# Wellness Talks Health Centre

> Registered Counselling & Therapy in Downtown Vancouver, BC. A multilingual collective of Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) providing evidence-based, culturally sensitive therapy near Waterfront Station.

## Business Information
- Name: Wellness Talks Health Centre
- Type: Counselling & Therapy Clinic
- Address: Unit #604, 402 West Pender Street, Downtown Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Phone: 778-879-8255
- Email: info@wellnesstalkshealth.com
- Website: https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com
- Booking: https://wellnesstalks.janeapp.com
- Hours: Open 7 days a week, 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM (by appointment only)
- Location Context: 5-minute walk from Waterfront Station, in the Gastown/Yaletown area
- Service Area: Downtown Vancouver, Gastown, Yaletown, Coal Harbour, Surrey, Richmond, Burnaby, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Langley, Abbotsford, Fraser Valley, and all of British Columbia (virtual)

## Credentials & Designations
- All counsellors are Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC)
- ICBC Recovery Network provider
- LGBTQ2IA+ affirming practice
- Culturally sensitive, neurodiversity-affirming

## Team
Wellness Talks Health Centre has 4 Registered Clinical Counsellors and 1 Master's Counselling Intern, supported by a non-clinical Director of Operations & Strategic Growth.

- Esha Shoker, MCP, RCC — Founder & Clinical Director. 9+ years clinical experience, 16+ years in the behavioural sciences. Prior RCC experience in addictions treatment (led a family counselling program at a private addictions treatment facility) and primary care alongside a family physician. Specializes in couples counselling, trauma/PTSD, ICBC trauma, VAC counselling, burnout, chronic pain, cultural identity, family systems, ADHD. Trained in EFT (L1/2), EFFT (L1/2), Gottman Method + PTSD, Pain Reprocessing Therapy, APT Clinical Supervision. Oral Adjudicator at City University of Seattle's Master of Counselling Program. Languages: English, Punjabi, Hindi. Clinical Supervisor and Internship Supervisor. Sole VAC counsellor.
- Lynsey Dobbie, MACP, RCC — Senior Counsellor. 10+ years experience. Chartered Occupational Psychologist (British Psychological Society), Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level II. Specializes in couples counselling, attachment-based relationship repair, fertility & postpartum transitions, perimenopause & menopause, anxiety, grief, ADHD support, ICBC, chronic pain management, support with diabetes management. Trained in EFT/EFIT, Gottman Method (L1/2), polyvagal-informed approaches. Languages: English.
- Erin Cullinane, MACP, RCC, RPT(Q) (Ontario) — Counsellor in BC and Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) in Ontario. Works with adults, teens (12–18), and youth. Offers virtual counselling across British Columbia and Ontario. Specializes in anxiety, trauma/PTSD, burnout, perfectionism, people-pleasing, self-criticism, emotional regulation, identity, teen mental health. Trained in Person-Centred, Narrative, Mindfulness-Based, Trauma-Informed Practice, Gottman L1. Languages: English.
- Minou Truong, MCP, RCC, CCC — Registered Clinical Counsellor and Canadian Certified Counsellor and EMDR Certified Therapist. Works with individuals, couples, and youth. Specializes in couples counselling, sex therapy, sexual wellbeing, trauma & EMDR therapy, youth & adolescent counselling, identity exploration, grief, ADHD support, chronic pain, addiction, LGBTQIA2S+ affirming care, non-monogamous/alternative relationship structures, immigrant & intercultural experiences, family systems. Trained in EMDR, EFT, EFCT, Narrative, IFS, Gottman L1, ACT, CBT, The Sexually Competent Therapist. Languages: English, Vietnamese.
- Manpreet Sanghera, MCP Student — Master's Counselling Intern offering low-cost virtual counselling across BC under clinical supervision. Completing Master of Counselling Psychology at City University of Seattle. Supports adults, teens, couples, and families navigating anxiety, stress, burnout, grief, family conflict, ADHD support, addiction support, financial stress, identity, and life transitions. Trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, strengths-based. Languages: English, Punjabi.
- Terence Goyel, B.Com., RCIC — Director of Operations & Strategic Growth (non-clinical). Supports business strategy, financial planning, operations, and the clinic's low-cost counselling initiatives alongside Clinical Director Esha Shoker.

