Relationship Assessment

Couples Assessment & Support

Struggling with distance or conflict? At CPC Clinics, our Relationship & Couples Assessment in Calgary clarifies challenges, strengthens communication, and provides clear steps toward connection and growth.

What Our Couples Assessment Includes: A couples evaluation is like piecing together a story. We explore communication patterns, stress points, and strengths to build a clear, balanced picture.

Comprehensive Couples Intake
Comprehensive Couples Intake: The process begins with a comprehensive couples intake that explores…
Comprehensive Couples Intake: The process begins with a comprehensive couples intake that explores the story of your relationship, including your shared timeline, core strengths, current stressors, values, and long-term goals. Preferred outcomes are discussed so that both partners feel heard and aligned, and brief individual check-ins are included when appropriate to ensure that each person’s voice and perspective are fully represented.
Attachment and Pattern Mapping
Attachment and Pattern Mapping: Together we identify and map out the patterns that may be creating…
Attachment and Pattern Mapping: Together we identify and map out the patterns that may be creating tension in your relationship, such as pursue-and-withdraw or attack-and-defend cycles. We look closely at the triggers that spark conflict, the repair attempts that may not land as intended, and the moments of both disconnection and reconnection. By making these cycles visible, couples gain a clearer understanding of what is happening beneath repeated arguments.
Communication Review
Communication Review: We review how you currently communicate with one another, paying…
Communication Review: We review how you currently communicate with one another, paying attention to clarity of expression, listening habits, and the emotional signals that are exchanged. From there, we introduce practical adjustments such as calmer conversation starts, fair-fight rules that prevent escalation, and simple repair phrases that help de-escalate tension and restore connection more quickly.
Standardized Screening
Standardized Screening: A set of brief, validated screening measures is completed to assess…
Standardized Screening: A set of brief, validated screening measures is completed to assess relationship distress, satisfaction, and risk factors. Results are shared in clear, plain language that avoids jargon and ensures both partners understand what the findings mean for their relationship. These measures provide a structured way to track challenges and progress over time.

Context Factors

Context Factors: We also consider the broader life context that shapes your relationship, such as parenting…
Context Factors: We also consider the broader life context that shapes your relationship, such as parenting responsibilities, shift work, sleep routines, or health concerns. By acknowledging these factors, we work together to identify realistic and doable protections for time, energy, and shared connection so that your relationship can be supported in daily life.

Next-Steps Plan

Next-Steps Plan: The process concludes with a next-steps plan that is tailored to your unique relationship…
Next-Steps Plan: The process concludes with a next-steps plan that is tailored to your unique relationship. This includes concrete home practices, curated resources, and recommendations for ongoing support. Options may involve short-term skills coaching, a referral for evidence-based couples therapy such as Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) or Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT), or a structured practice plan that both partners agree to follow.

Why Our Couples Assessment is the Clear Choice for You

Meet Our Calgary Relationship & Couples Assessment Psychologists:

Flexible & Accessible Counselling Options :

Our Relationship & Couples Assessment Calgary uses evidence-based tools to clarify patterns and stressors. Fees vary by session length and complexity; a brief intake helps us match the scope.

Couples Assessment
$2000 – $4000

Insurance billing available under specific conditions

In-person sessions available in Calgary

Let’s find a time and format that works best for you.

Blogs:

How Stress Affects Your Relationship and Ways to Cope

Discover how patterns of conflict, stress, and communication affect your daily connection, and learn how our Relationship & Couples Assessment Calgary provides clarity and practical strategies for healthier, more supportive bonds.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Ans : Only with your explicit consent. If helpful, we can share a brief summary of findings and recommendations—you choose what is shared and with whom.

Ans : Counselling isn’t a cure and we don’t offer timelines. Many people report less distress, steadier routines, and more confidence doing important activities—even when pain persists. Approaches like CBT, ACT, and mindfulness can reduce pain interference and improve function versus usual care. (Harvard Health)

Ans : Not exactly. The assessment is a time-limited process to understand patterns and outline next steps. You’ll practise some skills, but ongoing therapy (EFT/CBCT) is optional and collaborative if you choose it.

