Asian Therapists in Vancouver, BC
My expertise is in working with difficulties related to relational dynamics, especially those found in Asian/ Asian North American contexts and families.
I primarily work within a psychodynamic psychotherapy framework. This means we will talk about whatever you wish, but I am always interested in your relational and emotional being as these are keys to your healing. I'm also interested in helping people untangle and develop new perspectives to their past, current, and future faith expressions.
My expertise is in working with difficulties related to relational dynamics, especially those found in Asian/ Asian North American contexts and families.
I primarily work within a psychodynamic psychotherapy framework. This means we will talk about whatever you wish, but I am always interested in your relational and emotional being as these are keys to your healing. I'm also interested in helping people untangle and develop new perspectives to their past, current, and future faith expressions.
Stepwise Counselling - Kenneth Kuo, RTC, MTC
Counsellor, BSc, RTC, MTC
22 Endorsed
Vancouver, BC V6J
Staying awake in the middle of the night because you are feeling detached and desperate in an intimate relationship ? Highly anxious about lack of career satisfaction ? At your wits' end dealing with your children's behaviour ? Or maybe feeling lost and adrift in life wondering what your real calling and purpose is ? I am here to help you navigate through difficult circumstances and transitions ..... ..... so you can be more resilient, find new energy, and discover new steps toward a more content, purpose-driven life.
Staying awake in the middle of the night because you are feeling detached and desperate in an intimate relationship ? Highly anxious about lack of career satisfaction ? At your wits' end dealing with your children's behaviour ? Or maybe feeling lost and adrift in life wondering what your real calling and purpose is ? I am here to help you navigate through difficult circumstances and transitions ..... ..... so you can be more resilient, find new energy, and discover new steps toward a more content, purpose-driven life.
My approach to counselling is a psychodynamic, person-centred, and trauma-informed approach. The psychodynamic approach can help us gain new insights into our lives, and by integrating art into the session, it can become a powerful mind-body-oriented resource for individuals to look into themselves, and at their concerns, from a different angle.
My approach to counselling is a psychodynamic, person-centred, and trauma-informed approach. The psychodynamic approach can help us gain new insights into our lives, and by integrating art into the session, it can become a powerful mind-body-oriented resource for individuals to look into themselves, and at their concerns, from a different angle.
You may be carrying the weight of anxiety, depression, or a deep sense of not quite belonging. Maybe you've moved across the world, navigated life between cultures, or found yourself questioning who you are and where you fit. Perhaps past experiences have left you feeling stuck, disconnected, or unsure of how to move forward. You're not looking for quick fixes. You want to understand yourself more deeply, heal what's been holding you back, and build a life that feels genuinely yours. If any of this resonates, you're not alone and you don't have to figure it out by yourself.
You may be carrying the weight of anxiety, depression, or a deep sense of not quite belonging. Maybe you've moved across the world, navigated life between cultures, or found yourself questioning who you are and where you fit. Perhaps past experiences have left you feeling stuck, disconnected, or unsure of how to move forward. You're not looking for quick fixes. You want to understand yourself more deeply, heal what's been holding you back, and build a life that feels genuinely yours. If any of this resonates, you're not alone and you don't have to figure it out by yourself.
Open For Referrals
Do you feel overwhelmed by troubles in your romantic relationships/workplace/family? Are you struggling with low moods, trauma, or anxiety? My name is Michael and I provide therapy for individuals and couples. I've worked for 10+ years in social services working with unhoused populations, addictions, post-secondary institutions, hospital settings, and employment assistant programs.
Open For Referrals
Do you feel overwhelmed by troubles in your romantic relationships/workplace/family? Are you struggling with low moods, trauma, or anxiety? My name is Michael and I provide therapy for individuals and couples. I've worked for 10+ years in social services working with unhoused populations, addictions, post-secondary institutions, hospital settings, and employment assistant programs.
