Spencer Valencia, RPsy

Saya Psychologist

Master in Psychology | Ateneo de Davao University

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Hi, I'm Spencer. I'm a Registered Psychologist and Registered Psychometrician based in Davao City, and I work with individuals in one-to-one therapy. Honestly, I pursued psychology because understanding people has always come naturally to me. Even before I had the language for it, I found I could read people easily—and rather than leave that as just a knack, I wanted to explore it and put it to good use. Empathizing and connecting with people has always felt like second nature, and psychology gave me a way to turn that into something meaningful. That same instinct is what keeps me in this work. Over the years I've supported people through a wide range of experiences—from everyday stress and life transitions to some of the harder, heavier things people carry. I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach; I adapt how I work to fit each person and what they're going through, because what helps one person isn't always what helps another. What stays constant is that no matter what someone is facing, what helps most is feeling genuinely understood—and that's what I try to bring to every session. Outside of work, I'm a reader, and I recharge by travelling and eating out. I like discovering new places and good food as much as I like a good book. If you're considering me for counseling, what I'd most want you to know is that I aim to make therapy feel less clinical and more like a real conversation—with someone who understands where you're coming from and is genuinely on your side. My goal is for you to feel seen and heard, not analyzed.

I know that reading through therapist profiles can feel strange. Maybe you've never done this before, maybe you tried counseling once and it didn't go well, or maybe you're just looking for someone who fits better than the last person did. Wherever you're coming from, I want you to know there's no wrong way to arrive here. Something I often tell my clients in our first session is that I'm not here to hand you answers—I'm here to guide you to them. A lot of the clarity you're looking for is already within you; my role is to help you find it. Think of it as offering an eagle's eye view: I help you step back and see perspectives you might not have noticed from the ground, so that the insights and decisions come from you. You're the one who knows your life best. I'm just here to guide you through it. A lot of people expect to be analyzed, judged, or "fixed," and if a past experience left you feeling that way, I'm sorry that happened, because that's not what this is meant to be. My role is to walk alongside you, not above you. We go at your pace, and you never have to share more than you're ready to. I try to make sessions feel less like a formal appointment and more like a conversation with someone who's genuinely paying attention. I listen closely, I don't rush to conclusions, and I adapt how I work to fit you—because you're not a diagnosis or a checklist, and what you need is different from what the next person needs. You don't need to have the right words, a clear problem, or everything figured out before you come in. Sometimes just showing up and saying "I don't know where to start" is exactly the start. If you're curious, even a little, that's enough to begin, and we can take it from there together.