I hold Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia and I am certified by Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association as a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC). My therapeutic approach includes Cognitive-Behavioural theory with roots in Positive Psychology that focuses on a person’s strengths, desire to live meaningful and fulfilling life, and cultivating the best within themselves to enhance their life experiences. I also integrate Mindfulness-based interventions to help my clients to focus on the present moments to bring awareness to the internal processes and understanding of the thoughts and behavior patterns.

My professional experience includes working with a wide range of clients concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress management, dealing with transitional times, career issues, relational and communication problems and many others. I know very well life can be difficult sometimes and we all need a little encouragement, guidance, and support to get through rough times. I will meet you where you are and stay with you throughout your journey to successful change.

I strongly believe that a compassionate and trusting therapeutic alliance is one of the keys to successful change, therefore one of my main goals is to create a safe and warm environment for the client to be able to share their concerns. Together we will identify the issues to be worked on, develop the treatment plan and strategies to reach the goals of the therapy.

I enjoy helping the clients to learn how to be aware of their thinking and behavioural patterns, to bring awareness to their emotional states and, generally, to understand their inner self better. I build interventions tailored to each individual client’s needs to help them to manage and change their emotions, behaviours and to cope with whatever they are dealing with. I do that through a combination of listening, understanding, sharing the experience with the client, and gently guiding towards the change.

My multicultural background and immigration experience help me to relate well to clients experiencing difficulties with acculturation and immigration and helps me to connect with people of diverse ethnic backgrounds. I do have respect and appreciation for differing views, as well as the ability to build a good rapport with diverse populations in multicultural settings.

I am is also offering Brief Therapy approach in my practice. Brief therapy is a model of counselling that emphasizes the use of short-term, solution-focused techniques to help clients achieve their goals in a relatively short period of time. The goal of brief therapy is to help clients identify and utilize their own strengths and resources to solve problems and make positive changes in their lives. This approach is often used in situations where clients have specific, well-defined problems that can be addressed in a limited number of sessions. Brief therapy is typically time-limited, with the number of sessions ranging from a few (typically 6-8) to 20. The focus is on the present and future and helping the client to find the solution, rather than dwelling on the past. Techniques used in brief therapy may include goal-setting, problem-solving, and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). Please, contact us if you have any questions about this model.

If you wish to have more information about me or my availability, please contact our office. I look forward to meeting you and the opportunity to work with you!

I hold Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia an... Read More

Sheri Poulsen, M.A., R.C.C., Registered Clinical Counsellor & Certified Body-Mind Psychotherapist

A compassionate space awaits you. If you are reaching out for help, I invite you to book an appointment with me. I’ll provide you with a safe, warm space so you can take your next steps forward. By starting counselling, you can give yourself a fresh start and chance to stand up for yourself and your self-care. If you’re suffering from a life challenge or crisis, many people feel less overwhelmed after accessing counselling support. You do not need to face your struggle alone. You’ll have my heartfelt accompaniment. Together, we’ll explore a path forward that feels right to you. In working with me, you’ll also have an opportunity to enrich your life with greater meaning and depth, and discover more inner freedom and empowerment.

My Training & Approach

I’m certified as a Registered Clinical Counsellor and have a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology from The University of British Columbia (2003). I am trained and certified in talk therapy and Body-Mind Psychotherapy. As a Body-Mind Psychotherapist, I often offer clients support with ‘embodiment’ – the gentle deep listening to emotional sensations moving in the body. Embodiment can help build self-compassion and self-valuing and give us important and clear information about how we feel and what we may need. Embodiment can help individuals move through strong emotion by connecting to our whole selves. I’m also a Pain Management Specialist certified by PainBC. I have worked with individuals facing complex issues connected to stress, mood, identity, relationships, pain, injury, illness, and grief as they find greater wellness in their life, and lower elevated stress and pain responses in the body. I approach each person with a respect for their unique holistic health, values and inner resources. I utilize evidence-based tools and strategies and help clients develop a more compassionate way of relating to oneself in body, mind, emotions, relationships, unique life context and personal development. I offer my clients a contemplative space to heal and grow in the ways they choose. Helping people connect to their self-value, wholeness, and capacity is something I hold dear to my heart. In my life and in my work as a counsellor, I have experienced that each of us can develop and grow through the many stages and even the most painful challenges of our life. I encourage you to take your first step towards wellness with us at Richmond Counselling & Wellness, a place of authentic welcome and care. You are worth it.

