. We help you both feel safer with each other, which naturally opens the door to deeper connection.
• Cognitive Behavioural approaches: We look at the thoughts and beliefs that shape how you interact. Sometimes our minds tell us stories that aren't true. We gently challenge those stories and build new, more helpful ones.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): This helps you clarify what truly matters to you both and commit to actions that align with your values, even when difficult emotions show up.
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): We teach practical skills for managing intense emotions, communicating effectively, and building distress tolerance so you can navigate challenges together.

All of this is grounded in care informed by trauma research. We understand that many LGBTQ+ people carry the weight of discrimination, rejection, or past relational harm. We create space for healing while celebrating your resilience and authenticity.

What You'll Do Between Sessions

The real work happens in your daily life. Between sessions, you'll have meaningful practices that deepen what you're learning together.

• Reflective conversations: You might spend time talking about specific topics we've explored. These aren't lectures. They're gentle, curious conversations where you both share your thoughts and feelings.
• Communication practises: We'll give you specific ways to talk about difficult things. You might practise using 'I' statements, active listening, or expressing appreciation. Start small. Consistency matters more than perfection.
• Grounding and calming exercises: When emotions run high, your nervous system needs help settling. We'll teach you breathing techniques, body awareness practices, or other tools that help you both feel more regulated.
• Values and boundaries work: You'll reflect on what matters most to you individually and as a couple. What do you need to feel safe and respected? What boundaries protect your wellbeing? These conversations build the foundation of a healthy relationship.
• Journalling or reflection: Writing can help you process emotions and notice patterns. You might journal about moments of connection, challenges that arose, or insights you've had about yourself or your partner.
• Self-care and wellness practices: Healing happens when you care for yourselves. We'll help you identify what truly nourishes you both individually and as a couple.
• Exploring relationship patterns: You might reflect on how your past experiences, family messages, or cultural expectations show up in your relationship. Understanding these patterns with compassion opens space for change.

These practices aren't homework in the traditional sense. They're invitations to deepen your understanding and strengthen your connection. We'll always check in about what feels realistic and supportive for you both.

How We Track Your Progress

Progress in counselling isn't always linear. Some weeks feel like breakthroughs. Other weeks feel like you're going backwards. Both are part of the journey.

We track progress through ongoing conversations. In each session, we notice what's shifting. Are you communicating more openly? Do you feel safer with each other? Are you managing conflict with more compassion? These observations matter far more than any formal measurement.

We also invite you to reflect on your own progress. What have you noticed changing? What feels different in your relationship? Your perspective is the most important measure of success.

Some couples find it helpful to revisit their goals every few sessions. We can do this together, celebrating what you've accomplished and adjusting our focus if needed. This keeps your counselling aligned with what truly matters to you.

Between-Session Support

You don't have to wait until your next appointment if something comes up. Our therapeutic relationship continues between sessions.

• Email support: You can reach out via email with questions, reflections, or if you need guidance navigating something that's come up. We typically respond within one business day.
• Post-session follow-up: After each session, you'll receive an email summarizing the key points we discussed and the practices we identified for the week ahead. This helps you both stay connected to your progress.
• Access to resources: We share readings, practices, and tools that support your healing journey. These might include information about LGBTQ+ specific relationship challenges, trauma recovery, or communication skills.
• Flexible scheduling: Life happens. If you need to adjust your session time or need an extra session during a particularly challenging period, we work with you to make that possible.

Creating Safety and Affirmation

Your identities matter. Your relationship matters. The love you share matters.

Our counselling space is explicitly affirming of LGBTQ+ identities and diverse relationship structures. Whether you're navigating coming out, managing family rejection, exploring non-traditional relationship arrangements, or healing from past harm, you'll find understanding and support here.

We also recognise the unique pressures LGBTQ+ couples face. Discrimination, minority stress, and internalised stigma can all affect your relationship. We help you understand these external pressures while building internal resilience and connection.

Your Role in This Process

You are not passive recipients of counselling. You are active partners in your own healing.

You get to decide what feels right. If a practice doesn't resonate, we adjust. If you want to move faster or slower, we listen. If you have insights about what's working, we celebrate and build on that.

This is your relationship. This is your healing. We're here to guide, support, and walk alongside you both.

Ready to Begin?

Step 3 is where transformation takes root. Through consistent, compassionate work together, you'll build the relationship you deserve.

Our LGBTQ+ relationship counselling serving all of British Columbia is designed to meet you exactly where you are. Whether you're in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, or anywhere across the province, we offer online sessions that bring professional, affirming support directly to you.

Book your first session today through our online booking platform. You can also reach out with any questions about how we work together.

Schedule Your First Session

Or contact us directly:

• Email: info@turningtidestoday.com
• Phone: 778-321-6058
• Website: www.turningtidestoday.com

Your healing journey begins here. We're honoured to walk alongside you both.