Ans : Safety comes first. If there is risk of harm, contact emergency services or local crisis supports before scheduling. In session, we outline de-escalation steps, boundaries, and crisis options specific to your situation.

Ans :  Most couples complete the assessment in 1–3 sessions, depending on goals and complexity. You’ll receive verbal feedback (and, when helpful, a brief written summary) plus tailored recommendations for next steps.

1. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

What It Is :

EFT is an attachment-based approach that helps partners notice reactive loops, risk softer signals, and create new moments of safety and comfort. In assessment, we use EFT concepts to name the pattern you’re in and identify two or three “first switches” that de-escalate conflict and invite reconnection. You’ll leave knowing what to try and what to watch for between sessions.

Key Benefits:

  • y mapping your pursue–withdraw or criticize–defend loop, EFT helps both partners see the pattern as the problem, not each other. As reactivity drops, you can risk softer signals and create moments of safety that support lasting change within our Relationship & Couples Assessment Calgary process. (EFT Research)

  • EFT strengthens attachment bonds so repairs stick, satisfaction rises, and recovery after conflict speeds up. Consequently, you leave with 2–3 “first switches” to try at home, making de-escalation repeatable between sessions. (The Effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy)

2. Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy

What It Is :

CBCT highlights how interpretations and behaviors can amplify conflict (mind-reading, all-or-nothing talk, stonewalling). We’ll identify the thought/behavior traps fueling your cycle and offer targeted alternatives—checking assumptions, behavior exchanges, time-outs, and specific repair attempts—so you can create calmer, more productive discussions.

Key Benefits:

  • We identify mind-reading, all-or-nothing interpretations, and stonewalling, then replace them with checks for assumptions and concrete behavior exchanges. The result is calmer conversations that stay on topic long enough to solve real problems. (Cognitive‐Behavioral Couple Therapies: Review)

  • With time-outs, specific repair attempts, and clear “re-entry” scripts, CBCT converts awareness into action. Over time, these micro-skills improve communication quality and reduce relapse into the old cycle. (Cognitive‐Behavioral Couple Therapies: Review)

3. Communication & Repair Skills

What It Is :

During the assessment, we practise high-leverage tools—gentle start-ups, reflective listening, short “pause and reset,” and clear re-entry scripts—so you both experience what de-escalation feels like in real time. These are small, repeatable moves designed to be used at home right away.

Key Benefits:

  • You will practise gentle start-ups, reflective listening, and short “pause and reset” moments so validation comes through even during hard topics. This makes conversations safer and recovery faster. (Fostering Healthy Relationships — Harvard Health)

  • Early signs of flooding are named, and partners agree on scope, time-outs, and re-entry timing. Because physiology matters, stepping back and then returning protects the bond while you tackle the issue. (Gottman Institute — Flooding)

4. Mindfulness/ACT-informed strategies

What It Is :

We’ll introduce simple ways to notice urges and escalations without acting on them, then choose values-aligned responses under stress. Expect brief, practical cues (breath/ground, values check, one-line re-entry) that fit into busy schedules and parenting realities.

Key Benefits:

  • Brief grounding, values checks, and one-line re-entries help you notice urges and choose responses that fit your goals as a couple. As a result, you stay engaged without burning out. (Mindfulness & Acceptance-Based Program)

  • Mindfulness practices are linked to better acceptance of a partner and more stable relationship quality under stress. Integrated with our Relationship & Couples Assessment Calgary, these routines are small and highly repeatable. (Mindfulness and Romantic Relationships)

5. Psychoeducation & Safety Planning

What It Is :

You’ll learn how stress, sleep changes, and transitions strain bonds, how flooding and shutdown show up, and the steps for de-escalation and safety if risk rises. We’ll outline clear boundaries, crisis ladders, and when to access urgent supports; emergency services come first if anyone is unsafe.

Key Benefits:

  • You learn how stress, sleep loss, and major transitions trigger flooding or shutdown, plus exactly what to do when safety concerns emerge. We outline boundaries, crisis ladders, and how to access urgent supports first. (CMHA BC — Safety Plan)

  • With simple education on signals and de-escalation, couples adopt common phrases and routines that make security more predictable. This shared plan reduces mixed messages and keeps momentum between check-ins. (Fostering Healthy Relationships — Harvard Health)