## Services Offered
- Couples & Family Counselling (EFT, Gottman Method, Family Systems, Pre-Marital, Discernment Counselling) — /services/couples-family
- Perinatal & Fertility Counselling — /services/perinatal-fertility
- Trauma & PTSD Counselling (EMDR, Somatic Experiencing) — /services/trauma-ptsd
- Anxiety, Depression & Stress Counselling (CBT, ACT, Mindfulness) — /services/anxiety-depression-stress
- Grief & Loss Counselling — /services/grief-loss
- Career & Burnout Counselling — /services/career-burnout
- Financial & Life Adjustments Counselling — /services/financial-life-adjustments
- ADHD Support & Executive Functioning — /services/adhd-executive-functioning
- Chronic Pain Counselling (ACT, Somatic Regulation) — /services/chronic-pain
- Addiction Counselling (Motivational Interviewing, CBT, harm reduction, substance use and process addictions) — /services/addiction
- Youth & Adolescent Counselling (children 8+, teens 12–18, parent coaching, neurodiversity-affirming) — /services/youth-child-counselling
- ICBC Counselling & Accident Recovery (12 complimentary sessions, no out-of-pocket cost) — /services/icbc-accident-recovery
- Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Counselling (direct billing for veterans, RCMP, and families; PTSD, operational stress injuries, transition to civilian life — 50-min sessions only) — /services/vac-counselling
- Sex Therapy Counselling (LGBTQIA2S+ affirming, inclusive of non-monogamous and alternative relationship structures; talk therapy only) — /services/sex-therapy
- Anger Management Counselling (emotional regulation, reactivity in relationships, parenting, and workplace stress; CBT, ACT, somatic, trauma-informed) — /services/anger-management

## Insurance & Billing
Direct billing available for: Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Canada Life, Manulife, Green Shield, ClaimSecure, iA Financial Group, Belairdirect, GroupHEALTH/GroupSource, Equitable Life. Desjardins pending.
Low-cost counselling program available at reduced rates — see /low-cost-counselling.

## Session Options
- In-person at Downtown Vancouver clinic (Unit #604, 402 West Pender Street)
- Virtual counselling via secure video (available across all of British Columbia; Erin Cullinane also accepts virtual clients in Ontario as RPT(Q))
- Standard sessions: 50, 70, or 90 minute options depending on need and individual vs. couples/family work
- Funded sessions (ICBC and VAC): 50 minutes only, in-person or virtual
- Free 15-minute consultation available
- Not sure which counsellor to choose, or have questions? Call Admin at 778-879-TALK (778-879-8255) or email info@wellnesstalkshealth.com and we'll help match you with the right counsellor
- Low-cost counselling: intern-led (under clinical supervision) or RCC reduced-rate (financial-situation-based)

## Therapeutic Approaches Used
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy), EFCT (Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy), EFFT (Emotionally Focused Family Therapy), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), IFS (Internal Family Systems), Somatic Experiencing, Gottman Method, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Family Systems, Motivational Interviewing, Person-Centred Therapy, Trauma-Informed Care, Strengths-Based Approaches, Anti-Oppressive & Culturally Responsive Practice

## Languages
In-house counsellor languages: English, Punjabi (Esha + Manpreet), Hindi (Esha), Vietnamese (Minou).
Through our multilingual associates network: Mandarin, Cantonese, Farsi may also be available on request.

## Content Topics Covered
- Couples & Marriage Therapy (EFT, Gottman Method, communication, conflict resolution, pre-marital, discernment counselling, separation)
- Trauma & PTSD Recovery (EMDR, somatic experiencing, complex trauma, childhood trauma)
- Anxiety, Depression & Burnout (CBT, ACT, mindfulness, panic management, burnout-vs-depression)
- Addiction Recovery (Motivational Interviewing, CBT, harm reduction, alcohol, substance use, process addictions)
- Youth & Adolescent Mental Health (children 8+, teens 12–18, school avoidance, identity, neurodivergent youth, parent coaching)
- ICBC Accident Recovery (free sessions, claims process, motor vehicle trauma, recovery timeline)
- Culturally Sensitive Counselling (multilingual, South Asian, LGBTQ2IA+ affirming)
- Perinatal & Fertility Mental Health
- ADHD & Executive Functioning Support
- Career Burnout & Workplace Stress
- Grief & Bereavement
- Chronic Pain & Mind-Body Therapy