I believe that reaching out for support is a courageous and meaningful step. I understand that this can bring up many emotions, and my goal is to offer a compassionate space where you can feel safe and understood. I aim to help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, heal self-doubt, and reconnect with a sense of hope and direction. As a mother of a child with autism, I also understand, in a personal way, the joys, challenges, and emotional layers that can come with caregiving. This lived experience helps me hold space with empathy and care for the diverse ways individuals and families navigate life.
I believe that reaching out for support is a courageous and meaningful step. I understand that this can bring up many emotions, and my goal is to offer a compassionate space where you can feel safe and understood. I aim to help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, heal self-doubt, and reconnect with a sense of hope and direction. As a mother of a child with autism, I also understand, in a personal way, the joys, challenges, and emotional layers that can come with caregiving. This lived experience helps me hold space with empathy and care for the diverse ways individuals and families navigate life.
Youth & young adult therapy. You might be a college/university student or new graduate feeling overwhelmed by a lot pressure to "have it together". Or you're a working professional struggling with anxiety, work place pressure or feeling burnt out and lost.
I offer a space where you are truly seen, heard, and understood. Your feelings, including sadness, anger and loss, can be explored safely without judgment. Together, we develop practical tools, creative ways of expressing yourself, strategies to manage stress, navigate transitions, set boundaries, care for yourself, and reconnect with what matters most to you and your wellbeing.
Youth & young adult therapy. You might be a college/university student or new graduate feeling overwhelmed by a lot pressure to "have it together". Or you're a working professional struggling with anxiety, work place pressure or feeling burnt out and lost.
I offer a space where you are truly seen, heard, and understood. Your feelings, including sadness, anger and loss, can be explored safely without judgment. Together, we develop practical tools, creative ways of expressing yourself, strategies to manage stress, navigate transitions, set boundaries, care for yourself, and reconnect with what matters most to you and your wellbeing.
"Problems" in our lives often try to lead us to focus solely on resolving or avoiding them at all cost. In both cases, we are forced to sacrifice other parts of ourselves as a result. However, the more we sacrifice, the more "problems" take up of our space and time, leading us to feel overwhelmed and trapped. Despite the pressure to immediately "fix" things, reconnecting instead with our values, core beliefs, needs and aspirations can help create alternatives to problem-saturated narratives and, ultimately, can lead us towards solutions.
"Problems" in our lives often try to lead us to focus solely on resolving or avoiding them at all cost. In both cases, we are forced to sacrifice other parts of ourselves as a result. However, the more we sacrifice, the more "problems" take up of our space and time, leading us to feel overwhelmed and trapped. Despite the pressure to immediately "fix" things, reconnecting instead with our values, core beliefs, needs and aspirations can help create alternatives to problem-saturated narratives and, ultimately, can lead us towards solutions.
My name is Veronica and I am a Registered Psychologist with the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia. I hold a Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology and a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology (MCP). In the past, I have worked directly with individuals experiencing a range of diverse issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma and sexuality-based issues. Most commonly, I witnessed many of those individuals feeling pain and suffering alone. Intimacy and sexuality can be difficult to discuss and can impact your mental health and well-being.
My name is Veronica and I am a Registered Psychologist with the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia. I hold a Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology and a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology (MCP). In the past, I have worked directly with individuals experiencing a range of diverse issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma and sexuality-based issues. Most commonly, I witnessed many of those individuals feeling pain and suffering alone. Intimacy and sexuality can be difficult to discuss and can impact your mental health and well-being.
If you come from an Asian background or grew up in an Asian immigrant family, you may carry expectations, cultural conflict and a constant sense of not being good enough.
I help you make sense of the emotions and patterns that have been shaping your life and your relationships. Through EMDR and Internal Family Systems, we ease the weight of past experiences and the stress your body has been carrying. With the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy, I support couples in rebuilding trust, communication and closeness.
If you come from an Asian background or grew up in an Asian immigrant family, you may carry expectations, cultural conflict and a constant sense of not being good enough.
