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M.A. Registered Pychotherapist (Qualifying)
Individual & Couples Therapist Ontario
Virtual Therapy
Virtual
Mon/Wed/Fri 9:00 -7:00 pm Sat 8:00-1:00 pm
Spanish - English
CARING + INTENTIONAL + ENTREPRENEUR
Hi,
I am Michel
(she/her)
Have you ever felt trapped in a cycle of overthinking, wondering how to move forward when every path feels overwhelming?
I have. After navigating immigration and the weight of cultural expectations, the pressure to “have it all together” often means you stop asking what you need, focusing only on what you must achieve. I have lived through the heartbreak of missing family milestones, the intense exhaustion of trying to find un sentido de pertenencia in a completely new environment, and the invisible pressure to succeed without losing who I am.
As a client in therapy myself, I’ve learned the power of asking kinder, more honest questions that let us rewrite our stories through self-love, growing from mistakes, healing old wounds, and knowing when to lean on others. Clinically, I help couples break high-conflict cycles and rebuild connection, and I support individuals healing after painful breakups.
My leadership experience as a Director of an international non-profit and CEO of my own private school guides how I support high achievers and students facing burnout, isolation, and intense pressure. Across settings, my aim is the same: to help you move beyond “managing” stress and build a steady foundation of mental wellness, clarity, boundaries, and a sense of home within yourself.
In the busyness of day-to-day life, this is a dedicated space to slow down, take a breath, and be heard. Aquí no tienes que explicarlo todo para ser comprendido. We will move beyond just “managing” stress, guiding you toward clarity, self-love, and a balanced life.
How I Work
As a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), I specialize in guiding individuals and couples navigate their most complex personal and relational challenges. My practice combines clinical experience and a culturally sensitive perspective with proven therapeutic frameworks. Specifically, I draw from the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help you uncover and change the negative cycles affecting your life.
Client Focus:
- Youth (16+)
- Couples
- Adults
Areas Of Focus:
Trauma & Intergenerational Cycles: Exploring distressing memories and unprocessed trauma without shame.
Relationship Therapy: Rebuilding intimacy, improving communication, and overcoming “roommate syndrome”.
Communication Breakdowns & High-Conflict Cycles: Moving couples from “gridlock” to productive dialogue.
Anxiety, Burnout & Sleep: Navigating daily stress, exhaustion, and the profound identity shifts of immigration.
Isolation & Social Anxiety: Moving past loneliness and building meaningful social connections.
Boundaries & Self-Esteem: Breaking stuck habits, building deep self-trust, and improving body image.
Career Transitions & Work Stress: Navigating changes in professional life and financial stress within relationships.
Personal Growth & Resilience: Building the “life skills” needed for long-term emotional and professional mastery.
Immigration, Homesickness, & Acculturation Stress: Supporting the emotional and practical journey of moving to a new country and overcoming language barriers.
What to Expect in our session:
Stepping into a session with me feels less like a formal interrogation and much more like a focused, interactive conversation. Our time together is highly collaborative, you bring the expertise of your own life, and I bring the clinical tools. We balance deep listening with practical, real-time strategies so you never leave a session wondering what the point of it was.
Creating a truly safe space matters deeply to me because real growth only happens when you don’t feel the need to perform. For me, non-judgmental care isn’t a passive stance; it means I actively protect your pace, honor your unique culture and personal history, and meet your vulnerabilities with straightforward honesty and absolute respect.
INTEGRATIVE + EXPERIENTIAL + RELATIONAL
My Approach
Integrative
Each person brings a unique experience, which is why I take a flexible and personalized approach to therapy. I draw from evidence-based modalities, including experiential, humanistic, and relational therapies, cognitive and behavioral approaches, and postmodern perspectives.
Experiential
Our work goes beyond conversation. Together, we explore your emotions as they arise in session, helping you identify, express, and work through them in meaningful ways. This allows for deeper understanding, new insights, and more intentional responses in your relationships and daily life.
Relational
Healing happens in connection. I view the therapeutic relationship as a collaborative partnership and a safe space to explore how you connect with yourself and others. By looking at how patterns show up between us in the room, we can better understand your interpersonal dynamics, heal relational wounds, and build deeper, more fulfilling connections in your outside life.
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
We explore how earlier experiences have influenced your emotional world and ways of relating. This process helps you connect more deeply with your feelings, understand what’s happening beneath the surface, and develop more meaningful and authentic ways of engaging with yourself and others.
Behavioural
Alongside emotional work, we look at how your thoughts, emotions, and actions interact. Using practical strategies, we build awareness of your mind-body experience and support more balanced, intentional responses in daily life.
Couples Approaches
Relationships thrive on strong foundations. When working with couples, I integrate the Gottman Method to help partners disarm conflicting verbal communication, increase intimacy, respect, and affection, and remove feelings of stagnancy. Together, we map out your relationship dynamics, manage conflict constructively, and rebuild shared meaning so you can navigate life’s transitions as a unified team.
Trauma-Informed
Our work moves at a pace that feels comfortable for you, with regular check-ins and space for your feedback. We pay close attention to how past experiences may shape your nervous system, sense of identity, and relationships, while exploring new ways of responding with care, safety, and self-understanding.
Education & Qualifications
Education
MA in Psychopedagogy and Neurolearning Specialization.
Rafael Landívar University, Guatemala, City.
BA in Clinical psychology and Social Counselor
Panamericana University, Guatemala, City.
Technical -University Family and Social Counsel
Panamericana University, Guatemala, City.
Certification in Preventive Psychological Intervention
Panamericana University, Guatemala, City.
Training
Gottman Method of Couples Therapy- Level 1, USA
Gottman Method of Couples Therapy- Level 2, USA
The foundation of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, CLI College, Toronto
Suicide Prevention Training, Toronto
Positive Spaces Initiative, Ontario
Addiction, Intensive training, Toronto
Integrative DBT Certification, USA
2-Day EMDR Seminar: Treatment for Trauma, USA
2-Day Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD: Move Clients from Fear to Freedom with Safe for Deeper Healing Evidence-Based Trauma Treatment, USA
IFS Therapy Tools for Trauma, USA
Professional Memberships
College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario # 20838
Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals # 8086-G
Personal Highlights
When I am not collaborating with clients, you can usually find me doing my best to celebrate the good moments when they arrive and handle the unexpected challenges as they come. I recharge and stay grounded by:
Finding joy in the things, like a great cup of coffee, good music, and meaningful conversations with the people I love.
Staying active through working out and dancing, while equally appreciating the balance of a good nap and the beauty of silence.
Bringing humor and a good laugh into my daily life, as keeping a sense of humor is absolutely essential to me.
Embracing my love for learning by constantly reading and writing as a central part of my personal growth.
Exploring new cultures and places, a lifelong curiosity that has already led me to travel to over 21 countries.
Giving back to the community, which matters to me deeply; I regularly dedicate time to supporting and connecting with children in orphanages.
Outside of Session
Savoring the good days, managing the unexpected.
Let’s Connect
Book a free 20-minute consultation to share what you’re looking for, ask any questions about my approach, and let´s explore how we can navigate your path forward together.
You can email me at : michel@canadianpsychotherapycentre.com
Get in touch – I’d love to hear your story.
You can email me at : michel@canadian psychotherapyce ntre.com
Get in touch – I’d love to hear your story.
