Romance is a universal experience, but how it’s understood and practiced can vary greatly across cultures. In Canada, Indigenous peoples have rich traditions of love and courtship that are deeply intertwined with their cultural, spiritual, and communal identities.

When Indigenous people marry outside of their community—be it with non-Indigenous partners or individuals from different Indigenous nations—the resulting relationships can be both enriching and challenging.

This blog post explores the dynamics of romance among Canadian Indigenous people, focusing on what happens when they marry an outsider, and delving into the cultural, social, and emotional dimensions of these relationships. Drawing on social science research, we'll explore how couples navigate identity, traditions, and belonging.

Love in the Time of Housing Bubbles: How Economic Pressures Shape Relationships in Canada
In Canada, home is more than just where the heart is—it’s also the topic of every family dinner, a major source of stress for young couples, and, in some cities, a distant dream.

With sky-high prices in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and increasingly across the country, the Canadian housing bubble isn’t just a financial issue; it’s a relationship stressor.

For many couples, the struggle to buy a home—or even just afford rent—can put pressure on love in ways that their parents and grandparents may never have faced.

This post considers the unique challenges of the Canadian housing market, how they impact couples, and what research says about navigating financial strain without letting it come between you and your partner.

For many Canadians, winter isn’t just a season—it’s a way of life.

From the thrill of the first snowfall to cozy nights by the fire, there’s plenty to love about the cold months. But for some, the winter blues go much deeper than missing sunshine.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a common issue across Canada, where long, dark winters can have a profound effect on mood and mental health.

And when one or both partners are struggling with SAD, it can put unique strains on a relationship. This post takes a deep dive into how SAD impacts couples and explores the best practices for managing it together.

In a country known for its multiculturalism, maple syrup, and hockey, it’s easy to think that blending into Canadian society would be a breeze.

But for immigrant couples, the process of adjusting to a new life in Canada can be anything but smooth. From navigating complex immigration laws to building a sense of community far from home, these couples face unique pressures that can test the strength of their relationship.

This post explores these challenges, how they affect couples, and what helps them thrive in their new environment.

In Canada, love sometimes involves more than just learning to compromise on dinner plans—it’s about navigating two languages, cultural traditions, and maybe even choosing whether to watch “Hockey Night in Canada” in French or English.

Welcome to the world of bicultural and bilingual relationships, where couples tackle everything from linguistic misunderstandings to cultural holidays, all while keeping the romance alive.

Balancing Two Languages at Home

In Canada, it’s not unusual to have relationships where one partner speaks English as their first language and the other speaks French—or maybe Punjabi, Mandarin, or Cree.

Bilingual households come with their own brand of humor, like mixing up words in each other’s languages or debating whether “franglais” counts as a legitimate form of communication.

Maintaining a relationship is hard enough, but when your partner is three provinces away, it’s like trying to cuddle with an electric blanket that only works on one end.

Welcome to the unique joys and challenges of long-distance love in Canada, where the only thing more confusing than the miles between you is figuring out the time zone difference for that virtual date.

The Challenges of Distance

Canada is enormous—so massive that if you live in Vancouver and your partner is in Halifax, you might as well be dating someone in Europe.

This geographic reality has shaped many Canadian love stories, creating unique challenges that come with being separated by thousands of kilometers.

Couples therapy is a space meant to heal rifts and improve connection, but when one partner is too far into the narcissistic spectrum, the dynamic shifts darkly.

Rather than fostering open communication, it can become a battleground.

Narcissists are skilled at manipulation, gaslighting, and shifting blame, which can turn therapy sessions into frustrating exercises for the other partner.

How can you protect yourself, maintain your sense of reality, and find the strength to navigate this complex terrain?

This post discusses the strategies you’ll need, backed by social science research and insights from leading experts in narcissism. Let’s arm you with the knowledge to keep your balance when the emotional stakes are high.

Growing up under the influence of a narcissistic mother can shape a son's life in profound and lasting ways. Narcissistic mothers often see their children as extensions of themselves rather than as individuals with their own needs, leading to a variety of emotional challenges.

For sons, this dynamic can result in struggles with self-esteem, challenges in relationships, and a sense of never truly being "enough."

As a couples therapist, I’ve seen how the scars from such a childhood can influence adult life, but I’ve also witnessed how understanding these patterns can open the door to healing.

Let’s explore ten common symptoms of sons raised by narcissistic mothers, backed by social science research, to shed light on this often misunderstood topic.

Growing up under the influence of a narcissistic mother can shape a son's life in profound and lasting ways. Narcissistic mothers often see their children as extensions of themselves rather than as individuals with their own needs, leading to a variety of emotional challenges.

For sons, this dynamic can result in struggles with self-esteem, challenges in relationships, and a sense of never truly being "enough."

As a couples therapist, I’ve seen how the scars from such a childhood can influence adult life, but I’ve also witnessed how understanding these patterns can open the door to healing.

Let’s explore ten common symptoms of sons raised by narcissistic mothers, backed by social science research, to shed light on this often misunderstood topic.

Growing up with a narcissistic father is no small feat—it's like being in a lifelong reality show where you're the supporting character and your dad is always the star.

While daughters often bear the brunt of a narcissistic father's behavior, the impacts can be surprisingly complex.

Let’s delve deeper into how daughters may not only suffer but also absorb traits from a narcissistic father, and what the social science research has to say about it.

Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is a unique type of trauma that results from prolonged exposure to situations like childhood neglect, emotional abuse, or chaotic environments.

Peter Walker, a renowned psychotherapist and author, has become a leading voice in understanding and healing C-PTSD. His work sheds light on the deeply ingrained emotional struggles faced by those who endure chronic trauma, such as the abandonment melange, toxic shame, and emotional flashbacks.

In this post, we’ll delve into Walker’s core concepts, exploring how they can help people recognize, understand, and recover from the effects of C-PTSD.

When childhood feels more like survival mode than playtime, some important life lessons can slip through the cracks.

Think of it as missing key broadcasts while you were tuned into a static-filled station. But don’t worry—if you missed these life-changing messages before, it’s never too late to catch them now.

Here’s a look at 10 crucial lessons that might have gotten lost due to childhood trauma.