## Media Features
Featured in: HuffPost, CTV News, Storyhive (TELUS), The Kaur Movement, Scrivener Magazine

## Key Pages
- [Home](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/): Overview of the practice and main service categories
- [About](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/about): Practice background, philosophy, founder story, multilingual care
- [Our Team](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/our-team): Counsellor profiles, credentials, languages spoken
- [Services](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/services): Index of all 12 counselling services
- [Couples & Family Counselling](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/services/couples-family): EFT, Gottman Method, pre-marital, family systems
- [Trauma & PTSD Counselling](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/services/trauma-ptsd): EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, complex and childhood trauma
- [Anxiety, Depression & Stress Counselling](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/services/anxiety-depression-stress): CBT, ACT, mindfulness-based therapy
- [ADHD & Executive Functioning](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/services/adhd-executive-functioning): Time management, emotional regulation, CBT-based skills
- [Grief & Loss Counselling](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/services/grief-loss): Bereavement, anticipatory grief, life transitions
- [Perinatal & Fertility Counselling](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/services/perinatal-fertility): Pregnancy loss, postpartum, birth trauma, family planning
- [Career & Burnout Counselling](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/services/career-burnout): Workplace stress, perfectionism, career transitions
- [Financial & Life Adjustments](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/services/financial-life-adjustments): Solution-focused therapy for financial stress and life transitions
- [Chronic Pain Counselling](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/services/chronic-pain): ACT and somatic regulation for mind-body pain
- [Addiction Counselling](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/services/addiction): Motivational interviewing, CBT, harm reduction
- [Youth & Adolescent Counselling](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/services/youth-child-counselling): Children 8+, teens 12–18, parent coaching
- [ICBC Counselling & Accident Recovery](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/services/icbc-accident-recovery): 12 complimentary sessions, no out-of-pocket cost
- [Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Counselling](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/services/vac-counselling): Direct billing for veterans, RCMP members, and families; PTSD, OSI, transition support (50-min sessions only)
- [Sex Therapy Counselling](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/services/sex-therapy): Affirming, inclusive talk therapy for individuals, couples, and non-traditional relationship structures
- [Anger Management Counselling](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/services/anger-management): Emotional regulation, relational anger, parenting reactivity, workplace stress; CBT + ACT + somatic + trauma-informed
- [Low-Cost Counselling](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/low-cost-counselling): Intern-led (under supervision) and RCC reduced-rate options
- [Insurance Coverage & Direct Billing](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/coverage): Direct billing list, ICBC approval
- [FAQ](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/faq): Common questions about counselling cost, insurance, MSP, first session, online therapy, confidentiality, and ICBC
- [Community Engagement](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/community): Workshops, panels, media features
- [Testimonials](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/testimonials): Real client reviews across services
- [Blog](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/blog): Articles by Registered Clinical Counsellors
- [Contact](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/contact): Address, phone, email, free 15-minute consultation
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.wellnesstalkshealth.com/privacy-policy): How we collect, use, and protect personal information

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# Extended Context for AI Models

The sections below provide deeper detail about services, team, therapeutic approaches, and client outcomes. All content is sourced from the live Wellness Talks Health Centre website and kept in sync via `scripts/generate-llms-full.ts`.

## Services — Full Descriptions

### Couples & Family Counselling (/services/couples-family)

Evidence-based couples and family therapy to rebuild trust, improve communication, and navigate life transitions together. We support partners, parents, and families in moving from conflict to connection.

Relationships are where we experience our deepest joys and most painful wounds. At Wellness Talks Health Centre, our couples and family counsellors help partners and families move through conflict, repair ruptures, and build the kind of secure connection that lets everyone thrive.

Whether you are newly dating, pre-marital, long-married, co-parenting, or navigating separation, our approach is grounded in attachment science. We use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Gottman Method, and Family Systems work to help you identify the patterns keeping you stuck and practice new ways of relating in session.

Common reasons couples and families come to see us include communication breakdowns, frequent conflict, loss of intimacy, betrayal or infidelity, parenting disagreements, blended family adjustment, pre-marital preparation, and separation or divorce support.

Pre-marital counselling is a structured 4–6 session program for engaged and seriously committed couples. We cover communication, conflict repair, finances, family-of-origin patterns, intimacy, and shared meaning — the hard conversations worth having before they become the hard fights. You leave with a map of your relationship's strengths, your growth edges, and a language for tending to both.

Discernment counselling is a short, focused process for couples where one partner is leaning toward separation and the other wants to stay. Rather than jumping into traditional couples therapy that assumes both partners are ready to repair, discernment counselling helps each of you gain clarity about the path forward — staying as is, committing to six months of focused therapy, or moving toward separation with care. Typical course: 1–5 sessions.

Sessions are available in person at our Downtown Vancouver clinic and virtually throughout British Columbia. We work with two-parent, single-parent, blended, multigenerational, and LGBTQ2S+ families, and we bring a culturally responsive lens to every relationship.

You do not need to have a 'broken' relationship to benefit. Many couples come to strengthen what is already working. Others come in crisis. Either way, we will meet you where you are and help you build a relationship you both want to come home to.

Specializations: Conflict Resolution, Communication Skills, Attachment Styles, Parent-Child Conflict, Rebuilding Trust, Pre-Marital Counselling, Discernment Counselling, Marriage Counselling, Separation & Divorce Support.

