colleen marcoux

milelong bio

“Each day, I feel honoured to support couples as they navigate the tender, complex, and deeply meaningful work of building a stronger relationship. With empathy as my compass and authenticity as my guiding light, I’m devoted to creating a space where partners can speak openly, feel understood, and rediscover one another.

Witnessing couples show up for their relationship continues to inspire me. Their honesty fuels my passion for this work, and their progress reaffirms my commitment to helping partners heal, reconnect, and grow together.

In every session, I pledge to listen deeply, hold each person with care, and offer tools that strengthen communication, trust, and emotional safety. Supporting couples isn’t just my profession, it is one of the greatest privileges of my life.”

- Colleen Marcoux, RCC, CCC

Credentials

  • Registered Clinical Counsellor, RCC, 23056 | BC Association of Clinical Counsellors

  • Canadian Certified Counsellor, CCC, 11246095 | Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association 

  • Master of Counselling, M.C.

  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level I

  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level II

  • 4-Day Externship in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy  | Vancouver Centre for Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)

  • 50-Hour EMDRIA Approved EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Level 1 Training | EMDR Training Associates

  • Attachment-Focused EMDR Training | National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine

Therapeutic interventions and modalities I bring into my work:

  • integrates principles of mindfulness meditation into psychotherapeutic practices.

    encourages individuals to cultivate present-moment awareness, non-judgmental observation, and acceptance of their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations.

    through mindfulness techniques such as meditation, breathwork, and body scanning, clients learn to develop a greater sense of inner calm, clarity, and emotional regulation.

    MBT aims to enhance self-awareness, reduce stress, and promote psychological well-being by fostering a compassionate and non-reactive stance towards one's internal experiences.

  • focuses on identifying and building upon the inherent strengths, abilities, and resources of individuals.

    emphasizes shifting the therapeutic focus from pathology and deficits to resilience and capabilities.

    strengths are recognized, validated, and harnessed to promote empowerment, personal growth, and the achievement of meaningful goals.

    This approach fosters a positive and hopeful outlook, empowering individuals to overcome challenges and thrive in their lives.

  • focused on helping couples strengthen their relationships and resolve conflicts effectively.

    involves assessment tools to identify relationship dynamics, communication patterns, and areas of strength and growth.

    couples learn practical skills to enhance communication, build trust, and deepen emotional connection.

    aims to foster understanding, empathy, and mutual respect, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and resilient partnership.

  • focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

    aims to help individuals recognize and challenge negative thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to emotional distress or problematic behaviors.

    teaches practical skills and techniques to modify unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, leading to improved emotional well-being and coping strategies for managing various mental health concerns.

  • focuses on accepting what is beyond one's control and committing to actions that enrich one's life. 

    emphasizes mindfulness, acceptance of uncomfortable thoughts and emotions, and the pursuit of meaningful goals aligned with one's values. 

    encourages you to clarify your values, develop psychological flexibility, and take committed action toward living a valued life, even in the presence of difficult experiences.

    promote psychological well-being by fostering acceptance, present moment awareness, and effective behavior change.

  • emphasizes the individual's unique subjective experiences and their social context.

    focuses on understanding how individuals perceive and interpret their world, aiming to uncover the underlying beliefs and motivations that influence behavior.

    emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility, social interest, and striving for self-improvement.

    often involves exploring early childhood experiences, family dynamics, and the individual's sense of belonging and purpose in order to promote self-awareness, insight, and positive change

  • rooted in the principles of compassion, mindfulness, and neuroscience.

    aims to help individuals cultivate self-compassion and alleviate emotional distress by developing a deeper understanding of the origins of suffering and learning to respond to oneself with kindness and understanding.

    using various techniques such as compassionate imagery, mindfulness exercises, and compassionate mind training, clients learn to build a compassionate relationship with themselves, fostering emotional healing and resilience.

  • emphasizes an individual's capacity for self-awareness, self-actualization, and personal growth.

    focuses on the whole person, considering their unique experiences, values, and potential.

    humanistic therapists provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment where clients are encouraged to explore their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, facilitating a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships.

    aims to empower clients to make positive choices, fulfill their potential, and live authentically aligned with their values and aspirations.

  • emphasizes the integration of acceptance and change strategies to help individuals regulate their emotions, tolerate distress, improve interpersonal relationships, and develop mindfulness skills.

    combines individual therapy sessions with skills training groups, where clients learn practical techniques for emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and mindfulness.

    The ultimate goal is to help individuals create a life worth living by balancing acceptance and change.

  • focuses on the here and now and encourages clients to take personal responsibility for their actions and choices.

    emphasizes identifying and meeting one's needs through realistic goal-setting and effective problem-solving.

    evaluate current behaviors and choices in relation to their goals, facilitating insight, accountability, and positive change.

    emphasizes personal accountability, choice, and empowerment in creating a fulfilling life.

  • emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness within the therapeutic relationship.

    therapist provides a supportive and non-judgmental environment where clients feel accepted and understood.

    clients are encouraged to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences at their own pace, leading to greater self-awareness, self-acceptance, and personal growth.

    focus is on the client's subjective experience and their innate capacity for self-direction and healing.

  • focuses on enhancing well-being and fostering strengths, rather than solely addressing pathology.

    emphasizes the cultivation of positive emotions, engagement in meaningful activities, development of personal strengths, fostering positive relationships, and finding purpose and meaning in life.

    by promoting resilience, optimism, and a focus on one's strengths and potential, positive psychology therapy aims to improve overall psychological functioning and quality of life.

  • a brief and goal-oriented approach to psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and building on clients' strengths and resources to create positive change.

    emphasizes exploring solutions rather than dwelling on problems, and clients are encouraged to envision a future where their goals are achieved.

    therapists assist clients in generating specific and achievable goals, as well as identifying and amplifying their existing skills and successes.

    often brief and can lead to rapid improvements by focusing on practical strategies for change.

  • highlights the importance of early relationships and their impact on psychological development.

    work with clients to explore their patterns of attachment and how these patterns influence current relationships and emotional well-being.

    focus is on creating a secure therapeutic relationship to address attachment issues, heal relational wounds, and foster healthier connections with oneself and others.

    often involves exploring past experiences, identifying attachment styles, and developing strategies to promote secure attachment and emotional resilience.

  • focuses on the understanding and regulation of emotions to promote psychological healing and relational growth.

    emphasizes the importance of emotional experiences in shaping individuals' thoughts, behaviors, and relationships.

    through exploration and processing of emotions in therapy sessions, clients learn to identify, express, and regulate their feelings, leading to greater self-awareness, emotional resilience, and improved interpersonal connections.

    particularly effective in addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship difficulties by helping clients develop more adaptive ways of relating to their emotions.

  • focuses on identifying and challenging irrational beliefs and thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and maladaptive behaviors.

    involves teaching clients to recognize and dispute irrational beliefs, replacing them with more rational and adaptive alternatives.

    through cognitive restructuring and behavioral techniques, clients learn to develop healthier perspectives, coping strategies, and emotional resilience, leading to improved psychological well-being and problem-solving skills.

    emphasizes personal responsibility and self-empowerment in creating positive change.

  • focuses on the stories individuals construct about their lives.

    explore and deconstruct dominant narratives that may be limiting or oppressive, and to co-create alternative narratives that empower and promote positive change.

    through externalizing problems and re-authoring personal narratives, clients gain a sense of agency, resilience, and meaning, enabling them to navigate challenges and construct more preferred identities and futures.

  • views individuals within the context of their family dynamics and interactions.

    emphasizes understanding how patterns of communication, roles, and relationships within the family system contribute to individual behavior and emotional well-being.

    work to identify and address dysfunctional patterns, improve communication, and promote healthier relationships.

    goal is to create positive change by shifting the family system towards greater cohesion, flexibility, and resilience.

  • conceptualizes the mind as composed of different "parts" or sub-personalities, each with its own unique characteristics and functions.

    work to understand and harmonize these internal parts to promote inner balance and healing.

    through guided exploration and dialogue, clients learn to recognize and communicate with their internal parts, facilitating self-discovery, integration, and transformation.

    goal is to cultivate self-compassion, resilience, and authenticity by fostering a harmonious relationship among the various aspects of the self.

colleen works with clients with a broad range of goals and concerns, including:

  • Premarital counselling, couples & marriage counselling

  • Improving communication & repairing relationships

  • Relationship health and intimacy, loneliness, and depression

  • Goal setting, purpose, life transitions, low mood, and burnout

  • Self-esteem, self-criticism, self-worth, and self-compassion

  • Divorce, separation, and co-parenting counselling

  • Career dissatisfaction, work-related pressures, work and life balance, personal development and growth, and general stress

  • Uncertainty in life, feeling unclear about future decisions, aging, and coping with changes in physical health

  • Intergenerational trauma, family-related stress, and parenting concerns

  • Non-conventional relationships, open relationship dynamics, and polyamory navigation

when I’m not in the office

married by marcoux

When I'm not in the counselling office, I have the joy of officiating weddings across Alberta and British Columbia. Whether it's an intimate ceremony at Queen Elizabeth Park or a meaningful gathering on a family farm, I love helping couples celebrate their commitment in a way that feels true to them. It is such a gift to witness love in all its forms, both inside and outside the therapy room.

