Dahlya Smolash Psychotherapy
Couples Therapy
Using Emotion Focused Therapy, you and your partner learn to identify and shift negative interactional cycles you are trapped in (demand/withdraw, attack/attack, freeze/flee), replacing blame, distancing, and criticism with new emotional experiences of being accessible, responsive, and engaged. Using Gottman Therapy, you and your partner learn to accept "bids for connection" and influence, replace the “four horsemen of the apocalypse” (defensiveness, criticism, stonewalling, contempt), strengthen "love maps", nurture fondness and admiration, and explore the art of compromise. Based in Psychodynamic therapy, you will work on healing historical hurts that affect the couple dynamic today, and find new and connected ways to meet your needs as individuals and as a pair.
My background
I am a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario, with an MA in Counselling, Psychotherapy, and Spirituality from Saint Paul University (2016), with a focus on couples and families. I have 8 years of post-MA training in Psychodynamic psychotherapy with the Self-In-Relationship Institute. Other additional training is in CBT, EMDR (certified), DBT, Creative Arts Therapy, Sensory Motor Psychotherapy, Mindfulness, ACT, Internal Family Systems, Gottman Couples Therapy (level 1 and 2, Gottman Leader Training), advanced training in Emotion Focused Therapy for Couples (Externship), PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy), and Object Relations for couples. In order to best meet client needs, I participate in ongoing clinical training and consultation in multiple areas of assessment and treatment.​
Common challenges faced by couples/ issues I help you overcome
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Communication
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Family of origin/ in-laws
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Parenting
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Infidelity
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Individual issues (anxiety/ depression/ substances) effects on relationship
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Trust/ betrayal
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Intimacy - emotional/ sexual
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Childhood trauma impacts on relationship
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Emotional Connection
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Household chores
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Finances
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Time
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Values
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Religion/ spirituality
Get in Touch
To arrange a complimentary 15-minute Meet and Greet session, please contact me in the form provided.
Barrhaven, ON, K2J 5G9
613-234-8169
dsmolash@gmail.xom
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Therapy offered online and in person in Barrhaven.