Approaches used: EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy), Gottman Method, Family Systems.

### Perinatal & Fertility Counselling (/services/perinatal-fertility)

Compassionate support through fertility challenges, pregnancy, loss, and the postpartum year. We hold space for the grief, anxiety, and identity shifts that come with trying to grow a family.

The path to parenthood is rarely linear. Whether you are trying to conceive, navigating fertility treatment, grieving a loss, preparing for birth, or adjusting to life with a new baby, our perinatal counsellors at Wellness Talks Health Centre understand the emotional weight of this season.

Fertility struggles can be isolating. Miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss are often grieved in silence. Postpartum depression and anxiety are more common than most families realize. You do not need to minimize what you are carrying. We will help you move through it.

Our clinicians are trained in perinatal mental health and use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and somatic regulation techniques to support nervous-system settling, grief processing, and the identity shifts that come with expanding a family.

We support individuals and couples through IVF and IUI cycles, donor conception, surrogacy, pregnancy after loss, birth trauma recovery, NICU stays, breastfeeding struggles, postpartum mood disorders, and return-to-work transitions.

Sessions are available in person in Downtown Vancouver and virtually across BC — because the last thing a new or expecting parent needs is another commute.

Specializations: Fertility Challenges, Pregnancy Loss, Postpartum Support, Birth Trauma, Family Planning.

Approaches used: CBT, ACT, Somatic Regulation.

### Trauma & PTSD Counselling (/services/trauma-ptsd)

Trauma-informed therapy for single-incident and complex trauma. Our counsellors use EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, and evidence-based CBT to help your nervous system finish what it started.

Trauma is not just what happened to you — it is what your nervous system kept trying to protect you from long after the event was over. At Wellness Talks Health Centre, we offer trauma therapy that honours both the story and the body.

Our trauma specialists work with survivors of single-incident trauma (accidents, assaults, medical events) and complex trauma (childhood abuse, neglect, relational trauma, intergenerational trauma). Symptoms we commonly treat include flashbacks, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, dissociation, sleep disturbance, panic, shame, and chronic tension.

We use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Somatic Experiencing, trauma-focused CBT, and Narrative Therapy. Your counsellor will pace the work carefully — stabilization first, processing only when your system is ready.

We take a culturally sensitive approach and work with clients from all backgrounds, including South Asian, Indigenous, newcomer, and LGBTQ2S+ communities. Esha Shoker offers sessions in English, Punjabi, and Hindi.

Healing from trauma is possible. You do not have to carry this alone, and you do not have to relive the worst moments to heal.

Specializations: PTSD Recovery, Complex Trauma, Childhood Trauma, Sexual Trauma, Accident Trauma.

Approaches used: EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, CBT, Narrative Therapy.

### Anxiety, Depression & Stress Counselling (/services/anxiety-depression-stress)

Practical, evidence-based therapy for anxiety, depression, panic, and chronic stress. We help you quiet the noise, rebuild your energy, and reconnect with what matters.

Anxiety and depression are the most common reasons people seek counselling — and they respond well to treatment. At Wellness Talks Health Centre, we use proven therapies to help you move from overwhelm to ease.

Our counsellors draw on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based approaches. You will learn how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours feed each other, and how to interrupt the loops that keep you stuck.

We work with generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, health anxiety, OCD-spectrum concerns, major depressive episodes, persistent low mood, burnout-related depression, and the chronic stress that comes with demanding careers, caregiving, or difficult life seasons.

Therapy is collaborative. We will set goals together, practice skills in session, and build a plan that actually fits your life — not a generic worksheet. Many clients notice meaningful shifts within the first 6–12 sessions.

Sessions are offered in person in Downtown Vancouver and virtually across BC, so support is accessible whether you are in the city or across the province.

Specializations: Generalized Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Major Depression, Chronic Stress.

Approaches used: CBT, ACT, Mindfulness-Based Therapy.

### Grief & Loss Counselling (/services/grief-loss)

Grief is not a problem to solve — it is a relationship to tend. Our counsellors walk alongside you as you find a way to carry what you have lost without losing yourself.

Grief is one of the most universal human experiences, and one of the loneliest. At Wellness Talks Health Centre, we offer grief counselling that honours the weight of your loss and the complexity of the life you are rebuilding around it.

We support clients through the death of a loved one, pet loss, anticipatory grief during a long illness, pregnancy and infant loss, and the quieter griefs of divorce, estrangement, identity change, health diagnoses, and major life transitions.

Our approach draws on contemporary grief therapy, Narrative Therapy, and meaning-making frameworks. We do not believe in 'stages' or timelines. Your grief is yours, and healing looks different for everyone.