I help you make sense of the emotions and patterns that have been shaping your life and your relationships. Through EMDR and Internal Family Systems, we ease the weight of past experiences and the stress your body has been carrying. With the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy, I support couples in rebuilding trust, communication and closeness.
I work with individuals who feel stuck despite insight - often after therapy that has helped, but not fully resolved what lies beneath. Many of the people I work with are thoughtful and self-aware, yet continue to find themselves repeating patterns in relationships, struggling with a persistent sense of disconnection, or feeling that something essential is missing. Together, we look beyond surface-level symptoms to understand the deeper emotional, cognitive, and relational patterns shaping your experience.
I work with individuals who feel stuck despite insight - often after therapy that has helped, but not fully resolved what lies beneath. Many of the people I work with are thoughtful and self-aware, yet continue to find themselves repeating patterns in relationships, struggling with a persistent sense of disconnection, or feeling that something essential is missing. Together, we look beyond surface-level symptoms to understand the deeper emotional, cognitive, and relational patterns shaping your experience.
As a first-generation Filipino-Canadian, I’ve witnessed the power of connection, storytelling, healing and community- values that guide how I show up in our work together, with curiosity, compassion, and care.
I also integrate parts work and somatic exercises to help tune into the wisdom of your body, release stored tension, and build nervous system resilience. I believe therapy is most effective when it feels like a genuine human-to-human connection. My approach is relational and collaborative, ultimately creating space where you feel seen, heard, and valued.
As a first-generation Filipino-Canadian, I’ve witnessed the power of connection, storytelling, healing and community- values that guide how I show up in our work together, with curiosity, compassion, and care.
I also integrate parts work and somatic exercises to help tune into the wisdom of your body, release stored tension, and build nervous system resilience. I believe therapy is most effective when it feels like a genuine human-to-human connection. My approach is relational and collaborative, ultimately creating space where you feel seen, heard, and valued.
Stella helps her clients make sense of overwhelming emotions that are getting in the way of life, navigate difficult relationships, think in ways that are more fruitful, heal and move forward from hurts, and grow in self awareness and resilience. She has helped clients struggling with depression, anxiety, anger, grief, loss of relationships, low self-esteem, family conflicts, parenting issues, marital/dating issues, work place issues, insomnia, career transition and Christian faith issues. She has years of experience helping people from various cultures, and is fluent in English and Cantonese.
Stella helps her clients make sense of overwhelming emotions that are getting in the way of life, navigate difficult relationships, think in ways that are more fruitful, heal and move forward from hurts, and grow in self awareness and resilience. She has helped clients struggling with depression, anxiety, anger, grief, loss of relationships, low self-esteem, family conflicts, parenting issues, marital/dating issues, work place issues, insomnia, career transition and Christian faith issues. She has years of experience helping people from various cultures, and is fluent in English and Cantonese.
Does this sound like you and your relationship? You fight in circles about the same (petty) things and don’t know how to make it better. Minor disagreements can erupt into full-blown arguments. You walk on eggshells to avoid conflicts. You don’t feel the same connection and closeness to your partner. You wonder if this is it…or if there is hope for your relationship. If you are feeling tired, hopeless, and exasperated, you’re in the right place. I help couples stop vicious cycles of fights and start communicating in a healthy and effective way, so both partners feel heard and understood; restoring trust and connection in your bond.
Does this sound like you and your relationship? You fight in circles about the same (petty) things and don’t know how to make it better. Minor disagreements can erupt into full-blown arguments. You walk on eggshells to avoid conflicts. You don’t feel the same connection and closeness to your partner. You wonder if this is it…or if there is hope for your relationship. If you are feeling tired, hopeless, and exasperated, you’re in the right place. I help couples stop vicious cycles of fights and start communicating in a healthy and effective way, so both partners feel heard and understood; restoring trust and connection in your bond.
