Kim Guigui, M.A., Psychotherapist

There is no perfect recipe to healing, and each of us needs a unique combination of ingredients. However, compassion, empathy, non-judgment, and loving-kindness are necessary to the process, and I commit to bring those qualities into our interactions. My role is to be present to your explorations, and help you identify steps you can comfortably and safely explore.

Regardless of the reason for your desire to start therapy, consent throughout is of primordial importance, and my approach is client-centered: that means I pull from an eclectic set of tools to provide a space, pace, and environment that works for you. In addition to more traditional talk therapy, I often draw from cognitive behavioral models, mindfulness, guided imagery, creative expression and art therapy, and some body-oriented techniques.

A Little Background:

I am a registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern (MFC 88368) and Professional Clinical Counselor Registered Intern (IMF 2258) practicing under the supervision of Jonathan Bartlett, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFC 48223).

As a multilingual, transnational, and multicultural person who embodies social justice ideals, an appreciation for diversity is a key motivator to my understanding the unique strengths of individuals, couples, and families. I therefore seek to use my clinical skills, cultural humility, passion, and love for humanity to help effect positive social change in whichever way I can, and deeply believe that working from within leads to positive outward change.

I earned my B.S. from the University of Toronto, where I pursued a double major in Biology and Forensic Science, with a minor in Psychology. I have several years of experience in the food and wine industry, in organizational development of a government agency, as an independent marketing consultant and translator, and as a private tutor and nanny, working with children and adolescents. After considering several avenues to pursue my counseling career, I proudly chose the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (currently Sofia University), which focuses on mind, body, and soul integration, to earn an M.A. in Counseling Psychology.

What To Expect:

As a therapist, I have had the privilege of working as a bereavement counselor at Pathways, where I assisted adult individuals through the painful, yet indiscriminately transformative journey of intense grief. I also currently work at an elementary school within the Santa Clara Unified School District, where I support children ages 5 to 11.

I have a particular affinity to working with grief and identity issues (specifically, cultural and multicultural identity, gender and/or sexual identity, religious/spiritual identity). In addition, I have worked with a variety of clients facing depression, anxiety, chemical and substance dependence and abuse, relationships and codependency, domestic violence, major life transitions, and various forms of acute and developmental trauma. I am happy to provide a 20-minute consultation over the phone at no cost to answer any questions you may have, and to help you book your initial appointment.