Katarina Guillen-Spencer

My goal is to help you find workable solutions to challenges in your life, and to develop new ways of relating to yourself and others. My approach is grounded in connecting with and understanding why the strategies you are currently using are there and what their purpose and function is. I focus on understanding the self-protective nature or intention of the existing approaches you use, and promoting self-compassionate understanding of their origins. Building on your existing strengths and knowledge of yourself throughout this process, we can then shift to learning new strategies aimed at getting you closer to where you’d like to be and living a life more aligned with your values and needs.

My goal is to guide a process of self-exploration and experimentation with ways of thinking, communicating, emotional processing, and taking action that are informed by the difference between where you are now and where you’d like to be. At all times, my therapeutic approach is values and strengths based, focused on practicing new strategies, and promoting your own self-knowledge and autonomy in the change process.

Our lived experiences shape us into who we are today and impact the way we interact with ourselves and within our relationships. I believe understanding our past, as well as how it is influencing our present, can support desired change and growth. I value showing up in session with openness, authenticity, and grounded in the reality of human experience. I am deeply committed to creating a supportive, compassionate, and highly collaborative environment in which you feel comfortable to experiment with new ways of being.

Whether you’re experiencing communication or relationship difficulties, anxiety, self-criticism, lack of intimacy and connection, stress related to parenting or family dynamics, or difficulties with emotional insight or expression – I’d like to support you in identifying and taking action towards what you need. I provide support for parents to respond to their kids’ behavioural or emotional challenges as well as relational strain related to parenting, for partners to improve their communication and connection or heal from strain and rupture, for families to collaborate, and for adults/teens that are self-critical, anxious, burned out, or struggling with their self-esteem or self-worth.

I am here to provide guidance and support if you would like to strengthen your relationship with yourself and others, or identify and overcome barriers that you’re encountering. Ultimately, I want to help you find and create meaningful change in your life. I welcome you to book a free consultation to explore whether I may be a good fit for you!