With 15 years of experience in psychotherapy and counselling, I have been working with adults and young adults who are struggling with their feelings, relationships or even life. At times, we may get stuck, feel overwhelmed or even lost. In face of these challenges, it is not uncommon to run away from them, or fight so hard trying to get rid of them. More often than not, neither way leads to a peaceful mind. I am here to walk with you in these struggles, work with you to navigate in a direction which aligns more with your values and leads to a more peaceful, meaningful and satisfying life.
With 15 years of experience in psychotherapy and counselling, I have been working with adults and young adults who are struggling with their feelings, relationships or even life. At times, we may get stuck, feel overwhelmed or even lost. In face of these challenges, it is not uncommon to run away from them, or fight so hard trying to get rid of them. More often than not, neither way leads to a peaceful mind. I am here to walk with you in these struggles, work with you to navigate in a direction which aligns more with your values and leads to a more peaceful, meaningful and satisfying life.
Shalene Takara is a Registered Clinical Counsellor - Approved Clinical Supervisor (RCC-ACS) and owner of Safe Space Counselling Services in Vancouver, BC, Canada. She holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and has been working in the field of mental health since 2009. Since 2012, she has been providing individual, couples and family therapy in nonprofit, agency and private-practice settings. She specializes in helping individuals, couples, parents and families overcome trauma, strengthen relationships, heal from family-of-origin issues, and support social and emotional well-being and development.
Shalene Takara is a Registered Clinical Counsellor - Approved Clinical Supervisor (RCC-ACS) and owner of Safe Space Counselling Services in Vancouver, BC, Canada. She holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and has been working in the field of mental health since 2009. Since 2012, she has been providing individual, couples and family therapy in nonprofit, agency and private-practice settings. She specializes in helping individuals, couples, parents and families overcome trauma, strengthen relationships, heal from family-of-origin issues, and support social and emotional well-being and development.
Let's face it, finding the right counsellor fit can be intimidating. Having to share vulnerably with a stranger is not something that most people find comfortable and yet the benefits can be transformative when the environment is right. The approach I take as a counsellor is often described as a mix of casual and easy-going with a matching of investigative curiosity and problem-solving. The goal of my work is to help clients deepen their understanding of themselves, their situation, and their environment so that they can best make an informed decision on how to move forward and ultimately improve their quality of life and agency.
Let's face it, finding the right counsellor fit can be intimidating. Having to share vulnerably with a stranger is not something that most people find comfortable and yet the benefits can be transformative when the environment is right. The approach I take as a counsellor is often described as a mix of casual and easy-going with a matching of investigative curiosity and problem-solving. The goal of my work is to help clients deepen their understanding of themselves, their situation, and their environment so that they can best make an informed decision on how to move forward and ultimately improve their quality of life and agency.
If you're navigating anxiety, stress, or relationship difficulties, you may sense that something needs to change, even if you're not yet sure what. I work with adults, young adults, and students including 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC clients, who are ready to better understand themselves and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
Together we build self-awareness, develop effective coping strategies, and strengthen your resilience , so you can approach life's challenges feeling grounded rather than overwhelmed. My practice is a culturally sensitive, affirming space where your full identity is respected and understood.
If you're navigating anxiety, stress, or relationship difficulties, you may sense that something needs to change, even if you're not yet sure what. I work with adults, young adults, and students including 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC clients, who are ready to better understand themselves and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
Together we build self-awareness, develop effective coping strategies, and strengthen your resilience , so you can approach life's challenges feeling grounded rather than overwhelmed. My practice is a culturally sensitive, affirming space where your full identity is respected and understood.
Hey, I’m Melanie! I’m a sex therapist trained in EMDR, with an identity of being bicultural (Singaporean/Canadian), demisexual, and a ciswoman who is also familiar with polyamory. I've also recently been dipping into my own neurodivergency. I bring my whole self to this work so you can feel safe bringing yours.
My ‘way of therapy’ is anchored in the core human experience. I view therapy through an existential lens (often using parts work and narrative therapy)—so basically, I like to look at the "big questions" in addition to your immediate needs.
