Sports Psychology Therapists in Burnaby

You deserve to be seen and heard, not just for what you achieve, but for who you are. I specialize in supporting athletes, high achievers, and Asian and racialized individuals navigating anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, identity, cultural expectations, and performance-related stress. Much of my work focuses on helping clients untangle their relationship with achievement, productivity, and self-worth while building a more grounded and secure sense of identity. Many of my clients are capable, driven, and deeply responsible. On the outside, they appear high-functioning. Internally, they may be carrying pressure, self-doubt, anxiety, burnout, or a quiet sense that their worth is conditional on success. Despite their accomplishments, they often feel overwhelmed by the pressure to perform, disconnected from themselves, or unsure of who they are outside of achievement and productivity. I also work closely with athletes and teams across club, varsity, and national team sport environments. My work in mental performance focuses on confidence, emotional regulation, resilience, pressure management, performance anxiety, fear of failure, burnout, motivation, focus, injury recovery, and identity outside of sport. I support athletes through both performance enhancement and the mental health challenges that can emerge within competitive environments. As an Asian-Canadian and second-generation immigrant myself, my lived experiences deeply shape how I approach therapy and mental health. I understand how difficult it can feel to navigate multiple cultural worlds while balancing expectations around success, responsibility, achievement, and emotional expression. Many of the clients I work with carry invisible pressure — pressure to succeed, pressure to make others proud, pressure to not disappoint others, or pressure to struggle silently while appearing “fine” on the outside. I strive to create a space where clients feel genuinely seen, understood, and supported. Therapy with me is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in curiosity rather than judgment. Together, we work to better understand the patterns, experiences, and beliefs that may be keeping you stuck while helping you build a healthier and more sustainable relationship with yourself, your emotions, and your goals. In addition to my counselling work, I have over 11 years of experience coaching wrestling and have held leadership positions at both the Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) and National Sport Organization (NSO) levels. I have also worked with Canadian Women & Sport for the past three years. These experiences continue to shape my understanding of performance culture, athlete development, and the systemic pressures that many individuals face within high-performance environments. My approach to counselling is strengths-based, culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and grounded in evidence-informed practices. I believe therapy should feel tailored to you and your unique experiences rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. If you’re looking for a therapist who understands the nuances of Asian mental health, the internal world of high achievers, or the mental demands of athletics, I would be honoured to walk alongside you. I offer a culturally attuned space to unpack these experiences, without shame or blame, so you can move toward a more integrated sense of self.

I’m Ellen, and I am currently completing my Masters degree in Counselling Psychology with Yorkville University. Given my educational background in Kinesiology, my counselling lens has been shaped by my work as a strength coach, an Olympic weightlifting coach, and as a Registered Kinesiologist. Spending seven years so far in these roles has deepened my understanding of the intricate connection between physical and mental health. I am a strong advocate for both as equally important forms of healing, and I am especially passionate about helping individuals reconnect to their somatic experiences and felt sense. Over the years, I have had the honour and privilege of supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds with issues including chronic pain, self-esteem, body image, identity, and imposterism. As a proud Taiwanese-Canadian woman and second generation immigrant, I also aim to support bicultural individuals by helping them navigate cultural and intergenerational challenges, expanding on their cultural narratives, and drawing on their unique cultural strengths and perspectives. In my work as an Olympic Weightlifting coach, I have also worked closely with youth and teen athletes on issues including performance anxiety, perfectionism, and belonging. As a counsellor, my approach is rooted in cultural humility, compassion, and curiosity. In our sessions, you can expect a warm, empathetic, and grounded clinician who works alongside you in collaborative exploration. I understand the importance of giving voice to your experiences and I hold space for you to show up as you are. I firmly believe in your internal wisdom and your capacity for self-actualization. Together, we can cultivate your natural intuition, strengths, and resources to help you feel empowered and embodied in your true self.

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.