Sheri Poulsen, M.A., R.C.C., Registered Clinical Counsellor & Certified Body-Mind Psychothera... Read More

In times of struggle and uncertainty, it’s essential to remember that you don’t have to face challenges alone.

I’m Claire Liu, a Registered Clinical Counsellor, dedicated to providing compassionate mental health care for children, adolescents, and adults experiencing psychological distress. With over four years of experience in public hospitals and various therapeutic settings, along with more than a decade of working with the neurodivergent population, I strive to help individuals unlock their potential and lead fulfilling lives.

Together, we’ll create a safe and trusting space where you can truly be yourself—where your feelings, thoughts, and experiences are genuinely valued. I believe that healing occurs in relationships, and my goal is to help you navigate life’s challenges, finding new paths toward hope and meaningful change.

I specialize in a broad range of issues, including anxiety, depression, anger management, OCD, phobias, trauma and abuse histories, grief and loss, ADHD & ADD, behavioral challenges, social skills, and relationship concerns, including parent-child dynamics. My approach is tailored to your unique needs, drawing from evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness and Play Therapy. By exploring the connections between your emotions, thoughts, and body, I’ll assist you in transforming distress into insight and rediscovering your strength.

Throughout my career, I have collaborated with multidisciplinary teams and provided psychoeducational support to individuals and families, ensuring that both children and parents are equipped with the tools they need for emotional well-being. My diverse experiences have allowed me to develop a holistic understanding of mental health, emphasizing the importance of family dynamics and community support. I offer services in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, and I look forward to the opportunity to work together to help you and your family thrive. If you are seeking guidance for yourself or your loved ones, please feel free to reach out via email or phone. I would be delighted to discuss how I can assist you on your mental health journey.

In times of struggle and uncertainty, it’s essential to remember that you don’t have to face chal... Read More

I am Andrew Lee and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC # 2550). I am dedicated to providing personalized therapy to clients seeking healing, treatment, support, and guidance for various mental health difficulties and life challenges. I empower individuals to cultivate a greater sense of meaning, purpose, peace, joy, and self-compassion in life.

With over 18 years of experience in the field, I have treated many adolescents and adults from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds and helped them overcome:

Depression, Loneliness/Isolation, Couple/ Intimate relationship problems, Sadness, Anger, Anxiety, Fear, Shame/Guilt, Mood Swing, Impulsivity, Psychosis, Dissociation, Suicidal Ideation, Self-Harm, Borderline Personality, Trauma, Work related Issues Disordered Eating, Substance Use, Low Self-Esteem, Life/School/Family/Work Problems, Obsessive Compulsive Behaviours, Neurodivergent Challenges.

It is my great passion to provide marriage/couple counselling and enhance intimate and romantic relationships to help nurture healthy love/attachment, emotion connection, and effective communication.

I am highly experienced and effective in treating emotional and behavioural dysregulation and performing skills training and coaching so that clients can become more and more resilient with the skills and strategies I help them acquire. While treating adolescent clients, I have also helped many parents and caregivers address various parenting and attachment concerns and supported them in improving their own mental health well-being. In my practice, I collaborate with psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, occupational therapists, and academic/educational professionals when necessary.

As I focus on building a warm, compassionate, inspirational, collaborative, and effective therapeutic relationship, I am committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment where clients and their family members can feel validated and accepted so they can freely discuss their struggles and work towards healing and growth.

I utilize Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), DBT-Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE), DBT Abstinence, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Exposure Therapy, mindfulness-based approach, metacognitive approach, Client-Directed Outcome-informed Therapy (CDOI), harm reduction, and other evidence-based therapeutic modalities to tailor treatment to each client’s unique needs.** I offer in-person and virtual sessions and I offer weekday and weekend sessions. Furthermore, I am able to provide services in Mandarin (我可以提供中文服務).