I work with all types of folks, but I am most effective when we are navigating:
Hey, I’m Melanie! I’m a sex therapist trained in EMDR, with an identity of being bicultural (Singaporean/Canadian), demisexual, and a ciswoman who is also familiar with polyamory. I've also recently been dipping into my own neurodivergency. I bring my whole self to this work so you can feel safe bringing yours.
My ‘way of therapy’ is anchored in the core human experience. I view therapy through an existential lens (often using parts work and narrative therapy)—so basically, I like to look at the "big questions" in addition to your immediate needs.
I work with all types of folks, but I am most effective when we are navigating:
I provide a warm and quiet place for you to uncover the wisdom in your life. The struggles we face are opportunities to discover new horizons of meaning, perspectives that give way to purpose. I believe in building trust and rapport in the therapeutic relationship, so that each client can claim their healing and forge their paths forward. I work with those who struggle with stress, anxiety, life transitions, lifestyle (sleep, exercise, routines) and relationship issues. I also work with couples who struggle to change negative patterns in their relationships.
I provide a warm and quiet place for you to uncover the wisdom in your life. The struggles we face are opportunities to discover new horizons of meaning, perspectives that give way to purpose. I believe in building trust and rapport in the therapeutic relationship, so that each client can claim their healing and forge their paths forward. I work with those who struggle with stress, anxiety, life transitions, lifestyle (sleep, exercise, routines) and relationship issues. I also work with couples who struggle to change negative patterns in their relationships.
See more therapy options for Vancouver
Nearby Asian Counsellors Searches for Vancouver
- Burnaby
- Coquitlam
- Delta
- New Westminster
- North Vancouver
- Pitt Meadows
- Port Coquitlam
- Port Moody
- Richmond
- Surrey
- West Vancouver
- White Rock
FAQ - Asian Counselling
What can an Asian therapist help with?
An Asian therapist can help with the same concerns as any other therapist, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, stress, grief, and major life transitions. How an Asian therapist can make the experience feel different, however, is the possibility of shared cultural understanding. If you identify with a background such as Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, Korean, Vietnamese, or Japanese, working with a therapist who shares or understands aspects of your culture may help you feel more comfortable opening up on such topics.
What role can language play in therapy?
Language can play an important role in therapy because people often express emotions, family dynamics, and personal experiences differently depending on the language they are speaking. For some individuals, working with a therapist who speaks their native language, whether it be Mandarin, Cantonese, Hindi, Korean, Vietnamese, or another language, may help sessions feel more natural and emotionally connected. Even if you are fluent in English, certain thoughts or feelings may still feel easier to communicate in your native language.
How can an Asian therapist support couples counseling or family therapy?
Cultural background can play an important role in couples counseling and family therapy, particularly when family expectations, communication styles, generational differences, or cultural traditions are influencing the relationship. An Asian therapist may help partners and family members navigate these topics with more cultural understanding and less need to explain the context behind them. For multicultural or multilingual families, a Asian therapist who is bilingual may also help ensure that each person feels heard and understood during sessions.
How might I inquire about a therapist’s experience with Asian clients?
If cultural background is important to you in therapy, it can be helpful to ask prospective therapists whether they have experience working with clients who share your cultural background or speak your preferred language. In initial conversations with potential therapists, you might also ask whether they have worked with clients experiencing concerns related to identity, intergenerational conflict, family expectations, or cultural stigma around mental health.
Who is included in Psychology Today’s directory of Asian therapists?
The directory of Asian therapists includes professionals who have shared their ethnicity in their profiles. Psychology Today uses this information to assist clients in finding a therapist who can provide a cultural match. However, not all therapists choose to disclose their ethnicity in their profiles, and they may not appear in search results for this reason; also, when the number of therapists identified as Asian is limited, the directory will also show therapists with comprehensive experience working with clients from relevant backgrounds.