Reaching out for therapy is a big step, whether you’re managing anxiety, working through a relationship conflict, supporting a struggling child, or simply wanting to understand yourself better. At The Relationship Centre, we believe that step should feel welcoming and collaborative, not intimidating.
We’re proud to offer compassionate, emotional-based therapy at our Kingston, Ontario location, supporting individuals, couples, children, teens, and families as they build healthier relationships with themselves and the people they love. Below, you’ll find our Kingston services, meet the seven therapists based at this location, and learn what to expect when you start therapy with us.
Therapy Services Available in Kingston
Every client arrives with a different story. Some come because anxiety has started affecting daily life; others are coping with grief, burnout, parenting stress, trauma, or conflict at home. There’s no “right” reason to start therapy, our Kingston clinicians tailor each plan to your goals, experiences, and pace, creating a space to explore difficult emotions while learning practical tools you can use right away.
Individual Therapy
gives you a confidential space to work through anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, grief, trauma, self-esteem struggles, or a major life transition. Many clients come looking for relief from a specific stressor and stay because they discover deeper personal growth along the way.
Couples Therapy
Couples therapy isn’t just for relationships that are falling apart. Many couples come because they want to communicate better, feel more connected, prepare for marriage, navigate the challenges of parenting, or simply make time to strengthen their relationship before small issues turn into bigger ones.
Others reach out when they’re facing more difficult challenges, such as differences in attachment styles, betrayal of trust or infidelity, intimacy concerns, or recurring conflicts that leave both partners feeling stuck, misunderstood, or unheard. No matter where you are in your relationship, therapy offers a safe, supportive space to better understand one another and work through challenges together. If you’ve been together for one year or thirty, investing in your relationship is one of the most meaningful ways to build a stronger, healthier, and more connected future together.
Family Therapy
looks at how family relationships, communication patterns, and life experiences influence one another, rather than treating one person as “the problem.” As children grow, blended families adjust, and adult children take on caregiving roles, family therapy gives everyone a chance to be heard and helps the household develop healthier ways of communicating and solving problems.
Child Therapy
meets kids where they are. Children don’t always have the words to explain big feelings, those emotions often surface as withdrawal, anger, trouble at school, sleep issues, or physical complaints like stomach aches. Our child therapists create developmentally appropriate spaces where kids can express themselves through conversation, play, and creative, evidence-based approaches, while parents get the guidance they need to support their child at home.
Meet Your Kingston Therapy Team
Every therapist at our Kingston office brings distinct training and a genuine investment in your goals. The relationship you build with your therapist is one of the strongest predictors of a good outcome, so we take care to match you with someone whose approach fits your needs.
Alexander Orr, MSW, RSW:
Offers individual, couples, and virtual therapy grounded in Internal Family Systems, trauma-informed, and relational approaches. Alexander has a particular interest in supporting clients navigating sexuality, gender identity, or neurodivergence, alongside anxiety, trauma, and relationship challenges.
Read more: https://www.therelationshipcentre.ca/staff/alexander-orr/
Cheryl Bechard Howe, MSW
Specializes in child, teen, and individual therapy, with more than 23 years of experience across child welfare, education, youth justice, brain injury rehabilitation, autism services, and separation and divorce support. She draws on CBT, DBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, ACT, and Emotion Focused Family Therapy, often working alongside parents to support lasting change at home.
Read more: https://www.therelationshipcentre.ca/staff/cheryl-howe/
Holly Knowles, MSW, RSW
Supports adults and couples facing relationship strain, depression, anxiety, stress, infidelity, and low self-esteem. Holly brings over 20 years of public service experience and training in Emotionally Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and Narrative Therapy.
Read More: https://www.therelationshipcentre.ca/staff/holly-knowles/
Jean Terhaar, RP (Qualifying)
A former registered nurse of 25 years, Jean now offers individual and couples therapy through an attachment-based, relational lens. She works with adults navigating anxiety, stress, depression, relationship concerns, trauma, grief, burnout, and self-esteem challenges.
Read More: https://www.therelationshipcentre.ca/staff/jean-terhaar/
Jenna Raymond, BSW, RSW
Provides individual, couples, family, and teen therapy, weaving Indigenous teachings and mindfulness into approaches like EFT, CBT, Narrative Therapy, and DBT. Jenna holds a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work and supports clients through grief, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, and questions of identity or belonging.
Read More: https://www.therelationshipcentre.ca/staff/jenna-raymond/
Tania Nicholls, RSW
Brings 17+ years of experience supporting children, individuals, and families, with particular passion for parent-child relationships and perinatal support through pregnancy, postpartum, infertility, or loss. She draws on psychodynamic approaches, EFT, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and CBT.
