I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Psychology at Simon Fraser University and my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Trinity Western University.

My desire to become a counsellor stems from my passion to support, guide, and empower those who need a helping hand as they go through struggles in life. I have always been drawn to the helping professions for as long as I could remember. I began my career in the hospitality industry and spent eight years in various positions, including river guide, concierge, sales and catering manager, and hotel duty manager, before realizing that while I have a passion for helping people, I wanted to do so in a way that could create meaningful change for them. With this newfound passion, I moved into the field of education and took on a position as a college instructor of hotel management for two years until I met a registered clinical counsellor and I had the opportunity to talk to her about her work. Almost immediately, I knew that supporting, guiding, and empowering people on their journey to live happier and healthier lives was how I wanted to impact others. I decided to make a career change and return to school for graduate training to become a registered clinical counsellor. I have always believed that it is never too late to make a change and my own life choices have reflected this belief. 

Ethnically, I am Cantonese and this is an integral piece of my identity. As someone who has experienced challenges that a person of colour face, I am aware of the role culture plays in one’s identity and mental health. At the same time, I may not have all the knowledge about a particular culture, but I am committed to practicing cultural sensitivity, to be ready to listen, and to be open, empathic, and humble.

On a personal note, I love hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking, nature, and travelling. I live in the Lower Mainland in beautiful British Columbia and enjoy spending my time with family and friends. I am also a huge animal lover and can often be found playing with my dog Chester and rabbit Charlie, riding horses, or volunteering on a farm sanctuary.

COMMON CONCERNS I WORK WITH ARE:

• ANXIETY
• DEPRESSION
• STRESS AND BURNOUT
• TRAUMA AND PTSD
• SELF-ESTEEM/SELF-WORTH/SELF-LOVE
• ASSERTIVENESS/BOUNDARY SETTING
• LIFE TRANSITIONS
• WOMEN’S ISSUES
• RELATIONSHIPS
• FAMILY CONFLICTS
• CULTURAL ISSUES
• MVA (motor vehicle accident) COUNSELLING

I welcome adolescents (12+) and adults from diverse cultures, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities. While I have experience with a variety of presenting issues that includes anxiety, depression, and trauma, my passion lies in helping you connect to your authentic self and to embrace your vulnerability and inner strength to live authentic lives free from the constraints of societal or cultural expectations and self-judgment. This process can include helping you explore your own wants and needs (wants and needs that may have been pushed aside at a young age in hopes of fitting in and belonging, of being accepted and loved) and helping you communicate these wants and needs in a way that feels authentic to you. As your counsellor, I am your advocate and am dedicated to helping you become aware of your voice, get connected to it, and express it freely and powerfully.

Given my desire to support people to living authentic lives free from societal or cultural expectations, one of my populations of specialty is working with single and childless women over the age of 35. This is a population that has been growing rapidly in recent decades in many countries around the world, and a population that has at times been marginalized in our society that values marriage and family. I am passionate about supporting women in this population with their experiences, whatever they may be, and to support them in living a life with vitality and meaning. More information about this can be found under services.

Additionally, I have a lot of experience with ICBC clients who have been involved with MVAs. I am passionate about treating clients who struggle with chronic pain and concussions, as well as anxiety, depression, and PTSD that can result from the MVA.

As a therapist, I am relational, experiential, trauma-informed, and attachment-focused. My approach draws out the brain’s natural healing tendencies. I use an integrative approach that draws on Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), body-based therapies, attachment theory, inner child work, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness. I always use client-specific interventions to support healing and growth.

As a trauma-informed therapist, I understand that your current ways of being in relationship with yourself and others are impacted by past experiences of stress and trauma. Trauma can often have many mental, emotional, physical, and behavioral effects on a person later in life, including depression, anxiety, disconnection, anger, irritability, compulsive behaviors, chronic pain, difficulty trusting others, insomnia, and negative thoughts towards self, others, and the world. I used neurobiologically-based therapies and techniques, such as EMDR, that gently and effectively release the negative impacts of trauma. After this work is complete, you can redefine how you want to live your life from a place of your core self rather than the trauma responses that ruled before.

I am also a strong proponent of working experientially and relationally, with an attachment lens. As Diana Fosha, the founder of AEDP therapy, asserts, “the experience of affect is what makes us feel alive, real, and authentic, what allows us to be spontaneous, and what gives meaning to our lives”. When our core affective experience is blocked or cut off, we become cut off from our core self. Moreover, when we experience trauma, we will often resort to adopting survival strategies that eventually become maladaptive and distance one’s self from his/her core authentic self. Being cut off from our core self can lead to our struggle with making authentic, meaningful, and self-directed choices about how to live. Because of this, therapy with me is a process that privileges the core self and includes processing affective experiences together to provide corrective emotional experiences. Through this experiential process, we gain clarity on the things holding you back and develop strategies for handling difficult feelings, while at the same time uncovering more of what brings you peace, vitality, and meaning.

Because much of our suffering occur as the result of being left unbearably alone in the face of overwhelming emotional experiences, our work together will be done in the context of a safe relationship, one that is characterized by secure attachment, where you are never alone with overwhelming emotional experiences. It is my utmost priority is to provide a therapeutic relationship built on safety and connection, a space where you feel fully accepted and accompanied as you begin connecting with your core self.

Designations

• Registered Clinical Counsellor (#16881) with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors

Education

• Master of Arts Degree in Counselling Psychology (Trinity Western University)
• Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications and Psychology (Simon Fraser University)

Professional Training

• Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) – Level 2 (Essential Skills 1)
• Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) – Level 1 (Immersion)
• Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) – Basic Training
• Observed and Experiential Integration (OEI) – Level 1
• Gottman Clinical Training (Couples Therapy) – Level 1
• Sandtray Workshop
• Introduction to Existential Analysis
• Expert Strategies to Help Clients Develop Tolerance for Emotional Distress

The name Sequoia Springs is inspired by two of nature’s wonders: the giant sequoia tree and water. Sequoias are one of the world’s largest, tallest, oldest, and hardiest trees. They are giants of the forest that grow to heights of 300 feet or more and have a lifespan that can last as long as 3000 years. With bark that is fireproof, they also have a natural ability to withstand fires and many types of decay. For these reasons, sequoias are a symbol of health, safety, growth, longevity, and durability. The name springs is a tribute to the springs where water naturally flows from the ground. Water replenishes, refreshes, cleanses, and renews, all of which occur in the process to healing. It is my hope that my space provides that for you – a place where you can seek safety, growth, replenishment, and renewal.