Dr. Arias-Valenzuela is a registered psychologist in the province of Ontario (C. Psych.). She is also a certified clinician in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) and a Qualified Instructor in Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training (MB-EAT-QI).

Dr. Arias-Valenzuela holds a bachelor degree specialized with honours in Psychology from the University of Ottawa and a doctoral degree in Psychology (Psy.D./Ph.D.) from the Université du Québec à Montréal.

She works primarily with clients struggling with Eating Disorders and Body-Image concerns, as well as with Perinatal Mental-Health difficulties. She also has experience working with people who struggle with anxiety disorders, depression, trauma-related disorders, self-esteem as well as relational difficulties.

Dr. Arias-Valenzuela also provides clinical supervision to practicum students and Registered Psychotherapists working at Uprise Psychology & Wellness.

Dr. Arias-Valenzuela is a registered psychologist in the province of Ontario (C. Psych.). She is ... Read More

Mackenzie is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) (License # 11506), working towards completing her Master’s in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. She has experience working with individuals struggling with anxiety, disordered eating, depression, sleep disturbances and trauma-related concerns.

Approach and Values:

Mackenzie takes a collaborative, client-centred approach to therapy. Her goal as a therapist is to provide clients with a safe, non-judgemental space to process their experiences. She assists clients in understanding their patterns of behaviour and gaining an appreciation for why certain behaviours or emotions exist. By understanding the roots of our concerns, we can enact meaningful change to help us progress towards a more fulfilling life.

Mackenzie is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) (License # 11506), working towards complet... Read More

I am a Registered Psychotherapist with a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Ottawa. I provide individual psychotherapy to adolescents (16+) and adults.

People with whom I work:

At this time, I help individuals ages 16+ with concerns such as anxiety, depression, chronic stress, grief, relationship issues, low self-esteem, procrastination, perfectionism (high performers, students, etc) and difficulties adjusting to life transitions. I also work with individuals who have family members who have experienced trauma, mental health concerns, or addiction.

I am a Registered Psychotherapist with a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from the Unive... Read More

I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)(License #13584) and hold a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Ottawa as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health and Psychology from the University of Waterloo.

I have experience working with adolescents and adults experiencing depression, anxiety, disordered eating and body image concerns, perfectionism and low self-esteem, stress and burnout, academic and productivity, relationship issues, and cross-cultural adjustment.

My goal in therapy is to hold space for client’s stories, struggles, and emotions with empathy and understanding using a biopsychosocial and compassionate model of care. I also strive to provide clients with a safe space by practicing from a social justice and trauma-informed lens.

My therapeutic style is client-centered where I collaborate with clients to process their present and past trauma, cultivate inner resources, and make positive changes. By walking alongside the client’s journey, I strive to support them to live a more fulfilling life.

I draw from evidence-based therapy approaches such as ACT, CFT, MSC, CBT, and DBT in order to tailor therapy according to the client’s needs.

I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)(License #13584) and hold a Master’s degree in Coun... Read More

PhD candidate in psychology at the University of Quebec, intern in psychology under the supervision of Dr. Melisa Arias-Valenzuela, C.Psych..

I combine my research expertise and in clinical therapy to develop intervention guides on motivational issues that we find in the population with the aim of facilitating support and engagement within the community. I provide assessment and psychotherapy in French and English and specialize in the treatment of anxiety disorders, mood disorders, motivational, existential and relational issues. I mainly do individual psychotherapy with adult and adolescent clients (age 13-65), all in an empathetic and caring environment.

My approach & Values: I work in an integrative, collaborative, and client-centred approach, including elements of the cognitive-behavioral therapy and other therapeutic approaches based on scientific data. My therapeutic style is formed in an empathetic, safe, and caring environment, adapted to individual needs. I support the client in moving towards their therapeutic goals, with the aim of improving their well-being.

PhD candidate in psychology at the University of Quebec, intern in psychology under the supervisi... Read More

Registered Psychotherapist with College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario

Education: Master of Education in Counselling and Psychotherapy Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE); Master of Arts in Women’s Studies and Feminist Research, University of Western Ontario; Honours Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies and Peace Studies, McMaster University

Fluent in English, Russian, Hebrew

My education, training, and experience are very much in line with Third Wave Process Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness and Compassion-Focused Therapies.

Particularly, I am well-versed and experienced in ACT, MBCT, MSC, DBT, and CBT.

I am qualified to provide individual psychotherapy to adults and have a wealth of experience supporting individuals facing mood disorders, stress, burnout, trauma, interpersonal and relationship issues, and body image concerns, among other difficulties.

Modalities and presenting problems aside, I am a person-centred, humanistic, anti-oppressive therapist. Empathy and a strong alliance are essential to all therapeutic work, especially when working with pervasive effects of trauma and attachment trauma. I aim to understand the impact of structural inequalities on a person’s wellbeing as part of empowering them toward growth and healing. I have experience working with members of LGBTQQAI2S+ community, polyamorous/non-monogamous clients, and other marginalized groups.

Registered Psychotherapist with College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario Education: Ma... Read More

Kayla is a Registered Psychotherapist (License # 11395), who works primarily with people struggling with depression, anxiety, disordered eating and body image concerns, grief and loss, stress and burnout, as well as self-esteem and relationship issues.

Kayla holds a bachelor degree specialized with honours in English literature from the University of Ottawa and completed her masters degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Ottawa. Her master’s thesis focused on exploring how participants experience the 6-week Short Course in Mindful Self-Compassion (SC-MSC). More precisely, she focuses on the perceived benefits, challenges, changes in the way one copes to stress, and overall impressions from the course.

Kayla has completed training in evidence-based approaches, namely, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), as well as Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).

Kayla’s therapeutic approach is warm, non-judgmental, collaborative, trauma informed, as well as evidence based. Working with her clients, she uses a compassionate and mindfulness-based perspective to help them attain experiential integration and move towards living a meaningful life.

She offers services in English and French.

Kayla is a Registered Psychotherapist (License # 11395), who works primarily with people struggli... Read More

My Approach & Values

My therapeutic approach is genuine, non-judging, collaborative, compassionate, as well as evidence-based. I use an integrated approach with my clients, combining the key concepts of humanistic therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, as well as elements of mindfulness and ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy).

Working with my clients, I use psychological interventions backed by the scientific literature to help people better understand the roots of their concerns, make meaningful changes to their lives, ease their suffering, and enhance their quality of life. I am particularly appreciated by clients for my capacity to effectively grasp their presenting problem, my empathy, calm, professionalism as well as my sense of rigor.

My training

Throughout my doctoral studies, I trained in various clinical settings including a university clinic, public community clinics, private clinics, and a hospital in the psycho-oncology unit.

Throughout my involvement in the Center for the Study of Sleep Disorders (CETS) at Université Laval, I have gained much experience in offering cognitive-behavior therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) individually or in-group formats.

I have received training in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), schema therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), as well as humanistic and existential approaches.

My Approach & Values My therapeutic approach is genuine, non-judging, collaborative, compass... Read More

I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Registration # 11661) and hold a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Ottawa as well as a Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University. I have experience working with adolescents and adults dealing with anxiety, depression, work-place stress, low self-esteem, relationship issues and difficulties adjusting to life transitions.

My Approach & Values: My aim is to work together to address the areas of concern that are important to you by creating an atmosphere where you feel heard and know that it is safe to be open and honest. I seek not to solve your problems, but to assist you in developing the skills that will help you to overcome them. My approach is collaborative, evidence-based, culturally sensitive and founded on mutual respect and a strong therapeutic alliance.

I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Registration # 11661) and hold a Master’s Degree in Counsellin... Read More