I have provided counselling and treatment to many working professionals from different fields, industries, and working environments to help them manage and cope with their work and personal issues, enhance their strength, explore their roles and transitions, and develop their future goals and visions.

Other than the regular 50-minute individual sessions and parent sessions, I specifically provide adapted and extended 80-minute DBT individual therapy sessions to help clients who suffer with moderate/severe/complex emotional, behavioural, and/or interpersonal dysfunction as well as borderline personality traits.

As I am blessed with having DBT clinical and therapeutic capacity, I am also a DBT supervisor, trainer, and mentor. In 2017, I completed DBT supervisor and mentor training arranged by the Ministry of Child and Family Development. I have been providing numerous DBT training to mental health and education professionals and developing DBT treatment services in the public system.

In addition to providing therapy and counselling, I was a clinical supervisor and team leader for various mental health programs in Vancouver, including child and adolescent mental health crisis intervention team, DBT team for youth/young adult concurrent disorder, community child & adolescent mental health programs, youth substance use prevention programs, mental health program for alternative education program students, and youth day treatment mental health program.

I thank you very much for visiting my profile page and I would love to have the opportunity to empower and support you through your healing and recovery journey.

I am Andrew Lee and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC # 2550). I am dedicated to providi... Read More

About me

I am a licensed psychologist with the College of Health and care Professionals of BC.

I work with adolescents and adults dealing with anxiety, depression, addictions, grief/loss, conflict management, work stress, life transitions, and self-esteem.

My personal experience with immigration and the interest I have in my clients’ cultural understanding and background, allows me to work well clients who want to explore their cultural identity, address issues related to diversity and acculturation, or need help with the challenges related to immigration and settlement.

My therapeutic approaches consist of well-researched treatment approaches including: Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Emotion Focused Therapy. As the needs of each person are unique, I believe in creating a personalized therapeutic experience for each client.

If you choose to work with me, it would be an honour to assist you in creating the enthusiasm-filled, satisfying life you deserve.

Guide for my clients

1. Normally, when a client decides to enter therapy, it’s because life isn’t working as well as it could be. You are showing strength and caring for yourself in being willing to address the issues in your life in order to find new happiness. This is a major step and one that needs to be appreciated!

2. I encourage people to view counselling as a gift to yourself, one that will be an investment in your present and future health and well being.

3. Counselling is a very unique experience and your experience will be different from all others. There is no one “formula” that will work for everyone and because of this, it’s very important to feel comfortable with your therapist.

4. Therapy is not just one hour every one or two weeks. It is a commitment to change your life. I will be asking you to try new behaviours and new ways of viewing your world in our sessions. The more energy you put into these changes outside of our sessions, the more positive the outcomes will be in your life.

About me I am a licensed psychologist with the College of Health and care Professionals of BC. ... Read More

My name is Kelly Kavanagh (MA, MEd, L.Psych) co-owner of Richmond Couples and Child Counselling (RCCC), located directly across from the Richmond Hospital. I am a psychologist working exclusively with children, adolescents and families in need of help. Before opening my private practice, I worked in Richmond as a Mental Health Therapist at both the Richmond School Program (RSP) and the Child and Adolescent Program (CAP) and have over 15 years of experience in mental health with children. As I am a Licensed Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of BC, my clients can use their Extended Health Benefits to get reimbursed for the cost of counselling sessions.

I work exclusively with children and adolescents (ages 3-19) around such issues as: school related problems; ADHD & ADD; behavioural support; separation and divorce; step-families; social skills; anxiety; phobias; OCD; depression; abuse histories; trauma and debriefing; grief and loss; and parenting concerns. I use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Graduated Exposure Therapy, Play Therapy, Sand-tray work, and Art Therapy to help children express themselves, problem-solve, and combat rigid or unhealthy thoughts or beliefs, and make new meaning of traumatic situations. During family therapy sessions I advocate for the needs of children when parents are trapped in divorce or separation proceedings and offer parenting strategies to deal with diagnoses that impact the whole family.

