My name is Hayley Guyn, and I’m a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) and psychotherapist. My journey into the field of therapy started with my work supporting clients living in the community who were dealing with severe trauma and addictions.
Early on, I realized how important it was to truly understand trauma in order to provide meaningful support, which led me to pursue opportunities to expand my knowledge and training. One of the pivotal moments in my career was working at a treatment centre dedicated to veterans navigating PTSD and other mental health challenges. Under the guidance of skilled clinicians, I transitioned into providing individual therapy, which has been deeply rewarding.
Some of my proudest achievements as a mental health professional have been witnessing clients begin to believe that positive change is possible and recognizing their role as active participants in their own journey. I’ve also felt immense pride providing trauma care using cognitive processing therapy, where I’ve seen significant shifts in those suffering from PTSD. Helping them gain insight into their stuck points and watching their symptoms improve has been incredibly fulfilling.
I bring kindness, empathy, and authenticity to my work. I genuinely believe that change is possible when we find the right approach together. My background gives me a unique perspective, blending experience from both the medical and therapeutic sides of mental health. This allows me to tailor my support holistically and meet clients where they are. Empathy, authenticity, and honesty are the core values guiding me as a counselling professional, and they shape how I approach every session. I believe that forming an authentic connection creates trust and safety—essential for honest reflection and deeper shifts in awareness.
One of the challenges I’ve faced in my career was feeling limited by time and resources as an RPN. Often, the focus was on fast treatments like medication, which didn’t allow space to address deeper challenges such as trauma. This frustration pushed me to further my education and seek out opportunities to provide more comprehensive care, ultimately leading me to one-on-one therapy where I can offer more in-depth support.
Outside of work, I value spending time with family and friends, playing soccer, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors. These activities help me maintain a healthy balance between my professional and personal life.
My background as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse has shaped my perspective significantly. It has provided me with extensive clinical experience working with mood disorders, psychosis, addiction, and trauma. I’ve had training in prescribing medication and offering medical treatment, which gives me confidence in assessing individuals more fully during therapy sessions. My experience has reinforced the importance of a multi-faceted approach, combining therapy, medications when appropriate, and family or community support.
Ultimately, I hope that clients feel trusting of my intentions and confident in the care I provide. I am committed to offering meaningful mental health support tailored to each individual’s needs.