Sessions are a place where you do not have to manage anyone else's feelings about your loss. You can cry, be angry, laugh at a memory, sit in silence, or question what you thought you believed. All of it is welcome.

Available in person at our Downtown Vancouver clinic and virtually throughout BC.

Specializations: Death of a Loved One, Pet Loss, Anticipatory Grief, Life Changes.

Approaches used: Grief Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Meaning-Making.

### Career & Burnout Counselling (/services/career-burnout)

For high-achievers running on fumes. We help you recover from burnout, reset your boundaries, and reconnect with work that actually fits who you are.

Burnout is not a personal failure — it is what happens when demand exceeds resources for too long. At Wellness Talks Health Centre, we work with professionals, founders, caregivers, and students who are deeply tired and quietly terrified that they cannot keep going.

Our counsellors use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing to help you understand how you got here, rebuild your nervous system, and make sustainable changes to how you work and live.

Common focus areas include burnout recovery, workplace stress, difficult managers, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, career transitions, return-to-work after medical leave, and the boundaries that never quite stick.

We also work with the emotional reality of ambitious lives — the guilt, the comparison, the sense that you should be grateful, the difficulty resting without anxiety. Therapy is a place to put it all down and look at it honestly.

Sessions are available in person in Downtown Vancouver and virtually across BC, with evening appointments available for working clients.

Specializations: Burnout Recovery, Workplace Stress, Career Transitions, Perfectionism, Boundaries.

Approaches used: CBT, ACT, Motivational Interviewing.

### Financial & Life Adjustments Counselling (/services/financial-life-adjustments)

Money stress, relocation, and major life pivots are emotional events, not just logistical ones. We help you navigate the mental health side of financial and life transitions.

Financial stress is one of the leading drivers of anxiety, relationship conflict, and sleep disruption — and it is rarely talked about honestly. At Wellness Talks Health Centre, we offer a confidential space to work through the emotional side of money and major life change.

We support clients through debt stress, income loss, career downshifts, business failure, inheritance conflicts, divorce-related financial upheaval, homeownership decisions, retirement planning, and the identity shifts that come with every one of these.

Relocation — whether across town, across the country, or across the world — is another common reason clients come in. Immigration, newcomer adjustment, and cultural identity navigation are held with care by our team.

We use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Therapy to help you separate the practical problem from the emotional one, make decisions from a grounded place, and rebuild a sense of agency.

Sessions are available in person at our Downtown Vancouver clinic and virtually throughout British Columbia.

Specializations: Financial Stress, Life Transitions, Relocation, Identity Shifts.

Approaches used: CBT, Solution-Focused Therapy.

### ADHD Support & Executive Functioning (/services/adhd-executive-functioning)

ADHD-informed counselling and executive-function coaching for teens and adults. We help you build systems that actually work for your brain, not against it.

ADHD is not a character flaw. It is a neurotype — and the world is not always built for it. At Wellness Talks Health Centre, we offer ADHD-informed therapy that combines psychoeducation, skills-based coaching, and emotional support.

Our counsellors work with newly diagnosed adults, long-diagnosed clients looking to refine their tools, teens navigating school and identity, and parents of neurodivergent kids who want to understand their own overlapping traits.

We focus on executive function skills (time management, task initiation, working memory, emotional regulation), identity work (rejection sensitivity, shame, masking), and practical strategies for work, relationships, and home life.

Our approach draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), skills training, and psychoeducation. We also use nervous-system regulation techniques because ADHD rarely shows up alone — anxiety, burnout, and chronic overwhelm often come with it.

We are neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based, and unafraid to talk about what actually works. Sessions are offered in person in Downtown Vancouver and virtually across BC.

Specializations: ADHD Management, Executive Function Skills, Time Management, Emotional Regulation.

Approaches used: CBT, Skills Training, Psychoeducation.

### Chronic Pain Counselling (/services/chronic-pain)

Living with chronic pain is exhausting. Our counsellors use mind-body approaches to reduce suffering, rebuild hope, and help you live a meaningful life alongside pain.

Chronic pain changes everything — your body, your identity, your relationships, your sense of the future. At Wellness Talks Health Centre, our counsellors understand that pain is both physical and deeply emotional, and that healing requires tending to both.

We work with clients living with fibromyalgia, migraine, chronic fatigue, long COVID, endometriosis, back and joint pain, autoimmune conditions, post-accident pain, and medically unexplained symptoms.

Our approach draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for chronic pain (CBT-CP), somatic regulation, and mindfulness. You will learn to work with your nervous system, reduce the suffering layered on top of the pain, and reclaim activities that matter to you.