I have successfully treated children with a variety of issues as an Alcohol and Drug Counsellor, a Child-Abuse Treatment Counsellor, a Brief-Intervention Counsellor, a Mental Health Therapist in the community, and a crisis response therapist with the Child and Adolescent Response Team (CART) in Vancouver. These work experiences and my work with RSP and CAP have allowed for lots of experience collaborating with school staff, classroom teachers, school counsellors, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, psychiatrists and paediatricians to assist children with mental health issues. My additional training as a teacher and special educator helps direct my work with children struggling with ADD or ADHD and other school related issues and helps me understand the constraints of the classroom environment.

In my private practice at RCCC, I work very closely with parents to make sure that we set up an environment where children can have the best chance of academic, social, and behavioural success and a harmonious, happy and loving space at home for all family members.

If you have any questions about how I could help you and your family, please contact me by email or phone. I would be happy to talk with you about the services I provide, my fees or any other questions you may have.

I would be delighted to get the opportunity to work with you and your family and help put your child(ren) on the path to a happier and healthier childhood.

My name is Kelly Kavanagh (MA, MEd, L.Psych) co-owner of Richmond Couples and Child Counselling (... Read More

I’m Dr. Jonathan McVicar, but I prefer that my clients call me Jonathan if they’re comfortable with that. My belief, when it comes to counselling, is that most people don’t want to come for counselling for the rest of their life. They usually want help with an area or aspect of their life that is causing them pain or discomfort and once that issue is resolved, they want to go back to living without counselling. This is my goal in working with my clients. How I usually explain it is that my job is to put myself out of a job and I take this very seriously.

Background and Training

I’ve often had clients ask me about my training and how long I’ve been counselling and I’m always happy to provide this information as I want my clients to have confidence in my ability to help them. I’ve been working with clients now for 20 years around many issues such as: depression, anxiety, relationship challenges (including infidelity, and divorce / separation among others), grief and loss, trauma and abuse, OCD, and personal growth.

All of my degrees come from UBC (BA, MA, and PhD) with my graduate degrees being in Counselling Psychology. I completed my Doctoral Internship and was hired on as an Assistant Professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Counselling Centre in St. John’s, NL where my wife Kelly and I lived for 3 years.

How I Work

The style of counselling I’ve been trained in is Client-Centered in its approach. What this means is that one of the most important things to me is that my clients always feel cared for as they’re telling me about their lives. I want them always to feel and understand that their concerns matter and that they are never being judged for any of the thoughts, feelings, or behaviours that they tell me about.

I use a variety of different techniques and approaches based on the concerns that each person brings in. However, as each person that I’ve ever met is a unique individual, it’s impossible and ineffective to try to use the same technique with every person. What this means is that I tailor my sessions to the need of each person based on their goals, backgrounds, personality, and learning styles.

I’m Dr. Jonathan McVicar, but I prefer that my clients call me Jonathan if they’re comfortable wi... Read More

Life can feel stuck sometimes, but please know that you’re not alone.

As a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), I draw from a diverse toolkit — including Family Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Expressive Arts Therapy, Sensory-informed Executive Functioning Training, Solution-focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy and Positive Behavior Support (PBS) — together, we will select the approaches that are most effective for you.

I believe everyone has their unique strengths, potentials and beauty. Despite the complexities of life, you have these inner resources within you, and I value them. This is a safe space for you to reflect on yourself and your situation, with me as the facilitator on this journey of healing and self-exploration.

Please don’t feel burdened by needing the right words or a clear agenda for our sessions. I will be right here with you, helping to organize your thoughts and find the pace and treatment approaches that suit you best. Even if you feel like you have things handled, counselling can always provide a boost for personal growth and renewal. I do this often myself and am continually surprised and amazed by the different sides and potentials within me.

Over the past 10 years, I have worked with families in schools, hospitals, and family centers. My practice has always been family-focused. I support a wide demographic, including children as young as three, adolescents, parents from diverse family structures, and adult individuals who feel tangled in prolonged difficult family dynamics.

Since 2015, I have specialized in supporting neurodiverse individuals and their families. I hold a Master’s degree in Counselling with a focus on Special Needs from The Chinese University of Hong Kong along with additional professional certifications in related areas.

Outside of work, I enjoy nature, judo, and Gu Zheng.

I speak fluent English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.

