Business Details
33 Years
experience
Trusted Couples Counseling in Langley, BC
Best Marriages has been dedicated to transforming relationships since 1993. Our team of Gottman Certified Therapists brings decades of specialized expertise in couples counseling, combining rigorous scientific research with practical, evidence-based tools. We prioritize deep client engagement, personalized treatment plans, and continuous professional development to address complex relational challenges. Our methodology emphasizes measurable outcomes, emotional intelligence, and sustainable relationship growth.Through intensive counseling sessions and educational workshops, we empower couples to overcome communication barriers, rebuild trust, and cultivate lasting intimacy. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our rigorous therapist training programs and our active role in advancing the field of marriage counseling.
Services
Couples Counseling
Gottman Workshops
Individual Therapy
Affair Recovery
Pre-Marriage Sessions
Intensive Counseling
Personality Profile Assessment
Relationship Coaching
Details
- Year established: 1993
Highlights and features
- We offer Gottman Method therapy certified by the world's leading relationship research institute
- Our team includes master trainers personally mentored by Dr. John Gottman
- We provide intensive multi-day counseling sessions for accelerated relationship improvement
- We combine 40+ years of clinical research with practical, evidence-based tools
- We deliver both in-person and online counseling with flexible scheduling options
Associations and certifications
- Gottman Institute
What people say
Absolutely the best
Helped us work through problems
Easy to talk to
Transformed our communication
Renewed emotional connection
Services
Couples Counseling
Our Gottman Method couples counseling combines 40+ years of scientific research with practical tools to improve relationship dynamics. This evidence-based approach helps couples enhance communication, rebuild trust, and resolve conflicts effectively. Sessions focus on developing emotional intelligence and strengthening relational foundations through structured therapeutic interventions.
Gottman Workshops
Interactive weekend workshops teach couples research-proven relationship skills in a supportive group setting. Participants learn conflict resolution techniques, emotional connection strategies, and communication frameworks based on Dr. John Gottman's groundbreaking research on marital success factors.
Affair Recovery
Specialized counseling program addressing infidelity's impact on relationships. Our therapists guide couples through structured healing processes to rebuild trust, address underlying issues, and establish new relational patterns. The program combines emotional processing with practical tools for relationship repair.
Intensive Counseling
Multi-day immersive counseling sessions provide accelerated relationship improvement through concentrated therapeutic work. This intensive format allows deeper exploration of complex issues, with extended sessions designed to create meaningful breakthroughs in shorter timeframes.
Personality Profile
Scientific personality assessment tool helps couples understand relationship dynamics through individual temperament analysis. The profile identifies communication patterns, conflict triggers, and compatibility factors to create personalized strategies for improved relational understanding and interaction.
People
Darren Wilk
Co-Founder & Senior Consultant
Registered Clinical Counsellor with 35+ years of relationship therapy experience. Co-founder of Best Marriages and master trainer for the Gottman Institute since 2004. Specializes in couples retreats and therapist training programs.
Lawrence Stoyanowski
Co-Founder & Therapist
Marriage and family therapist since 1991, certified in Gottman Method since 2006. Co-owner of Best Marriages and former clinic director with international training experience in relationship counseling methodologies.
Sarah Coft
Couples Therapist
Registered Clinical Counsellor specializing in relationship transformation through client-centered approaches. Integrates Gottman and Emotion-Focused Therapy to help couples rebuild trust and improve communication patterns effectively.
Stefan Kurschat
Couples Therapist
Passionate about relationship restoration, Stefan offers empathetic counseling with a focus on practical solutions. Certified in Gottman Method, he helps couples reconnect through validating, non-judgmental therapeutic interactions.
Megan Foster
Couples Therapist
Registered Clinical Counsellor with expertise in reconnecting couples through Gottman and Emotion-Focused Therapy approaches. Helps partners rebuild communication and reignite connection using evidence-based therapeutic techniques.
Questions
What makes Gottman Method therapy different from other counseling approaches?
Gottman Method combines 40+ years of scientific research with practical tools validated through observational studies of thousands of couples.
How long does typical couples counseling last?
Standard sessions run 90 minutes weekly, with most couples completing 10-15 sessions. Intensive programs offer accelerated options over multiple days.
Do you offer services outside Langley?
We provide counseling in Vancouver, Victoria, Alberta, and offer online sessions for couples across Canada and internationally.
What happens during the first counseling session?
Initial sessions focus on relationship history assessment, goal setting, and introducing foundational Gottman principles for improving communication.
Are your therapists certified in specialized training programs?
All therapists hold Gottman Institute certification, with senior staff completing advanced training directly under Drs. John and Julie Gottman.
How do weekend workshops complement individual counseling?
Workshops provide foundational skills training in a group setting, while counseling offers personalized application of these principles to specific relationship challenges.
Reviews (7)
Hunter
Jan 16, 2022
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I went into this with an open mind; however, it was the worst thing I could have done. Think of a boxing ring, but instead of a referee, you have the counselor. They ask you to say what you don't like about your partner, and then ask your partner the same thing. Ring the bell. Round 1. Instead of a solution at the end of the round, you are met with a "thats all the time we have for today, Im booked up for 2 weeks. Good luck". This boxing match continues until you and your partner have said every ruthless thing you could have said to one another. The only problem is...for 5 sessions of this, you
N. Marriette
Jul 14, 2021
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We had a very poor experience with Best Marriages and would not recommend then. It felt as if the counsellor took sides and often made his personal opinion of us apparent. The approach often came across as judgmental. It was a disappointing experience, and made an already rocky relationship worse. We would not return and recommend others to look elsewhere for counselling. The admin was responsive and helpful in the booking process.
Michael Zucchelli
May 19, 2021
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It's very difficult to find a good counselor!! I have to say that I am impressed with the methods, support and results of working with Darren. Through working together and educating he showed me/us how to resolve many of the everyday problems we all go through in any of our relationships. He gave me and my children the tools to deal with and process things we didn't understand and will continue to use for the rest or our lives. I'm very thankful to have met and been able to work with Darren. I have not worked with everyone there but the people I have come in contact with at BM are top notch
Sherri Froc
Jan 15, 2021
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On the recommendation of other (still married!) couples, after trying othercounselors, we met Darren. We BOTH connected well with him. Darren took the time to figure out how wellwe understand one another, learn each of our strengths, weaknesses & what was still GOOD about our relationship & worthy ofsaving. We did the 'heavy lifting' but Darren was there to support. I'm sure it was not always an easy balance, but in crisis, it was evident that Darren valued our marital relationship while he supported us as PEOPLE individually. We have since consulted on other family dynamics & always
Leah Kwas
Jan 02, 2020
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Life changing experience :) There is Unbelievable Strength in Knowing how you are showing up in your life* In any relationship!! Highly recommended for their dedication and skill-set towards building the Best Relationships out there, of any kind :)
Dana Franklin
Jul 21, 2019
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We attended the Art & Science of Love Workshop they led and really got a lot out of it. It was based on sound science and yet touched our hearts. The application discussions with my husband were the highlight because we started talking about difficult topics with a new helpful framework. I recommend this 2-day work shop.
Gale Tracey
Jul 14, 2018
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Art & Science of Love weekend in Vancouver was AMAZING! We did this weekend in 2013 and we came back for a Refresher as life happens!! So glad we did! We resolved so ongoing issues over the weekend and are on our way again to DOING LiFE the Right Way!! Thank You Darren & Lawrence and the Best Marriages Team!!! IF you are married YOU NEED THIS COURSE! Great for engaged couples too!
