About us

Why Sozo?

Rooted in ancient Greek wisdom, the word "Sozo" embodies more than mere healing; it signifies a journey toward wholeness in spirit, mind, and body. Alongside this symbolic word is the Enso circle—an emblem of togetherness in Zen Buddhism. Its unbroken line represents unity and the harmony between emotional and mental realms.

Together, the Enso circle and the word "Sozo" form an emblem that signifies a journey towards wholeness and unity. Thus underscoring our commitment to helping you discover balance, embrace your essence, and cultivate harmony in all aspects of your life.

Our Approach

We depart from a compassionate, mindfulness-based perspective, and place an emphasis on emotional regulation and experiential integration. Our goal is to help you move towards living a meaningful life. This is done through gaining insights, recognizing unhelpful patterns, and learning to regulate emotions. We specialize in helping those struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Anxiety, Depression, Body Image Issues, and Perfectionism. Our approach includes but is not limited to:

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

  • Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (RO DBT)

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)

  • Experiential Therapy

  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Meet Kayla Spicer, M.A., RP (Q)

My name is Kayla and I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) who works with individuals of ages 18+ who are experiencing ongoing mental health challenges. My goal is to help you overcome feeling overwhelmed and depressed as well as help you make progress towards your personal goals. On my free time, I enjoy hanging with my cats (Tuna and Mojo), doing yoga, reading, traveling, and baking.

I provide bilingual psychotherapy services (French and English) for adults across Ontario, Canada.

  • University of Ottawa (2013-2017)

  • University of Ottawa (2017-2019)

  • University of Ottawa (2020-2022)

    • Level 1 Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy Blended Learning Course (APA/ACE) 2023

    • Focus on Self & Identity ACT Training - Dr. Kelly Wilson (15h) 2023

    • Motivational Interviewing Training - Dr. Emily Wharton (12h) 2023

    • ACT Essentials, APT- Accreditation Level 2, Dr. William Davies (18h) 2021

    • DBT Essentials, APT-Accreditation Level 2, Dr. William Davies (18h) 2021

    • CBT Essentials, APT-Accreditation Level 2, Dr. William Davies (18h) 2021

    • Samson, A., Maisonneuve, A. R., Achille, K., Spicer, K. , Haddad, A., Chénier-Ayotte, N., Negura, L., & Robaey, P.(2023). The contribution of vocational preparation in the context of the psychosocial adaptation process touniversity studies. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-023-09599-7

    • Chénier-Ayotte, N., Samson, A., Spicer, K. , Haddad, A. (2023). The Experience of Seeking Professional Support forMen who were Sexually Abused as Children and Adolescents. Unpublished manuscript, Faculty of Education,University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

    • Moreau, K., Spicer, K. (2023). Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in Medical Education Research. Unpublishedmanuscript, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

    • Spicer, K. , Samson, A., Martel, M., Dimillo, J. (2022). May I Be Kind to Myself: A Pilot Study on the Experience of a6-week Short-Course in Mindful Self-Compassion (SC-MSC). Unpublished manuscript, Faculty of Education,University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Professional Background & Trainings

Get started with Sozo Psychotherapy, today.