Dating Apps Are Making Us Lonelier — And What This Canadian Matchmaker Is Doing Differently

NATIONWIDE - JULY 2025 - (USAnews.com) — In a world where convenience is king, love has become one of the most elusive pursuits. Despite the widespread promise of dating apps to simplify romance, many users report feeling more disillusioned, emotionally drained, and disconnected than ever before.

That sense of frustration didn’t go unnoticed by Canadian matchmaker Katie Campbell, who left a demanding career in tech accounting to follow a more personal calling: helping people forge real, lasting relationships. From her home base in Ontario, Katie founded Soul Matchmaking—a one-on-one matchmaking practice rooted in connection, not convenience.

“It’s not that people don’t want relationships,” Katie explains. “It’s that the process has become so far removed from what love really is—human, imperfect, and deeply personal.”

Burnout, Ghosting, and the New Dating Reality

Across the dating landscape, many are expressing fatigue with the very platforms designed to help them. Katie hears similar stories from her clients—working professionals, single parents, and emotionally intelligent individuals who’ve invested time and energy into apps, only to be met with fleeting interactions and emotional wear.

The challenge, she says, isn’t a lack of effort, it’s misdirected effort: endless scrolling, small talk with incompatible matches, and uncertainty about whether shared values even exist. Katie saw an opportunity not to disrupt dating technology but to bypass it altogether.

Her approach emphasizes what algorithms can’t deliver: discretion, depth, and meaningful human understanding. Soul Matchmaking operates without public profiles or automated matches. Each introduction is intentional, private, and supported by her hands-on guidance.

“I do everything myself—from the intake interviews to the research to the final introductions,” she says. “I want to understand what my clients have lived through, how they communicate, and what kind of future they’re hoping to build.”

Katie offers three tiers of matchmaking, including an international option designed for those open to cross-border and worldwide connections which is becoming more and more popular. The process is tailored to those who don’t want to gamble with time or emotional energy. Katie handles the screening so clients can focus on the human part of the experience.

Real People, Real Relationships

What defines Katie’s work isn’t just her matchmaking process, it’s her empathy. As a mother of three, she understands the nuance of balancing family, career, and the vulnerability of searching for connection. Her clients aren’t seeking perfection—they’re seeking authenticity. And that’s precisely who she works with.

“I’m not here to sell a fantasy,” she says. “But I do commit to only introducing you to people who align with your values and goals. That alignment can save months, and sometimes years of emotional effort.”

Her clients span a wide spectrum, from individuals in their thirties starting fresh to professionals in their fifties seeking deeper companionship. What unites them is a shared desire to date more intentionally and to connect beyond surface-level traits.

As more people question the effectiveness of digital-first dating, Soul Matchmaking represents a countercurrent. Rather than gamifying love, Katie’s model prioritizes slowness, honesty, and compatibility.

“There’s a cultural shift underway,” she reflects. “People are looking for more substance in their relationships, their friendships, and even how they spend their time. Soul Matchmaking is part of that larger movement. It’s about expanding your life with someone, not just finding someone.”

The Case for a Different Kind of Dating

For those who feel that modern dating has become more taxing than rewarding, Katie Campbell offers an alternative—a quieter, more considered path toward meaningful partnership.

Soul Matchmaking is designed for individuals who are serious about connection and ready to move away from the noise of swiping culture. Rather than offering fast matches or instant chemistry, it supports a gradual, thoughtful process rooted in shared values and personal growth.

Visit soulmatchmaking.ca to learn more, or connect with Katie directly on Instagram @soul_matchmaking or LinkedIn.