We do not minimize pain, and we do not treat it as 'just in your head.' We take a whole-person approach that works alongside your medical team.

Sessions are available in person at our Downtown Vancouver clinic — designed with accessibility in mind — and virtually throughout BC for days when leaving the house is too much.

Specializations: Pain Management, Coping Strategies, Mind-Body Connection.

Approaches used: ACT, CBT, Somatic Regulation, Mindfulness.

### Addiction Counselling (/services/addiction)

Non-judgemental, evidence-based support for substance use, alcohol, and process addictions. We work with where you are — harm reduction, moderation, or abstinence — and the underlying pain that keeps the behaviour in place.

Addiction is rarely about the substance or the behaviour alone. It is almost always about what it numbs, soothes, or makes bearable. At Wellness Talks Health Centre, our counsellors offer non-judgemental addiction therapy that treats the whole person — the craving and the grief, the ritual and the reason.

We work with alcohol use, cannabis, stimulants, prescription medications, nicotine and vaping, and process addictions including gambling, gaming, pornography, compulsive spending, and food. We also support partners and family members living with someone else's addiction.

Our approach draws on Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based relapse prevention, and trauma-informed care. We meet you at your stage of change — whether you are curious, ambivalent, actively reducing, newly abstinent, or recovering from a relapse.

We practice harm reduction alongside abstinence-oriented work, and we do not require you to choose a goal before you begin. Many clients arrive unsure of what they want, and the first phase of counselling is simply figuring that out safely.

Concurrent concerns — anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, chronic pain — are common with addiction, and we treat them together rather than in parallel. We partner with your physician, 12-step community, outpatient program, or recovery home when that is part of your plan.

Sessions are available in person at our Downtown Vancouver clinic and virtually throughout British Columbia. Esha Shoker offers sessions in English, Punjabi, and Hindi for clients navigating addiction within South Asian family and community contexts.

Specializations: Alcohol Use, Substance Use, Process Addictions, Harm Reduction, Relapse Prevention, Concurrent Disorders, Family Impact.

Approaches used: Motivational Interviewing, CBT, ACT, Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention.

### Youth & Adolescent Counselling (/services/youth-child-counselling)

Developmentally attuned counselling for children, teens, and the parents raising them. We build skills for anxiety, big feelings, friendships, identity, and the transitions that hit young people hardest.

Childhood and adolescence come with a lot of feelings in a body that is still learning how to hold them. At Wellness Talks Health Centre, our youth and adolescent counsellors create a steady, warm space where young people can be messy, curious, reluctant, or proud — and leave with skills that actually help.

We work with children (roughly 8 and up) and teens (12–18) facing anxiety, school avoidance, big emotions, self-esteem struggles, social and friendship difficulties, bullying, perfectionism, identity exploration (including gender and sexuality), neurodivergence, family stress, parental separation, and the quieter heaviness that sometimes follows a young person without an obvious cause.

Our approach is developmentally attuned and draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based work, play- and art-informed techniques for younger kids, narrative therapy, and family systems. For teens, we combine skills training with genuine curiosity about their world — not lectures. Reluctant teenagers are welcome here; we meet them with interest, not an agenda.

Parents are an essential part of this work. Depending on the young person's age and readiness, we include parents through separate parent sessions, joint sessions, or regular check-ins. We protect a young person's confidentiality while keeping parents informed enough to support the work at home.

We are neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive. Erin Cullinane specializes in teens and young adults.

Sessions are available in person at our Downtown Vancouver clinic and virtually throughout British Columbia. We offer after-school and early-evening appointments to fit around school and activities.

Specializations: Anxiety in Children & Teens, School Avoidance, Emotional Regulation, Self-Esteem, Parent-Teen Conflict, Neurodivergent Youth, Friendship & Bullying, Identity & Belonging.

Approaches used: CBT, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Family Systems, Narrative Therapy.

### Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Counselling (/services/vac-counselling)

Wellness Talks Health Centre is a Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) direct billing counselling clinic. We provide trauma-informed, culturally sensitive counselling for veterans, RCMP members, and their families navigating PTSD, operational stress injuries, transition to civilian life, and the impact of service on relationships and identity.

Transitioning out of military service, living with operational stress injuries, or carrying the emotional weight of trauma can deeply impact mental health, relationships, identity, and daily functioning. At Wellness Talks Health Centre, we provide culturally sensitive, trauma-informed counselling for veterans, RCMP members, and their families navigating these experiences.

