Residents of Saskatoon now have access to a unique personal development service with the recent opening of Live Breathe Connect Relationship Coaching in the city's downtown core. Founded by Dr. Marlena Guzowski, who holds a doctorate in education, the practice aims to help individuals navigate their personal and social lives more effectively.
Operating since summer 2025, Dr. Guzowski works primarily in one-on-one sessions with diverse clients including singles, married individuals, corporate clients, and those seeking to enhance their general social or dating capabilities. She brings specialized experience in assisting people on the autism spectrum to develop and strengthen their social interaction skills.
What Makes Coaching Different from Therapy?
According to Dr. Guzowski, relationship coaching differs significantly from traditional therapy approaches. "With therapy you look quite a bit for the reasons for your behaviour. What are the reasons for the way you think and the way you act? Looking at your past and analyzing all that," she explains.
"But with coaching, we look at where you're at today and how you are going to get to the next step. With coaching I feel like I have a lot more freedom to help make future plans and just see where do people want to be at. This is what I'm most interested in," Dr. Guzowski emphasizes, highlighting the forward-looking nature of her coaching methodology.
Educational Background and Specialized Services
Dr. Guzowski's educational journey began as a teacher in her twenties. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree and advanced qualifications including both a Master's and Doctorate in Education, with both graduate degrees focusing specifically on adult education.
While her practice is called relationship coaching, she clarifies an important distinction: "I don't work with couples. In my experience I found that couples, if they're at that stage they honestly need to go into therapy, in my opinion. I work with singles only or people within a couple but who want to work on themselves and then take that back to the couple."
Her services specifically target several key areas:
- Post-divorce adjustment and dating skills development
- Support for widowed individuals re-entering the social scene
- Assistance for those struggling with dating challenges
- Corporate clients seeking improved social dynamics
- General social skills enhancement
Dr. Guzowski notes that many people face particular challenges when re-entering the dating world after long-term relationships. "The truth is, if you've been married since you've been in your early twenties and then you're divorced in your forties, your dating skills are really at the level when you got married, which is 20 years ago," she observes.
Bringing Personal and Professional Experience Together
Beyond her academic credentials, Dr. Guzowski brings personal experience to her practice, drawing from what she describes as "a healthy marriage for over 25 years." This combination allows her to understand what constitutes a strong, evolving relationship while helping clients identify areas for personal growth.
"I can also see where those who are dating can change and grow in order to date more successfully," she adds, underscoring the practical application of her dual expertise in both education and long-term relationship success.
The opening of Live Breathe Connect represents another option for Saskatoon residents seeking personal development services, particularly those focused on building stronger social connections and navigating the complexities of modern relationships through evidence-based coaching methods.
