Certified Counsellor Helping Couples Rebuild Trust and Connection – Interview with Cece Warren

Cece Warren, a Certified Counsellor and Founder of The Relationship Wellness Clinic, brings a refreshing, evidence-based approach to relationship therapy. Specializing in couples therapy, Cece emphasizes connection, honesty, and accountability as the pillars of lasting love. In this exclusive interview, Cece opens up about her personal journey, the inspiration behind her clinic, and the tools she uses to help individuals and couples overcome emotional obstacles and build stronger, more resilient relationships.

Cece Warren, Founder and CEO

Who is Cece Warren?

I’m Cece, a Certified Counsellor, Registered Marriage and Family Therapist, Podcaster, Author, Speaker, and the Founder and CEO of The Relationship Wellness Clinic, based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. At the heart of my work is a belief that connection is absolutely essential to a healthy life. It is through connection that we grow and thrive as individuals. Our connections are what sustain us; we depend on connections for love and safety, and through this, we can explore the world and achieve limitless dreams. I truly believe that a healthy relationship does not include the absence of conflict but rather the gateway to intimacy and true connection when we learn to dialogue with our partner and feel heard and understood. I specialize in working with couples, and when couples are in my office, their relationship is my client, not the individuals themselves.

Some fun facts about me: I love blasting 70s and 80s music while I work out, unwinding with comedy shows (Brooklyn Nine-Nine is my guilty comfort), and spending time with my beautiful family and super chill doggy. I’m a mix of humour, transparency, and empathy, and am often referred to as compassionately blunt. Whether I’m in session or making dinner, you’ll usually catch me being honest, direct, and a little funny.

Something interesting about me? I am a former emotional tornado. I used to get really emotionally flooded and behave in emotionally unsafe ways in relationships. It’s not something I am proud of, but it’s something I worked hard to change for a family life that is now calm, grounded, and safe. I’m currently writing a book on how to shift reactive, hurtful, and verbally abusive behaviour. Yes, even therapists can be naturally reactive and hurtful, and I want to show people that change is absolutely possible. If I can do it, you can do it.

What inspired you to start The Relationship Wellness Clinic?

I started The Relationship Wellness Clinic because I truly believe connection is the gateway to a healthy life. I have been through my share of attachment-related, unhealthy relationship patterns, some of which were mine to own. I began to see, through personal and professional work, that all humans want is love and connection. Yet, we have so many past wounds and hurts that keep us from vulnerably showing our true selves. I kept seeing how much people wanted deeper, healthier connections, but felt lost in how to actually build them. They struggled to own their part, getting caught up in immature dynamics that pulled them farther away from the true connection they were seeking. I knew that they could become closer, given the right tools, kindness, boundaries, and safety.

I think connection has hit a major decline over the years, and we need it more now than ever. Therapy can be really intimidating to start, but we all want to be better, to do better, and to love better. I wanted to create a space where clients could grow through compassionate, tough love, with therapists who are skilled and passionate in areas of mental health that they themselves have grown through. A safe, trusting relationship with the therapist is the key ingredient for change to occur. It’s a clinic built on the idea that connection doesn’t just survive hard times; those times are actually where true connection is forged, and relationships of all sorts are fostered with support that is the best fit for the individual, couple, or family.

What makes a relationship truly healthy and lasting in today’s world?

Honestly? It’s the combination of honesty, accountability, and playfulness. We live in a time where distractions, stress, and unrealistic expectations can eat away at connection. But when people learn how to communicate openly and transparently, repair conflicts instead of avoiding them, set loving, healthy boundaries, and still laugh and create fun together, those are the connections that last. It’s less about perfection and more about resilience and intentional connection.

What makes your approach different from other counselling clinics in Calgary?

We’re not your stuffy therapy office. Our team’s approaches are evidence-based. I am a scientist at heart, and I draw from Gottman, Sue Johnson, IFS, Terry Real, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, and other tried-and-true methods. Our team is refreshingly real. We don’t sugar-coat; we don’t sit back silently while you figure it out, and we won’t give you vague advice that leaves you more confused. Our team combines science with humor, honesty, and practical tools you can use at home the same day. The Relationship Wellness Clinic is built to feel supportive but also forward-moving. It is built on real therapists who specialize in the areas we do because we have been through the tough stuff. Our goal is for you to be able to be your authentic self when you enter our space because we sure are.

When should someone consider seeing a relationship therapist?

One of the biggest misunderstandings about couples therapy is that it’s only for when everything feels like it’s falling apart. To me, it’s so much more than that. Relationships are living, breathing things, and they need care just like we do. We don’t wait until our health completely gives out before going to the doctor. We don’t wait until the car stops running to get an oil change. In the same way, our relationships deserve that same kind of ongoing care.

I often think of therapy as a check-up, a safe space to pause, nurture the connection you already have, and make sure little things don’t quietly grow into painful things. When the partnership is healthy and supported, the whole family feels more stable, loved, and secure.

I also know that couples therapy has a reputation that can make people feel hesitant, like it means something is “wrong.” But with the right therapeutic fit, it’s not about blame, sides, or fixing anyone. It’s about creating space where both voices matter, where both realities are honored, where disconnecting patterns are compassionately pointed out, and where the relationship itself gets the love and support it deserves.

To me, relationship therapy isn’t a sign that you are doing something wrong; it’s a sign that you care enough about each other to invest in your connection, protect it, and help it grow.

How do you help individuals who feel emotionally stuck or overwhelmed?

First, by helping them slow down. Slowing down is very underrated in our society. A lot of what I do in both couples and individual therapy is help people slow down, and to be honest, that is what is needed to create safety. We need to begin to understand what’s happening inside our bodies and our minds because most people think they’re “just anxious” or “just angry,” but there’s always more depth. Humans are wonderfully imperfect and complex. We need a compassionate understanding of the inner workings of our intricate lives. Our team uses strategies that build emotional regulation, self-awareness, and self-compassion. Then, we give people practical, transparent, and blunt step-by-step tools to respond differently instead of staying stuck in the same cycles. Our goal is to help people see that “overwhelmed” isn’t who they are, it’s just where they are, and it’s absolutely possible to move through it.

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