About Us

Founder: Karla Rivera, MA, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Awakening Roots Therapy offers spiritually oriented, trauma-informed, compassionate psychotherapy rooted in healing, transformation, and the remembrance of inner wisdom.

This is a space where we go slowly, where nothing is forced, and where safety, consent, and relationship come first.

I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with over 10 years of experience in yoga, movement, and embodied practices. My work is relational, integrative, and culturally responsive, shaped by both clinical training and lived experience.

I was born and raised primarily in and around the GTA and have now made Kitchener-Waterloo my home. I am Latinx, bilingual in English and Spanish, and have Indigenous ancestry, which I am on my own ongoing journey of learning about, reclaiming, and honoring.

As a BIPOC therapist, I hold awareness of how culture, ancestry, identity, and context influence healing. This practice is inclusive and non-exclusionary, welcoming people of all backgrounds while honoring the unique roots each person carries.

Our Therapeutic Foundation

The essence of Awakening Roots Therapy is about connecting with yourself and what matters most to you. Understanding what you’ve been through, and how it has shaped who you are.

Rather than applying techniques to “fix” what is wrong, we focus on building a deeper relationship with yourself — learning how to be with your inner world with clarity, care, and self-compassion.

We draw from:

Somatic awareness to support nervous system regulation and embodied presence
Parts work to understand inner dynamics with curiosity and respect
Narrative therapy to explore meaning, identity, and the stories that shape us
Self-compassion focused practices to foster kindness, resilience, and inner safety

Together, these approaches support healing that is not rushed, not linear, and not imposed — but rooted, responsive, and lasting.

The Spiral Path

At Awakening Roots Therapy, we honor the spiral path of transformation. Healing is not about moving forward in a straight line. It is about returning to familiar places with greater awareness, deeper compassion, and our ability to make different choices.

In this work, we understand that growth happens through revisiting, re-meeting, and gently tending what has shaped us, again and again, each time with more wisdom. Healing is not linear, it is spiralic in nature.

Each session is an invitation to:

What We Offer

Individual Therapy

In our individual therapy sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to explore your innermost thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe and non-judgmental environment. Our psychotherapists will work collaboratively with you to identify the root causes of your challenges, develop effective coping strategies, and empower you to make meaningful, lasting changes.

Couples Counselling

Navigating the complexities of relationships can be challenging, but with the support of our experienced couples counsellors, you can deepen your understanding, improve communication, and strengthen the bond you share. Together, we’ll help you identify and address the underlying issues impacting your relationship, fostering greater connection and intimacy.

Group Therapy

Sharing your experiences and learning from others can be a powerful catalyst for growth. Our group therapy sessions provide a warm and inclusive space for you to connect with like-minded individuals, explore common themes, and support one another on your respective journeys towards greater well-being.

What We Offer

We help people navigate their most fragile moments.

Individual Therapy

One-to-one therapy offering trauma-informed, relational support for self-understanding, nervous system regulation, and personal growth. Sessions focus on building awareness of patterns, strengthening self-compassion, and supporting sustainable change.

Couples Counseling

Support for couples seeking deeper connection, improved communication, and insight into relational dynamics. This work attends to attachment patterns, emotional safety, and shared meaning, while respecting each partner’s experience.

Group Therapy & Community Spaces

Facilitated group therapy experiences that emphasize grounding, shared presence, and relational healing. These groups are held with care, pacing, and choice — participation is always invitational, and sharing is optional.

Ceremonial & Ritual Events

We mark the seasons, transitions and celebrate and honour change within and without. These experiences weave together embodiment, reflection, and connection

Why We Do What We Do

At Awakening Roots Therapy we know first hand how hard life can be sometimes. We also know there is a way to be with life’s challenges while also making space for what is good and beautiful. It all belongs— the grief, the joy, the love and the sorrow. At Awakening Roots Therapy we walk alongside you as you journey into yourself.