As a Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) direct billing counselling clinic, we aim to make accessing therapy as seamless and supportive as possible. Our team understands that many veterans face challenges related to PTSD, anxiety, depression, emotional numbness, hypervigilance, anger, grief, chronic stress, relationship strain, sleep difficulties, and adjusting to civilian life.

We recognise that asking for support is not always easy. Our approach is collaborative, respectful, and paced according to your comfort level. Whether you are processing military trauma, burnout, loss of identity after service, or the impact your experiences have had on your family and relationships, we are here to support you without judgment.

Our counsellors use evidence-based approaches including EMDR, trauma-focused CBT, Somatic Experiencing, Narrative Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and attachment-based counselling. Sessions are tailored to your goals, your nervous system, and your lived experience.

We take a culturally responsive and inclusive approach and support veterans from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous, South Asian, newcomer, and LGBTQ2S+ communities. Esha Shoker offers sessions in English, Punjabi, and Hindi.

You do not have to carry everything on your own. Healing, reconnection, and stability are possible with the right support.

Specializations: PTSD & Operational Stress Injuries, Military & Service-Related Trauma, Anxiety & Panic, Depression & Emotional Numbness, Anger & Emotional Regulation, Transition to Civilian Life, Relationship & Family Stress, Burnout & Chronic Stress, Grief & Loss, Identity & Purpose Exploration.

Approaches used: EMDR, Trauma-Focused CBT, Somatic Experiencing, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Narrative Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy.

### Sex Therapy Counselling (/services/sex-therapy)

Sex therapy is talk therapy in a safe, non-judgmental, LGBTQIA2S+ affirming space. We support individuals, couples, and people in non-traditional relationship structures navigating desire, intimacy, sexual anxiety, sexual trauma, communication, identity, and the impact of culture and family on sex and relationships.

Sex and intimacy are deeply personal parts of being human. They are shaped by our relationships, culture, family messages, identity, body image, past experiences, mental health, and the ways we have learned to connect with ourselves and others. When sex, desire, communication, or intimacy feels confusing, painful, disconnected, pressured, or difficult to talk about, sex therapy can offer a safe place to begin.

At Wellness Talks Health Centre, we offer sex therapy in Vancouver for individuals, couples, and people in traditional and non-traditional relationship structures. Our work is grounded in respect, consent, curiosity, and non-judgement. Whether you are navigating desire discrepancy, sexual disconnect, sexual anxiety, sexual trauma, shame, communication challenges, identity exploration, or intimacy concerns in a long-term relationship, therapy can help you better understand what is happening and what you need moving forward.

Sex therapy at Wellness Talks is talk therapy. You remain fully clothed, and there is no sexual contact or physical examination involved. Sessions focus on open conversation, emotional safety, education, communication, self-understanding, and building more aligned ways of relating to yourself and others.

Our approach is grounded, collaborative, culturally responsive, LGBTQIA2S+ affirming, and inclusive of diverse relationship structures. We support clients navigating sexual wellbeing, desire, intimacy, relationship patterns, communication, identity, culture, family systems, and the impact of intergenerational or cultural expectations on sex and relationships.

For some clients, sex therapy is about improving communication and rebuilding intimacy. For others, it is about understanding shame, trauma, desire, identity, boundaries, or the impact of cultural and family expectations. You do not need to have the 'right words' before coming in — therapy can help you find the language for what has felt hard to name.

Sessions are available in person at our Downtown Vancouver clinic and virtually throughout British Columbia.

Specializations: Desire Discrepancy, Sexual Disconnect, Sexual Anxiety, Sexual Trauma, Sexual Dysfunction, Intimacy in Long-Term Relationships, Communication About Sex, Boundaries & Consent, Sexual Shame, Body Image & Sexual Confidence, Identity Exploration, LGBTQIA2S+ Affirming Sex Therapy, Non-Monogamous & Alternative Relationship Structures, Cultural & Family Expectations Around Sex & Relationships, Couples & Relationship Intimacy, Healing After Betrayal.

Approaches used: Narrative Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Gottman Method-Informed Couples Therapy, ACT, CBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Informed Therapy, Culturally Responsive & Anti-Oppressive Practice.

### Anger Management Counselling (/services/anger-management)

Anger is often a signal, not a flaw. At Wellness Talks Health Centre, our anger management counselling helps you understand what's underneath the reaction, regulate your nervous system in the moment, and respond from a steadier place — in your relationships, at work, and at home.

Anger gets a bad reputation. In reality, it is one of the most informative emotions we have — usually a signal that something matters, a boundary has been crossed, or a deeper feeling underneath (hurt, fear, exhaustion, shame) is asking to be heard. At Wellness Talks Health Centre, our anger management counsellors help you work with that signal instead of being run by it.

