About Valentina Zapata Giraldo

Hi, I’m Valentina. I am currently completing my master’s in Counselling Psychology at the University of Manitoba, where I also completed my B.A (Adv.) in Psychology and Spanish. I am also a Student Member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).

My path toward counselling has been shaped by years of working with people in both healthcare and crisis-support settings. Those experiences have given me the privilege of connecting with people during moments of uncertainty, vulnerability, change, and sometimes profound difficulty. More than anything, they have taught me how important it is to slow down, listen carefully, remain curious, and make space for the person behind what they may be going through. Those values continue to shape both who I am and the kind of therapist I hope to be.

I don’t believe therapy should look the same for everyone. What matters most to me is understanding you as a whole person rather than reducing your experience to a problem, diagnosis, or list of symptoms. I am genuinely curious about the relationships, experiences, culture, and different pieces of your life that have shaped the way you see yourself and the world around you. I would rather take the time to understand what something means to you than assume I already know.

My style is warm, conversational, curious, and collaborative. I will ask questions, help you notice patterns, offer different perspectives, and gently challenge you when something feels worth exploring more closely. My work is grounded in a person-centered approach while drawing from a variety of modalities and perspectives, including CBT, DBT informed strategies, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), attachment-based approaches, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). I do not believe that one approach can fit every person, so our work together will be shaped by what feels most meaningful and helpful to you.

I enjoy working with adults and seniors from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences. I am particularly interested in supporting people navigating anxiety, stress, grief and loss, relationship and family concerns, boundaries, life transitions, feelings of disconnection or uncertainty, and the emotional and relational experiences that can come with migration and adjusting to a new place.

I offer counselling in both English and Spanish. Having experienced migration myself, I hold a particular appreciation for the ways culture, family, language, belonging, and identity can shape how we understand ourselves, our relationships, and the challenges we face.

Ultimately, I hope therapy can be a place where you feel comfortable being honest, curious about yourself, and supported as you better understand what you are carrying and move toward a life that feels more connected, meaningful, and true to who you are.