Hannah Kempf

Meet Hannah

“I believe that those who choose to journey with themselves, on a self-reflective and self-aware sojourn, are the bravest of all.”

The type of clients that Hannah works best with:

Hannah specializes in working with couples using Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), one of the most extensively researched and effective approaches for helping couples heal relationship distress. She is an ICEEFT Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist, a designation awarded by the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy after extensive training, supervised practice, and demonstration of competency in the model. She integrates EFCT with attachment theory to help couples understand their relationship patterns, reconnect emotionally, and build secure, lasting relationships.

Couples

I enjoy supporting couples in building the closeness and connection they long for. I’m especially drawn to this work because of my fascination with how early experiences shape the ways we show up in romantic relationships. Often, patterns from childhood quietly influence how we relate to our partners—sometimes leaving us feeling stuck or misunderstood. It’s inspiring to witness two people choosing to lean into the hard work of understanding one another more deeply, even when it feels messy or painful. I help couples slow down, tune in to what’s happening beneath the surface, and create more responsive, emotionally secure ways of connecting. It’s a privilege to walk alongside partners as they make sense of their patterns and find new ways to feel more understood, supported, and connected.

Families

I have always been struck by the powerful role families play in shaping who we are, and I’ve come to deeply appreciate the transformative potential of family therapy. I enjoy working with families who are ready to explore the unspoken dynamics that shape the negative patterns in their relationships. Together, we work to help family members feel seen, heard, and understood in their roles, whether as caregivers, parents, children, or siblings. My goal is to help families build stronger, healthier connections and create lasting, positive change.

Parents (including new moms)

I’m deeply passionate about supporting parents—both because of my own journey as a mother and what I’ve learned through studying early brain development and Attachment Theory. I’ve seen how our early experiences shape the way we relate to others, and how the quality of connection between parent and child can influence a child’s lifelong emotional well-being. It brings me real joy to help parents show up in nurturing, attuned ways that build strong, secure bonds. My hope is to empower parents to raise confident, connected children who are equipped to move through life with resilience and healthy relationships.

Hannah uses the following Therapeutic Modalities in her work with clients

Client’s that Appreciate Hannah’s Therapeutic Approach tend to be:

• Couples who want to stay together but feel stuck, disconnected, or caught in painful cycles—and are seeking support to reconnect.
• Partners who are willing to look at their own patterns and how they shape the relationship, rather than focusing on changing or fixing the other person.
• Interested in understanding the deeper reasons behind their struggles, not just finding ways to manage the symptoms.
• Curious about how early experiences influence the way they connect and relate to others as adults.
• Willing to explore how empathy and compassion for their partner can help them build deeper bonds.
• Looking for more than advice or a space to vent—ready to engage in meaningful, transformative work.
• Open to leaning into discomfort, reflection, and change in pursuit of growth.
• Families seeking a deeper understanding of how attachment patterns develop within the family and how they shape a child’s sense of security, emotional health, and relationships throughout life.
• Parents who recognize the importance of nurturing a safe emotional environment for their children and are open to learning how their own attachment history may be influencing their parenting style and family dynamics.
• Parents who are open to the attachment parenting approach, recognizing that their child’s behaviors often stem from unmet attachment needs and fears, not just issues to fix.
• Families eager to explore how relational patterns and family dynamics impact emotional well-being, with a focus on fostering secure, connected bonds.

What’s one thing you wish more people understood about mental health?

I wish it were common knowledge that our mental and emotional experiences are shaped by the stories we’ve lived—especially the ones formed in childhood. Understanding your own birth story and reflecting on the nurture and care you received as a child can provide valuable insight into your current experiences in relationships and in parenthood. The struggles we face with our own mental health are often about the unhealed wounds or unmet needs from our past. While we cannot change our past, my hope is that by acknowledging the helplessness we all experience as babies and young children, you can cultivate greater compassion for yourself and those around you—especially your partner or your own children. Parenting calls us to examine our own histories to ensure we don’t unconsciously repeat them. The beauty of the human experience, even in its imperfection, is the capacity for healing and transformation. Healing starts with curiosity and compassion, and by exploring our roots, we can begin to understand and care for what’s beneath the surface. Though it’s not a quick process, this conscious journey toward growth and redemption is one we are all capable of undertaking.

Professional Background

I initially earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and Development Studies before pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Social Work. During my undergraduate studies, I developed a deep passion for language and culture, which led me to live in Quito, Ecuador, and Trinidad, Bolivia over the next few years. In Ecuador, I studied community development, and later in Bolivia, I worked on a water project in the Amazon Jungle. It was there that I realized how crucial emotional well-being is to addressing physical needs—without attention to emotions, efforts to meet physical needs are often ineffective and lead to a cycle of frustration.

In my Master’s program, I focused on Couples and Family Therapy while also working at an Outdoor Addictions Treatment Centre that specialized in Adventure Therapy for at-risk youth. After completing my Clinical Social Work program, I developed an interest in trauma and its impact on individuals, families, and communities. I pursued further training in trauma-informed practices and healing. These diverse experiences have shaped my perspective as both a counsellor and social worker, giving me a unique understanding of culture, people, and myself.