The staff of BestMarriages.ca offers such assurance. While each of their marriage therapists holds the highest level of certification, they also have another tool in their counseling arsenal: Experience. They all use the Gottman Method they teach in fostering the success of their own family lives. Created by expert John Gottman who holds over 40 years of research and experience, this highly acclaimed method has proven effective in promoting healthy marriages and parenting techniques. Darren Wilk and Lawrence Stoyanowski are two of a handful of counselors in the world personally trained by John and Julie Gottman and certified to teach the Gottman Couples therapy in Level 1, 2 and 3. They also are the only Canadian Consultants in the organization, and have taught over 40 couples retreats. They come highly endorsed and trusted by the Gottman relationship Institute to represent them in Canada.
Darren Wilk R.C.C., M.A., C.G.T.
(Not currently accepting new clients)
Darren Wilk, Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Co-founder of Bestmarriages.ca, has been working with marriages and families since 1988
This includes being a foster parent, providing care as a professional parent loving and inspiring children with various challenges. He is also a Senior Consultant for the Gottman Organization in Canada, and Master Trainer, regularly presenting Gottman Couples Workshops. Darren has been training other counselors in Canada for over 12 years on how to use the Gottman Method of couples therapy. Recently he has been asked, to be one of a few master Trainers in the world to present “The Art and Science Couples Workshop” for the Gottman Institute in Seattle. Read More…
Duncan O’Mahony M.A., M.P.C., R.C.C.
(TUESDAYS and FRIDAYS)
Duncan is an Irish born Canadian citizen. He grew up on three continents as his family moved in search of a better life and opportunities. As a senior in high school he had his first encounter with kicking a football, this combined with a special coach who helped accommodate his schedule opened the door to play collegiate soccer and university football. It was not soon thereafter that soccer was left behind for kicking and punting a football. After a stellar career with the UBC Thunderbirds, Duncan was selected 14th overall in the Canadian Football League draft and went on to play 7 years of professional sports. During these years he was an all-star and played in 2 Grey Cups, winning 1 in 2001, and garnished several team awards and league nominations. Read More…
Josipa Katinic M.A., R.C.C., C.C.C., S.E.P., R.H.N., E.P.C.
(ONLINE ONLY)
Hi, I’m Josipa and I’m passionate about working with couples to help them return to or create an environment of happiness, care, and understanding in their relationships. Contrary to a popular mainstream belief, no one comes prepared to be in a relational partnership. In fact, what typically happens is:
• We choose a partner who knows how to push the exact buttons that trigger us
• We enter a relationship and 1, 2, 3 years later, realize our partner is unrecognizable and 100% not the same person we started dating.
How does this happen? Using the evidence-based Gottman Method, I work with clients like you to identify where your relationship went off track, what keeps it off track, and what interventions can be employed to correct and maintain stability and security in the relationship. Read More…
LaVerna Wilk R.C.C., M.C., C.G.T.
(TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & THURSDAYS)
I love to build champions and help people experience freedom in their lives every chance I get. I have worked with families, couples and individuals since 1988. As a Therapeutic Foster Parent, I have worked very closely with families to maximize relationship and minimize loss. As a therapist with individuals, I help people step out of their rut and move on to experience the life they want by learning to understand the stories we tell ourselves. It is not the events of our lives that are the problem, it is the story we tell ourselves about the event that creates problems. As a Certified Gottman Couples Therapist through the Gottman Institute, I teach tools so couples can move out of gridlock and begin to feel movement with their perpetual issues, learning to talk about the important things without hurting each other, while also deepening their friendship and connection.
Lawrence Stoyanowski R.C.C., M.Sc., M.F.T., C.G.T.
(TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & THURSDAYS)
I have been practicing marriage and family therapy since 1991, after receiving my degree from one of the top 5 Marriage and Family Therapy Programs in the world, Loma Linda University. I have been a Certified Gottman Therapist since 2006 and have practiced the Gottman Method since 2004. I am co-owner of Bestmarriages.ca and Affinity Counselling Services and co-founder of Lighthouse Therapeutic Services and I have also enjoyed working at counselling centers and family clinics in California and Alberta. After being certified in the Gottman Method of Couples Therapy (see www.gottman.com) it became a passion of mine to use this approach with clients to help integrate the principles and skills into their relationships. I feel that I am part of something that has real quality and purpose and my work with my couples has become very clear and focused. Read More…
Sarah Coft M.C.P., R.C.C
(MONDAYS, TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & THURSDAYS)
Hi, I’m Sarah, and I’ve made it my life’s work to help couples create a secure relationship marked by healthy communication, connection, and friendship! Whether you are looking for a relationship tune-up, or you’re feeling hopeless about your relationship, I am here to help. Research has repeatedly shown that the relationship you have with your counsellor predicts the success you experience in counselling. This is why I prioritize creating a non-judgmental, empathic environment where both partners feel heard. It is crucial that your counsellor checks their biases at the door so they can hold space for both partner’s experiences. I seek to do this by taking a client-centered approach that focuses on your culturally-specific needs and goals for your relationship. I integrate the training I’ve received from Gottman Method Couples Therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy to help couples heal from betrayal, rebuild trust, foster intimacy, and rediscover their friendship. Read More…
Stefan Kurschat M.C., R.C.C
(MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, FRIDAYS and SATURDAYS)
Hi, I’m Stefan and I’m passionate about helping couples like you and your partner restore your relationship. I specialize in couples counselling because it is my favorite type of counselling. Why, you might ask? Well, that’s because I am a romantic at heart, I believe in love, and I want you to succeed in your relationship and live happily ever after! It never ceases to amaze me how uplifted I am after each couples session. I love watching two people start talking again, deal with their stuff, and get back on the same page again. My clients tell me I am easy to open up to because I am a safe person to talk to. I practice an empathetic, validating, genuine, and non-judgmental approach so that no matter what you may tell me I won’t be shocked, condescending, bring my own issues into therapy, or impose my values on you. You will probably find that it won’t take long for you to conclude that I’m the right couples counsellor for you allowing you to get to work on why you came in the first place. Read More…
Not in the Langley Area?We offer intensive multi-day marathon counselling or couples workshops in multiple cities across British Columbia and Alberta.
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Don’t throw in the towel – your relationship is worth fighting forEven though it is easy to lose hope in finding a way out, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Our job is to help you find it.
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