Miriam Pai-Spering

About Miriam

Miriam (she/her) works with both individuals and couples, bringing warmth, authenticity, compassion, and a direct approach to her practice. She sees therapy as a collaborative journey—an opportunity to explore together how to gradually rebuild confidence and trust in oneself and in relationships with others.

In individual therapy, Miriam supports clients through a wide range of life transitions and mental health challenges, including those related to relationships, parenting, peri-/menopause, and aging. In couples therapy, she creates a safe and supportive space where partners can work through relational injuries and betrayal, improve communication, and strengthen their connection and intimacy.

Miriam is extensively trained in Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) for both individuals and couples, and has completed additional training in evidence-based approaches such as Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Levels 1 and 2), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness practices. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Cognitive Psychology and a PhD in Psychology and Neuroscience. Before becoming a therapist, Miriam spent over 20 years working in university-based Neuroscience research, education and leadership.

Her therapeutic practice is deeply informed by her extensive scientific background in brain processes that shape how we think, feel, and behave. This perspective enhances Miriam’s ability to help clients make sense of their experiences and supports a compassionate, evidence-informed approach to healing and change—even when challenges are long-standing or recurring.

Originally from Germany and now a mother of three school-aged and children, Miriam often reflects on the themes of origin, identity, culture, and belonging. She offers counselling in both English and German, and is committed to creating a safe and inclusive space for clients of all ages, races, ethnicities, religions, genders, sexual orientations and identities.