  • We couldn’t have imagined a better person to marry us. Colleen made the whole ceremony feel so personal, relaxed, and us. There were a few happy tears and plenty of laughs which was exactly what we wanted. She found the perfect balance between heartfelt and funny, and it honestly felt like a close friend was marrying us.

    D&S

  • From the first call, we knew Colleen was the one. She's super warm and genuine. The ceremony was perfectly balanced with emotion and humour in the best way. So many of our guests said it was one of the best ceremonies they’ve seen!

    L&M

  • Our ceremony was everything we wanted. We were hoping for relaxed, personal, and full of laughs. Colleen made it all feel so natural and fun. She told our story perfectly and really set the tone for the rest of the day. Couldn’t recommend more!

    B&T

  • Our guests couldn’t stop talking about how personal and genuine it felt. Colleen brought so much warmth and calm to our day, we honestly couldn’t have asked for a better officiant

    J&D

  • We were so lucky to have Colleen as our wedding officiant. The ceremony felt totally true to who we are, and everyone loved it. It felt so natural and genuine, not at all like a “cookie cutter” ceremony. Highly recommend!

    A&H

Being Married by Marcoux isn’t just about saying “I do.”

It’s about creating a ceremony that captures your story: where you’ve been, who you are, and what you’re building together.

Whether you envision something lighthearted and modern or deeply sentimental and traditional, every moment is crafted with warmth, intention, and care.

Whether it’s just the two of you on a mountaintop or surrounded by your favourite people, my goal is for you to feel grounded, present, and completely yourselves as you share your vows and step into this new chapter together.

My approach is collaborative: we’ll craft a ceremony that honours your journey and celebrates the kind of marriage you want to build.

You bring the love story, I’ll bring the words that make it unforgettable.


If you feel like I might be a great fit,

Let's Chat

“connection deepens when couples communicate openly, listen without judgement, and choose to understand each other every day.

Premarital counselling is a wonderful opportunity to set a strong foundation for your marriage. Let’s clarify expectations, enhance communication, and celebrate the love that brought you together.”

Colleen Marcoux

two hearts choosing each other,

today, tomorrow, & forever.

Married By Marcoux

meets

Marcoux & Co. counselling

Marriage and relationships are a journey, and even the strongest couples benefit from guidance, reflection, and intentional growth. Through premarital or couples counselling, I help partners explore their values, improve communication, and build a foundation for a lasting, connected relationship. Whether you’re preparing for marriage or simply want to strengthen your bond, counselling is an opportunity to slow down, understand each other more deeply, and step into your partnership with clarity and confidence.

let’s talk relationship coaching

Designed for you

THE FINISHING TOUCHES


Perfect for engaged, newly married, or long-term couples who want to deepen connection, improve communication, and strengthen their foundation before (or after) saying “I do.”

In each session, we’ll explore your strengths as a couple, practice evidence-based communication tools, and create shared understanding around key topics like finances, family, intimacy, and long-term goals.
My approach draws on Gottman Method principles and Emotion-Focused Therapy techniques to help you feel heard, understood, and supported.

Sessions are 75 minutes in-length. Sessions are offered both virtually and in person in Vancouver, British Columbia.

With availability seven days a week, we can find a time that works perfectly for you.

C&D Rentals

Your ceremony should feel as beautiful as it is meaningful.

As a Married By Marcoux couple, enjoy exclusive pricing on all rentals to help bring your ceremony vision to life.

the c&D Rental Collection:

  • We have a total of 8 pillars available to rent

    2 are 42” tall x 12” deep x 12” wide

    2 are 30” tall x 12” deep x 12” wide

    4 are 18” tall x 12” deep x 12” wide

    The damage deposit for each pillar is $100.00

    Married By Marcoux couples rental pricing is $10.00/pillar

  • Roughly 5 feet (60 inches) wide and 7 feet 5 inches (89 inches) tall

    $500.00 Damage Deposit

    Married By Marcoux couples rental pricing is $100.00

    It is also available for purchase for $1400.00

  • Roughly 7 feet 10 inches (94 inches) tall and 7 feet 10 inches (94 inches) wide

    $500.00 Damage Deposit

    Married By Marcoux couples rental pricing is $300.00

  • 21 Gold Acrylic Frames with Stands. Simple and versatile gold acrylic frames, perfect for table numbers, signage, or small photos. These lightweight frames come with stands for easy display and add a touch of elegance without breaking the budget.

    Holds 4x6 Photos

    $100 Damage Deposit

    Married By Marcoux couples rental pricing is $25.00

  • A charming collection of vintage-looking gold frames, perfect for displaying photos, table numbers, or personal touches. Ideal for your In Loving Memory table, Love Stories Before Us table, or adding elegance to your table settings and signage.

View Photos Here