Read More: https://www.therelationshipcentre.ca/staff/tania-nicolls/
Ylva Kroke
Ylva works with individuals and couples, helping clients strengthen relationships, heal from trauma, and better understand the patterns that shape their lives through a compassionate, non-judgmental approach.
A Concierge Start: Just Call, We’ll Take It From Here
Figuring out where to start is often the hardest part of therapy, who to see, if they’re the right fit, how to even begin. That’s why we built a concierge-style intake process.
Meet Emma Dunkley, our Client Care Coordinator.
https://www.therelationshipcentre.ca/staff/emma-dunkley/
If you’d like to save the time of reading through each of our therapist bios on your own or guessing who might be the right match, you make one call (or send one message), and Emma takes it from there. She’ll:
- Listen to what’s bringing you to therapy (no pressure, no commitment, just a conversation.)
- Get a real sense of your needs, preferences, and goals so she can match you with a Kingston therapist who’s genuinely the right fit, not just whoever has an opening.
- Handle the scheduling and paperwork so your energy goes toward showing up for yourself, not sorting through logistics.
- Stay in your corner from that first phone call through every session that follows, checking in so you always feel informed and supported.
As Emma puts it: “I am here to help make your first experience with The Relationship Centre a gentle and caring one.” It’s a simple idea, a single, caring point of contact who takes care of the details so you don’t have to navigate the process alone.
How it works, in three steps:
- Connect with Our Client Care Coordinator. One phone call gets your questions answered and your needs understood.
- Get matched with the right therapist. Emma pairs you with a Kingston clinician whose training and approach fit what you’re looking for.
- Start feeling better. You and your therapist build a plan around your story, so every session moves you forward with confidence.
Book A Complimentary Consultation with Our Client Care Coordinator
Our Therapeutic Approaches
Because no two people experience challenges the same way, our team draws from several evidence-based methods depending on what you need:
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) strengthens emotional connection and communication, especially useful for couples and family relationships.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on psychological flexibility and living according to your values, rather than eliminating difficult thoughts.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps you recognize unhelpful thought patterns and build healthier responses to anxiety, depression, and stress.
- Trauma-informed care ensures every session accounts for how past experiences shape your sense of safety today.
- Child-centred approaches including play, storytelling, and movement to let kids express emotions in ways that feel natural for their age.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
You don’t need to have the “right words” or a perfectly organized story before coming to therapy. Many people aren’t sure where to start and that’s completely okay. Your therapist will guide the conversation, asking about what brought you in, what you’re hoping to achieve, and any questions you have along the way.
Your first session is about getting to know you, understanding your goals, and seeing whether the therapist feels like the right fit. Building trust takes time, and finding someone you feel comfortable talking to is an important part of the process. You’ll have the chance to ask questions about their approach, how sessions typically work, and what the next steps might look like. There’s no pressure to share everything at once, and you can move at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
Many clients leave their first session already feeling lighter, not because every problem is solved, but because they’ve finally had a safe space to be heard and no longer have to carry everything on their own.
The Benefits of Choosing a Local Kingston Therapy Team
If you prefer to meet in person or from the comfort of home, our Kingston therapists offer both in-person and virtual therapy to fit your lifestyle. As a local practice, we also understand the Kingston community and can connect you with local resources and additional supports when needed. No matter how you choose to attend, you’ll receive the same compassionate, personalized care focused on helping you reach your goals and feel better.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re looking for individual therapy, couples counselling, family therapy, or child therapy in Kingston, we’re here to support you.
We offer a free 20-minute consultation with our client care team, giving you the opportunity to ask questions, discuss your goals, and feel confident you’re choosing the right therapist before getting started.
Book Now
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if therapy is right for me?
If stress, anxiety, relationships, emotions, or life changes are affecting your well-being, therapy can help, you don’t need to wait until you’re in crisis.
Do you offer child therapy in Kingston?
Yes. Our Kingston child therapists use developmentally appropriate approaches to help kids safely express emotions, involving parents in the process where appropriate. We have dedicated play therapy rooms to provide a safe space for children of all ages.
Is couples therapy only for struggling relationships?
Not at all. Many couples use therapy to strengthen communication, deepen connection, or navigate a life transition together, not just to resolve conflict.
Do you offer virtual therapy?
Yes. Alongside in-person sessions in Kingston, several of our therapists offer secure virtual therapy across Ontario for added flexibility.
Feeling Better Starts Here
Find compassionate in-person therapy in Belleville and Kingston, and virtual therapy across Ontario. We’re here to help you, your partner, or your family heal, grow, and reconnect.
