I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (#12003), and I hold a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology from City University of Seattle.

 

I am Chinese-Canadian, by way of the Philippines, and was born and raised in Vancouver, on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-waututh) nations. As a queer woman of colour, and a middle-class cisgendered settler, my lived experience has taught me that the personal is political, and that alongside the challenges that arise when we come up against systems of power, so much strength and resilience can be found in our complex, intersectional identities.

 

A metaphor was once offered to me, of the role of the counsellor likened to sitting in the passenger seat of a client-driven car. As a counsellor, I am called upon as a companion, to offer the perspective of another window’s view, or to refer back to the map in the glove compartment, or to comment on the skyline, but ultimately, it is the driver that is in charge of the route, the destination, and even the speed at which we travel; perhaps, more than anything, my role is to bear witness, and especially, to bear witness to moments of transformation, to those particularly beautiful sunsets.

I truly believe that feeling seen and heard is a crucial part of the human experience, and foundational in allowing individuals to foster their own sense of belonging and significance in the world. It is my passion for this process that drew me to this field, and it is my joy to witness individuals embarking on journeys of discovery that lead to greater abilities to move, act, and speak from an authentic and integrated place that acknowledges and honours their voices, needs, and experiences. My clients have shared with me that our work together is grounding and deeply nourishing, with ripple effects that extend into their everyday encounters with the world.

 

Grounded in theories that align with my own values of meeting people where they are at, my abilities to listen to, be with, and support others continue to be honed. With a passion for social justice, and rooted in a strengths-based, collaborative approach, I see my work as an opportunity to join with others on their journey to discover all that they already are, and to further support them to become who they would like to be. It is my honour and privilege to bear witness to both the tough and tender moments along the way.

In my day-to-day life, I love dancing, painting, and finding magic in everyday encounters with the world.