Meet Kim Guttman
MSW | RSW | PYSCHOTHERAPIST
Kim Guttman is a registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and has been a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers for over 20 years. She earned her Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto.
Kim has over two decades of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, young adults and their families in outpatient mental healthcare settings. In her role, she facilitates therapeutic and psycho-educational groups for young individuals struggling with mood and anxiety disorders. In doing so, Kim draws on an eclectic framework to provide client-centred counselling support. This includes utilizing evidence-based modalities such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), mindfulness, solution-focused and attachment-based therapy.
Kim has been a member of the clinical team at North York General Hospital for 18 years, providing therapy to both individuals and families. Within this treatment setting, she works collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to optimize treatment for clients in individual, family and group modalities.
Kim has experience with a wide range of issues including depression, anxiety, self-harm, emotion regulation, social adjustment, family conflict and parenting challenges.
Kim Has Advanced Training & Continued Education in the Below Subject Areas
Treating Trauma Masters Workshop Series, National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioural Medicine
Working with Core Beliefs of “Never Good Enough”, National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioural Medicine
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy through Broadview Psychology
Motivational Interviewing
Emotion Focused Therapy with Dr. Sue Johnson
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Addressing Youth Depression and Suicide with Dr. Stan Kutcher
Collaborative Problem Solving Approach with Dr. Ross Greene
Working with Adolescents and their Families: Navigating Through Tough Times with Jerome Price
Services
Kim’s clients consist of people facing a variety of challenges including:
Anxiety
Depression
ADHD
Emotion Regulation Difficulties
Peer conflict
Family Conflict
Parenting Challenges
Life Transitions
Self-Esteem issues
OCD
Trauma
Testimonials
“The thing I needed most was to talk to someone who understood my problems, and Kim gave me exactly that! Regardless of what I threw at her, she was always able to empathize with me. She addressed my problems in a way that allowed me to be a part of the process in developing the right coping mechanisms. She prompted me to understand where my underlying issues were coming from and was always ready with a plan to combat them. No concern is too big or too small when you’re talking with Kim!”
“When I was 12 years old, my doctor referred me to Kim due to my struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, and disordered eating. Ever since my first session with Kim seven years ago, she has not only been my confidante, but she has been my consistent supporter through the struggles that I have endured throughout my adolescence. Kim is thorough with her diagnosis, easily accessible in emergency, and 100% non-judgmental. In my years of searching for an effective therapist, the main component I required when obtaining a social worker was that they were non-judgmental and approachable. I could tell Kim every thought that entered my mind - without worrying that I would receive judgment on her end. Kim has guided me through the most challenging times in my life and has taught me the skills I needed to work to combat my mental illness. ”
“When I first started feeling anxious and in my head about everything I didn’t think there was a single person in this world that would understand or attempt to understand what is going on in my brain I thought therapy was stupid I thought medication was stupid I thought none of it would work and I would just be sad forever. And then I by chance was paired with Kim and everything changed. Kim makes you feel the validation that you need as she makes you understand that it is OK to not be OK not everybody has a perfect life with no issues. She listens to everything I say she doesn’t leave out one small detail. She remembers every little detail I tell her about stories even if it is so insignificant. She makes me feel like I am one of her kids that she cares about deeply. Since covid began, I started therapy therefore I have never met Kim in person. However, I feel like I’ve known her my whole life. She honestly cares and doesn’t want to waste anyone’s times. She feels ones pain and makes it her duty to make them feel better. I did not think I was going to feel better ever, and she has made my mental state 5 times better than it was a year ago and I cannot wait to continue with her because she is honestly god sent. Kim Guttman deserves the world, she cares deeply about her patients and connects on a personal level with them, and I thank her for that.”
“Our daughter had issues for some time with anxiety and depression which proved to be very debilitating. She had seen other health care professionals with limited success.
Part of the issue is that the other professionals she had seen did not have great experience in addressing adolescent anxiety/depression. On the recommendation of our family doctor, we were told to see someone who has extensive and specific experience addressing adolescent anxiety/depression. And that is how we finally came to Kim.
We were aware that there is no quick or simple solutions to address issues of anxiety and depression. That said, Kim was quickly able to focus on our daughter’s problems and managed to earn her trust and confidence. Slowly but surely our daughter has progressed and improved.
While we are thrilled that Kim has helped our daughter, we are frustrated that we wasted so much time prior to discovering Kim. Thank you Kim!”