Amber Sperling Social Work and Psychotherapy Services
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You're not failing as a couple - you're just tired and disconnected
Support for parents who want to feel like a team again - without needing to be in crisis.
The next step doesn't have to be a big one.
Not sure yet? Start with one conversation and see how it feels.
You won't be blamed, forced to take sides or expect to have it all figured out.
Feeling disconnected doesn't mean your relationship is broken
It means something important is trying to get your attention.
If you're stuck in the same arguments, feeling distant, or struggling to stay connected during pregnancy or early parenthood—you're not alone. Many strong couples hit breaking points during major life transitions.
Couples therapy with Catherine focuses on repairing the emotional bond, not assigning blame.
What Sessions Look Like
What to expect in couples therapy
What to expect in sessions:
  • You won't be blamed, judged or asked to "take sides"
  • Sessions focus on understanding patterns - not replaying old fights
  • We slow things down so conversations feel safer and more productive.
  • most couples leave the first session feeling clearer, not heavier.
Virtual Convenience
Attend sessions from home, making it easy to fit therapy around work schedules, childcare, and daily responsibilities.
Clear Structure
Sessions follow a thoughtful framework that prevents overwhelming spirals and keeps conversations productive.
Balanced Support
Both partners receive equal attention and validation—Catherine doesn't take sides or assign blame.
Practical Tools
Learn strategies you can implement between sessions to maintain connection during difficult moments.
You don't need to have the "right words." That's part of what therapy helps you find.
Who This Is For
Couples who want more than surface-level fixes
Catherine works especially well with couples navigating life's most challenging transitions. Her approach helps partners reconnect during moments when stress threatens to pull them apart.
This work is for couples who want real change—not just better scripts.
How EFT Is Different
Emotionally Focused Therapy focuses on connection — not blame
EFT is one of the most researched and effective approaches for couples therapy, with proven long-term results that help relationships thrive.
This evidence-based approach goes beyond communication techniques to heal the emotional bond between partners.
01
Identify Stuck Patterns
Recognize the cycles that keep you repeating the same painful interactions without resolution.
02
Understand Emotional Triggers
Learn what activates your nervous system and your partner's, creating space for compassion instead of reaction.
03
Respond Instead of React
Develop the capacity to pause, reflect, and choose responses that bring you closer together.
04
Rebuild Trust and Safety
Restore the emotional bond that allows both partners to feel secure, valued, and deeply connected.

This isn't about who's right. It's about restoring the bond.
Why Couples Drift Apart
Most couples don't fall apart because they stop caring. The distance grows for deeper reasons that feel impossible to name in the moment.
Stress Hijacks Connection
When your nervous system is overwhelmed, it's nearly impossible to stay emotionally present with your partner.
Old Patterns Resurface
Attachment patterns from childhood get activated during conflict, creating responses that feel automatic and uncontrollable.
Parenthood Changes Everything
New roles, shifting identities, and depleted emotional reserves make it harder to recognize each other's needs.
Conversations Become Cycles
Without realizing it, you stop connecting and start circling the same hurt feelings over and over.
EFT helps couples slow this down, understand what's underneath, and reconnect safely.
Why Work With Catherine
Calm. Grounded. Attachment-focused.
Catherine creates a therapeutic space where both partners feel genuinely heard, deeply understood, and safe enough to share their most vulnerable truths without fear of judgment.
Warm and Steady
Her presence brings a sense of calm that helps anxious nervous systems settle and defensive walls soften.
Structured but Human
Sessions follow a clear framework while remaining flexible and responsive to what you need in the moment.
Parenthood Support
Catherine specializes in helping couples navigate the emotional landscape of pregnancy and early parenting transitions.
"Couples often say sessions feel clarifying, connecting, and relieving—without feeling overwhelming."
Common Questions
Do we have to be on the brink of separation?
Absolutely not. Many couples come in proactively to strengthen their relationship—especially before or after having a baby. Prevention is powerful.
What if one of us is hesitant about therapy?
Hesitation is completely normal and common. The free consultation offers a low-pressure way to explore whether this feels like the right fit for both of you.
Is couples therapy covered by insurance?
Most extended health plans in Ontario cover psychotherapy services. Check with your specific provider about coverage details and reimbursement rates.
Start With a Free Consultation
You don't have to figure this out alone
A free 15-minute consultation gives you the opportunity to explore whether couples therapy with Catherine feels right for your relationship.
During this conversation, you can:
  • Ask questions about the therapeutic process and what to expect
  • Share what's been happening in your relationship recently
  • Get a sense of Catherine's approach and therapeutic style
  • Determine if this feels like a good fit for both partners
No pressure. Just clarity.
Prefer in person? Karah on our team offers in person in Barrie Thursdays and Saturdays for those that want a couch to sit on in a space outside your home.