Step 4: Progress Evaluation and Completion

You've reached an important milestone in your LGBTQ+ relationship counselling journey. Step 4 focuses on evaluating the progress you and your partner have made together, recognising the growth you've achieved, and planning for the future with confidence and clarity.

Understanding Your Progress

Throughout your sessions, we've been paying close attention to the shifts happening in your relationship. This isn't about filling out forms or ticking boxes. Instead, we've been having ongoing conversations about what's working, where you're noticing changes, and how you're both feeling about the direction of your partnership.

Progress in relationship counselling shows up in many ways:

• You communicate with greater honesty and vulnerability
• Conflicts feel less overwhelming and more manageable
• You understand each other's needs with deeper compassion
• Moments of connection feel more frequent and meaningful
• You've developed tools that actually work for your unique relationship
• You feel safer being your authentic selves together
• Patterns that once felt stuck have shifted or transformed

Evaluating Readiness for Completion

Deciding when counselling has reached its natural conclusion is deeply personal. There's no single timeline that fits everyone. Some couples benefit from ongoing support, while others feel ready to move forward independently. Here are signs that suggest you may be approaching completion:

• You're resolving disagreements using the skills you've learned
• You feel confident navigating challenges without session support
• Your relationship feels more stable and secure
• You've addressed the core issues that brought you to counselling
• You're both expressing satisfaction with your progress
• You have a clear sense of what healthy looks like for your partnership
• You feel equipped to handle future challenges together

During our final sessions together, we'll reflect on your journey. We'll celebrate what you've accomplished. We'll also ensure you feel genuinely prepared to continue this work on your own.

Maintenance Strategies for Long-Term Success

Completing counselling doesn't mean the work stops. It means you're taking what you've learned and integrating it into your daily life. Think of maintenance as tending a garden you've carefully cultivated.

Regular Connection Rituals

Establish practices that keep you emotionally close. This might be a weekly check-in conversation, a date night that feels sacred, or simply carving out time to really listen to each other without distractions.

Revisit Your Tools

The communication techniques, conflict resolution approaches, and grounding practices you've learned aren't meant to be forgotten. Revisit them when you need them. Keep notes or reminders of what worked during your counselling journey.

Honour Your Individual Growth

Continue investing in your own healing and development. Whether that's personal therapy, journaling, creative expression, or community involvement, your individual wellbeing directly strengthens your relationship.

Stay Aware of Patterns

You've become skilled at recognising when old patterns start to emerge. When you notice them, pause and choose differently. This awareness is one of your greatest strengths.

Maintain Boundaries and Authenticity

Keep honouring the boundaries you've established. Continue showing up as your true selves. These practices protect the safety and intimacy you've built.

Ongoing Support Options

Completing formal counselling doesn't mean you're on your own. Our relationship counselling services remain available whenever you need them.

Booster Sessions

Many couples find value in returning for occasional sessions, particularly during life transitions like moving in together, planning a commitment ceremony, navigating family dynamics, or working through unexpected challenges. These sessions help you recalibrate and reconnect with the skills you've developed.

Group Therapy and Community

Our LGBTQ+ focused group therapy book club and support groups continue to offer connection and learning. These spaces provide ongoing community, psychoeducation, and the comfort of knowing you're not alone in your relationship journey.

Between-Session Email Support

If you have questions or need brief guidance between sessions, you can reach out via email. We're here to support your continued growth.

Crisis Support

Should unexpected challenges arise that feel overwhelming, we can schedule sessions to help you navigate them. There's no shame in seeking support when you need it. It's actually a sign of strength and commitment to your relationship.

Celebrating Your Achievement

Take a moment to truly acknowledge what you've accomplished. You showed up for your relationship. You were willing to be vulnerable. You learned new ways of being together. You chose growth over staying stuck. That takes courage, especially within a society that doesn't always affirm LGBTQ+ relationships.

The work you've done in these sessions has created a foundation for a more authentic, connected, and resilient partnership. You've invested in something precious. That investment continues to pay dividends.

Moving Forward with Confidence

As you complete this phase of counselling, you're not leaving support behind. You're stepping into a new phase where you're the primary architects of your relationship's ongoing health and happiness. You have the tools. You have the awareness. You have each other.

Our relationship counselling services serving all of British Columbia remain available to you. Whether you need booster sessions, want to explore new dimensions of your partnership, or face unexpected challenges, we're here.

Ready to take the next step?

If you'd like to schedule a completion session, discuss booster sessions, or explore any of our ongoing support options, you can book through our online platform at https://www.colib.io/booking/turning-tides-coaching-counselling

You can also reach out directly at info@turningtidestoday.com or 778-321-6058 to discuss what ongoing support might serve you best.

Thank you for trusting us with your relationship. We're genuinely honoured to have been part of your journey toward greater connection, authenticity, and love.