我是加拿大BC省認可的註冊臨床輔導員 (RCC #22421)。我常用的輔導療法包括家庭治療 (Family Therapy)、敘事治療 (Narrative Therapy)、認知行為治療 (CBT)、表達藝術治療(Expressive Arts Therapy)、執行功能訓練 (Executive Functioning Training)、焦點解決短期治療 (Solution-focused Therapy) 及正向行為支援 (Positive Behavior Support)。在輔導的過程，我們會一同尋覓最適合你的方案。

我深信每個人都是獨特而美麗的。無論你正遭遇甚麼，我相信你必定有着豐富的內在資源，等待我們去發掘與發展。在輔導的過程中，我會幫助你梳理你的思緒，和你一同探討有甚麼隱藏根源在影響着你現正面對的處境，甚或在導致你不斷重覆跌入同樣的境況。你毋需擔心要怎樣開始，要說什麼，我們會一同探索一個最適合你的輔導計劃。即使你感覺現階段一切還好，你亦可以透過心理輔導，尋求個人成長與更新。就像保養身體一樣，定期照顧自己的精神健康，發展自我，才可以活出你本來應有的光彩。

我曾先後於學校、醫院、家庭中心等大型機構工作逾十年。我一直熱忱於以家庭為核心的全人關懷，服務對象從三歲幼童、青少年、多元家庭結構的家長、至受原生家庭困擾的成年人。

自2015年以來，我開始服務有特殊需要的家庭。我是香港中文大學的「學校諮商與輔導碩士」，專修「特殊需要」。我亦修畢了多個特殊需要的文憑課程。自閉症譜系障礙（ASD）、專注力失調/過度活躍症（ADHD）、智力障礙（ID）、強迫症（OCD）均是我的專業範疇。

工作以外，我熱愛大自然、柔道、古箏。

我能說流利英語、粵語及國語。

Life can feel stuck sometimes, but please know that you’re not alone. As a Registered Clinical C... Read More

Welcome, I’m Dr. Ron! There are many different reasons people might seek counselling. You may be looking for support for something specific or you might feel something’s just been off and want help figuring it out. In either case, it can often be difficult to articulate. Wherever you’re at in your process of personal growth or recovery, I’m here to join with you and help you on your journey. I see adults across a wide range of developmental life stages and have specialized training in working with young adults.

Background and Training

I am a Licensed Psychologist (BC #2607) and am also credentialed by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. I am also a member of the British Columbia Psychological Association. I graduated with my B.Sc. from UBC before moving to New York for my M.S. in Mental Health Counseling at The University at Albany, SUNY, followed by my doctorate from Springfield College’s APA-accredited Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology program in Massachusetts. I completed my APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at San José State University and my postdoctoral residency at The University of California, San Diego. Prior to joining Richmond Counselling & Wellness, I worked at The University of Washington in Seattle as a licensed psychologist and supervisor of pre-doctoral psychology interns.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with a very diverse range of individuals across various life stages in university, community mental health, and residential settings. I have 15 years of combined graduate and post-graduate clinical experience with many different presenting concerns, including depression, anxiety, social and intimate relationship challenges, interpersonal trauma, family-related concerns, and identity exploration.

How I Work

I have an integrative practice that’s based on a strong client-centered foundation of compassionate care and non-judgment. Depending on the client’s needs and preferences, we may engage in a combination of solution-focused, behavioral work, as well as more exploratory, emotionally-focused depth work. I work collaboratively with clients to help them move towards values-congruent behavioral changes in their lives. More broadly, I work from an anti-oppression framework that examines the external and systemic barriers clients may face, including those belonging to underrepresented and marginalized groups, in order to provide culturally responsive and trauma-informed care. I am able to see clients residing anywhere in BC via telehealth.

What Does a First Session Look Like?

Whether you’ve had past therapy experiences or it’s your first time, it can still be intimidating to meet with someone new and to figure out if you feel like it’s a good fit for you. My greatest priority is to create a safe environment for you as the client, which forms the foundation of the therapeutic space and relationship between us. During our first meeting, we’ll have a conversation about your journey with mental health, your current needs and goals for counselling, and what our work together will look like.

Please note that Dr. Ron offers virtual sessions only.

Welcome, I’m Dr. Ron! There are many different reasons people might seek counselling. You may be ... Read More