I believe meaningful change begins when you feel truly seen and safe enough to be honest. Many of the people I work with are high achievers and caregivers who have spent a long time holding it together, even while feeling anxious, disconnected, or drained. They’re often tired of people pleasing, overthinking, or repeating relationship patterns that leave them feeling unseen.
Before I became a therapist, I was a classically trained pianist. Music taught me how to listen closely, notice what’s unspoken, and sit with emotion without rushing it away. That early foundation shaped the way I work now: with patience, attunement, and deep respect for your story.
In therapy, we’ll gently unpack what’s keeping you stuck, build emotion regulation and self trust, and help you move toward balance, clarity, and more secure connections. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Client Focus
Session Format: Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Senior, Young Adult
Languages: English
Treatment Approach
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them, while committing to actions that reflect their values. It blends mindfulness with practical behavior strategies.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) Builds skills in self-kindness and compassion toward others. It is especially helpful for people who struggle with shame or self-criticism.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Combines CBT with mindfulness to help regulate emotions, tolerate stress, and build stronger relationships. Originally designed for borderline personality disorder, it’s now used more broadly.
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Focuses on strengthening emotional bonds in couples or families. It helps people identify negative cycles and create more secure connections.
- Existential / Humanistic Therapy Encourages people to explore meaning, freedom, and authenticity in their lives. It focuses on personal growth and living in alignment with one’s values.
- Experiential Therapy Involves hands-on activities to bring emotions into the present moment. It helps clients process feelings more deeply than through conversation alone.
- Feminist Therapy Addresses how gender roles, power, and social inequality affect mental health. It empowers clients to challenge limiting beliefs and systems.
- Gestalt Therapy Encourages awareness of thoughts, feelings, and actions in the present moment. It helps people integrate different parts of themselves for wholeness.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Helps clients heal by working with different ‘parts’ of themselves, like inner critics or wounded children. It fosters harmony within the self.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) A short-term approach focused on improving relationships and social support. It is often used for depression and grief.
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Combines mindfulness practices with CBT to prevent depression relapse. It helps people notice thoughts without judgment and respond more calmly.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) A collaborative, client-centered approach that strengthens motivation for change. It is especially effective for addictions and health behaviors.
- Multicultural Therapy Acknowledges the role of culture, race, and identity in mental health. It values diversity and adapts treatment to each person’s background.
- Music Therapy Uses music listening, songwriting, or rhythm exercises to support healing. It is effective for stress, emotional expression, and cognitive challenges.
- Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It provides a safe space for self-discovery and growth.
- Psychodynamic Therapy Explores unconscious thoughts and patterns that influence current behavior. It builds insight into how the past impacts the present.
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Focuses on solutions and future goals rather than past problems. It is practical, short-term, and goal-driven.
Approach Description: My approach is warm, steady, and collaborative. I work best with high achievers, caregivers, and deep feelers who look “fine” on the outside but feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in people pleasing patterns. We move at a pace that feels safe while still building momentum, combining insight with practical tools you can use between sessions.
I integrate CBT, EFT, mindfulness, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and music therapy informed care. That means we’ll explore the patterns underneath anxiety, burnout, and relationship stress while also strengthening emotion regulation, boundaries, self trust, and communication. I’m especially attentive to what’s happening beneath the surface, including emotions that feel hard to name and the needs you’ve learned to minimize.
Education & Credentials
Kayla Rivera RP
- Female
- License # 11924
- Licensed in ON
- Practicing Since 2022
Education: Wilfrid Laurier University – Honours, Bachelor of Music Therapy
Yorkville University – Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology
Finances
Fees
- Average Session Fee $190
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- Nearly all insurance policies cover psychotherapy from Social Workers & Psychotherapists! After each session, we will direct bill your insurance or you'll receive a receipt which you can use for submitting a claim.
- Accepts Insurance
- Nearly all insurance policies cover psychotherapy from Social Workers & Psychotherapists! After each session, we will direct bill your insurance or you'll receive a receipt which you can use for submitting a claim.
Kayla Rivera Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Pickering, ON L1V 7G5 and Oshawa, ON
- Available Online for residents of Ontario
- Online Therapy Details: JaneApp
Kayla Rivera is a Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO) with a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and training in music therapy. She offers in person and virtual therapy for adults seeking support with relationship issues, codependency, self esteem, life transitions, and the process of meaning making.
Onboarding Therapist Informatio…
Clients often come to therapy feeling burned out, anxious, lonely, or unsure how to stop over giving and start feeling more like themselves. Kayla provides a culturally sensitive, trauma informed space to slow down, feel understood, and make changes that are sustainable. Sessions are available on weekdays.