Immigration/Acculturation Therapists in Canada

Hi! I’m Will (he/him); a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Mental Performance Consultant and founder of Strive Counselling. My clinical roots began over the span of a decade in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, where I worked extensively with people who use drugs. A simultaneous stint working with inmates at BC Corrections has allowed me to develop not only a deeper understanding of mental health and addiction, but to also foster a greater sense of empathy and compassion for what it means to help people. I have also spent a significant portion of time working at Vancouver Community College, both as an instructor and as a counsellor, where I helped many students with culturally diverse backgrounds work through equally-diverse issues. As a proud Taiwanese-Canadian, I am passionate about fostering cultural humility in my practice, and to learn about the interplay between culture and mental health. Currently, I am a member of the Mental Health Network under the Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport; a nationally-led organization comprised of highly-skilled mental health professionals from across Canada who specialize in various areas sports psychology. As a Mental Performance Consultant, I have had the exciting opportunity to work with high-level athletes from various organizations, including Douglas College Athletics, The Richmond Oval’s High Performance Program, and FightStory (Founded by former ONE FC Champion Angela Lee). In our sessions, you can expect an engaged, committed, and collaborative clinician to help you reach your goals. I am keen on empowering you with the insights needed to create lasting meaningful change. I am excited to help you achieve wellness and reach your potential. When I’m not seeing clients, I enjoy an active lifestyle predominantly occupied by practicing martial arts, including Muay Thai and BJJ. I express myself creatively through carpentry, and seek tranquility through my freshwater aquariums. I am a proud father of enthusiastic girls, and husband to an unconditionally supportive wife.

I am a first(ish) generation Canadian, originally from western Ukraine. I work primarily with folks who moved to Canada or have family that has moved to Canada from other places. The clients that find me a good fit want somebody who is comfortable with diverse perspectives, and is somebody they can connect with, versus strictly being someone who provides educational resources and exercises. This is what I strive to be as a therapist, to "get" my clients and where they are coming from, so that our work together is anchored in understanding and trust. My practice is highly influenced by attachment theory, relational/interpersonal therapy and family systems theory. This means that we look at struggles you're facing not only on an individual level, but also with the goal of helping you find relationships of care and support in your everyday life. If you're interested in working with me, reach out and I'd be happy to schedule a free consultation call with you.

As a counseling psychology graduate student and mental health professional, I provide human-centered approach to supporting individuals navigating trauma, addiction, career transitions, and life's challenging moments. With a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Yorkville University, a Graduate Certificate in Addiction Treatment from Georgian College, and dual bachelor's degrees in psychology and biology from Macalester College, my practice is grounded in both scientific understanding and compassionate care. I have worked across community mental health, career counseling, and peer support settings.

Some wounds don’t show on the surface but shape everything underneath. I support individuals exploring identity, relationships, and the lasting effects of painful or complex family dynamics. For many, this can include the impact of cultural or generational histories, immigration, or early experiences that continue to influence how we relate, cope, and make decisions today. As an international, transracial adoptee, I bring both lived experience and clinical grounding, offering space to slow down, reflect, and begin with compassion and collaboration. As a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), I adopt a trauma-informed, client-centred approach. Together, we’ll identify patterns, challenge limiting beliefs with compassion, build emotional awareness, and develop a treatment plan that reflects your needs and lived experience.

Hello! My name is Elika (Eh-lee-ka) and I am a neurodivergent, cisgender, second generation Okinawan immigrant settler occupying the stolen traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ Nations. I am an intern counsellor completing a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology degree, and am excited for the opportunity to lean into over 15 years of experience working in community-based programs and social services. I have had the privilege of working alongside individuals of all ages, identities, and diverse family/caregiver structures such as young folks living in the foster care system. I bring a deep passion for welcoming and exploring the unique story of each person, nurturing their strengths, interests, and capacities while creating a supportive space to work through life’s challenges. Together, we’ll explore how your past experiences, your environment, and the different parts of who you are shape the person you are becoming today. Through developing a meaningful and trusting connection to ground our work together, I strive to support your vision of health and well-being with warmth, openness, empathy, and kind care. I believe in exploring and (re)discovering your inner resources, and nurturing your authenticity in a way that is meaningful to you.