Ask a Couples Counsellor with Neha Kapoor

Petra started coming to therapy five years ago following an emotionally devastating breakup that rocked her sense of identity. Her journey has been one of love, infidelity, heartbreak, loss, and resilience. In this episode, Petra shares how she met and fell in love with her partner Nathan. She reflects on the highs and lows of their relationship, the factors that led to its breakdown, and what hap...

It’s all about the birds and the bees today. In this episode, we’re talking about sex. We discuss how the amount of time it takes to climax with a partner can impact relationships and whether it is possible to have a fulfilling sexual relationship with someone who experiences pain during sex.   Submit your question: Do you have a question you want answered? Drop us a line at novoe...

There’s a lot of pressure on romantic relationships, but what do you do when the pressure is from without rather than within? In this episode, we discuss handling external pressures on you and your relationship (or lack thereof). We discuss what to do if your friends don’t like your partner, your family won’t let you be single in peace, or your in-laws are overinvested in your re...

Please be advised this episode contains discussions about sexual abuse and child abuse. In the last episode, we discussed the definition of sexual abuse and debunked some common myths about sexual abuse. In this episode, we examine the trauma survivors deal with in the aftermath of sexual abuse including how trauma of grooming and abuse can manifest in children. If you find this episode distressin...

Please be advised this episode contains discussions about sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is an all too common occurrence for many people with significant long and short-term impacts on survivors. In this episode, we’re talking about how sexual abuse is defined, how it differs from other forms of abuse, and debunking some common myths and misconceptions. If you find this episode distressing and w...

We all know ghosting hurts. So why do people keep doing it? In this episode, we investigate why people ghost. We examine how you can reflect on what you need from a relationship and whether your partner can meet your needs before you're emotionally invested. And if you're feeling anxious about ending a relationship that isn't working, we discuss how to manage those feelings so you don't just ghost...

From vanilla to feet or BDSM, there are a million different ways to enjoy sex. So what if you want to try something new? In this episode, we dive into how to explore kinks for the first time if you’re in a long-term relationship. We also look at how to talk to your partner if you’re struggling to connect with a kink they've expressed interest in, and when you should bring up kinks, fantasies, and...

If you've ever broken up with a long-term partner, you've probably wondered, “Can I have sex yet or is it too soon?” In this episode, we explore how soon is too soon for post-breakup intimacy, whether it’s possible to have ongoing casual sex with somebody, how much ‘body counts’ matter and if they’re anybody else’s business anyway.   Resources and links: The Attachment Project website Relationship...

Parenting comes with plenty of tough questions without easy answers. But the first is usually, “Am I ready to be a parent?” In this episode, we look at how to reflect on your own feelings around parenthood outside of the expectations of others. We also dive into whether you and your partner should stay together for the kids and how to handle meeting your ex’s new partner when you have kids togethe...

Ethical non-monogamy or ENM has exploded into every corner of the dating scene in recent years but what exactly is it? And is everyone doing it? In this episode, we explore a range of non-traditional relationships like ethical non-monogamy, polyamory, open relationships, and swinging. We dig into what these relationships are, how they work, and how to balance healthy, fulfilling relationships with...

When a romantic relationship ends, most people hope never to see their ex again. But what if that’s not possible? In this episode, we explore how to co-parent with an ex when you aren’t on good terms and establish boundaries to differentiate your previous romantic relationship from your new parenting partnership. We also discuss practical steps for introducing your new partner to your kids in a wa...

Not all problems in a relationship are created equal. Some issues are so serious that addressing them becomes difficult due to concerns for your safety, relationship, or partner. In this episode, we identify five common traits associated with narcissism. We also discuss how to talk to your partner about feeling unheard and how to approach topics you're afraid to talk about.   Resources and links:...

Whether you're building, maintaining or ending a relationship, empathy is one of the most important skills you can start developing right now. In this episode, we examine empathy and how it makes up part of the most valuable habits for a happy relationship. We also look at the role of empathy in ending a relationship and answer the burning question of the modern age: can you break up with someone...

Our bodies change constantly throughout our lives. So why are we so uncomfortable talking about it? In this episode, we discuss the life-changing effects of menopause and andropause, the lesser-known male equivalent. We examine how menopause and andropause affect people physically, emotionally, and sexually as individuals, how they impact relationships, and how to overcome the challenges related t...

Often, conflict is considered the worst thing that can happen in a relationship, so couples may find themselves avoiding difficult but necessary conversations out of fear that the conflict reflects some hidden incompatibility. The truth is that conflict is inevitable in any long-term relationship, so it is essential to understand how to navigate in healthy ways with your partner. In this episode,...

Your breath catches, your heart skips a beat, your stomach is in knots or full of butterflies. There’s no denying the physical feeling of falling in love, but why does it feel like that? In this episode, we dig into the science of falling in love and its effects on the body. We also look at asexuality and aromanticism and the role of genetics and environment on these sexualities.   Connect: Novo E...

For a relationship to last, you need to feel safe and comfortable. You need trust. But what do you do when a partner has betrayed your trust? In this episode, we look at the steps you can take to repair and heal the fractures in your relationship. We also discuss how to trust a new partner if you've had your trust betrayed in the past.   Connect: Novo Empower Counselling website Novo Empower Couns...

The internet is a great way to stay connected, but is it also driving us apart? With more of our daily experiences happening online, classic relationship issues have taken on a modern flavour. In this episode, we look at how social media can contribute to relationship stress. We also bring the age-old question: 'Is it cheating to watch porn?' into the modern era through the examination of online p...

If you’ve noticed tensions and conflicts rising to the surface more and more often in your relationship, you also might have found yourself thinking, to a greater or lesser extent, “Hey, maybe we’d be better off apart.” Relationships end for lots of reasons. In this episode, we explore why. We also answer the big question: how do you know it’s time to end things?   Connect: Novo Empower Counsellin...

Trust is the foundation of any relationship, and cheating undermines that trust. So why does it happen? And what do you do if you or your partner has strayed from the relationship? The reasons for infidelity are different for everyone and in this episode, we examine some of the most common reasons why people cheat. We also discuss the challenge of rebuilding trust in a relationship after infidelit...

Sexual compatibility can play a significant role in creating and maintaining a successful relationship. But how important is sexual compatibility really? In this episode, we define what it means to be sexually compatible and how much of a role it should play in deciding to pursue a relationship. We also dig into how to handle the topic of mismatched sex drives between partners with sensitivity whi...

The honeymoon period is a time at the start of a relationship where everything is new and exciting. This intoxicating period is different for everyone, but what happens when the honeymoon is over? In this episode, we dive into the honeymoon period, what it feels like, and what causes it. We also discuss why relationships become stale, how to reignite them, and how both partners can bring some spic...