Many of the clients who come to us for anger support are not 'angry people' — they are people who have spent a long time holding everything together, and now find themselves snapping at partners, withdrawing from kids, escalating at work, or feeling waves of irritability that arrive faster and last longer than they used to. Others have a clear history with anger — patterns from family of origin, trauma responses, or simply never having been taught how to feel emotion without acting it out.

We do not treat anger as a behaviour problem to be punished out of you. We treat it as nervous-system data plus learned reaction, and we work on both. That means slowing things down enough to see the pattern, building the regulation skills to interrupt it in real time, and addressing whatever is feeding it underneath — chronic stress, unresolved grief, trauma, relationship dynamics, sleep loss, alcohol, ADHD, or the cultural and family scripts you grew up with.

Our counsellors draw on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for relational anger, somatic regulation, mindfulness-based approaches, and trauma-informed care. For couples and families where anger has become destructive, we work together with everyone affected — not just the person carrying the label.

Sessions are available in person at our Downtown Vancouver clinic and virtually throughout British Columbia. Esha Shoker offers sessions in English, Punjabi, and Hindi.

Specializations: Emotional regulation and impulse control, Anger in long-term relationships, Parenting reactivity and yelling, Workplace reactivity and conflict, Road rage and driving reactivity, Rage attacks and escalation cycles, Anger from chronic stress, burnout, or sleep loss, Anger rooted in unresolved trauma, Anger and ADHD-related emotional dysregulation, Anger linked to substance use, Cultural and family-of-origin patterns, Court-related or self-referred anger work.

Approaches used: CBT, ACT, EFT (for relational anger), Somatic Regulation, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Trauma-Informed Care, Family Systems.

### ICBC Counselling & Accident Recovery (/services/icbc-accident-recovery)

Wellness Talks Health Centre is an ICBC-approved provider. Eligible clients receive up to 12 complimentary counselling sessions after a motor vehicle accident — with no out-of-pocket cost.

If you have been in a motor vehicle accident in British Columbia, you are eligible for counselling support under ICBC's Enhanced Care coverage — and at Wellness Talks Health Centre, you pay nothing out of pocket. We bill ICBC directly on your behalf.

Eligible clients receive up to 12 complimentary counselling sessions within the first 12 weeks post-accident. Additional sessions may be approved with a treatment plan. You do not need a lawyer or a doctor's referral to begin — just an ICBC claim number.

Our counsellors are experienced in post-accident mental health and use Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), EMDR, and Somatic Experiencing to treat the psychological impact of collisions: PTSD, driving anxiety, flashbacks, sleep disruption, pain-related distress, irritability, and the identity loss that can follow injury.

We are listed on the ICBC Recovery Network and have supported hundreds of clients through accident recovery. Our team handles the paperwork so you can focus on healing.

Sessions are offered in person at our Downtown Vancouver clinic (5 minutes from Waterfront Station) and virtually throughout BC. Call us at 778-879-8255 with your claim number and we will get you booked in quickly.

Specializations: Motor Vehicle Accident Recovery, ICBC Claims Support, 12 Complimentary Sessions, No Out-of-Pocket Cost.

Approaches used: Trauma-Focused CBT, EMDR, Somatic Experiencing.

ICBC-approved: eligible clients receive up to 12 complimentary counselling sessions after a motor vehicle accident, with no out-of-pocket cost.

## Team — Full Bios

### Esha Shoker, MCP, RCC — Founder & Clinical Director (/our-team/esha-shoker)

Esha is the Founder and Clinical Director of Wellness Talks Health Centre. With 9+ years of clinical practice and 16+ years in the behavioural sciences, she supports adults, couples, and families with anxiety, burnout, chronic pain, ICBC trauma, relationship conflict, cultural identity, and major life transitions. Sessions in English, Punjabi, and Hindi.

Esha Shoker is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and the Founder and Clinical Director of Wellness Talks Health Centre. She brings 9+ years of clinical experience and 16+ years in the behavioural sciences to her work with adults, couples, and families.

Before becoming a clinical counsellor, Esha spent over a decade working with children, youth, and families — as a Preschool Teacher, Education Assistant, and Child and Youth Care Worker with the Surrey School Board, and for four years as a Residential Program Coordinator at Phoenix Society supporting clients navigating complex mental health, substance use, and life transitions.

Her work is grounded in attachment science, trauma-informed counselling, cultural awareness, and family systems. Esha is trained in <em>Emotionally Focused Therapy</em>, the <em>Gottman Method</em>, CBT, and family-systems work, and she brings a warm, direct, evidence-informed, and culturally responsive approach to every session.

Esha provides clinical supervision and mentorship for emerging counsellors and interns, and serves as an Oral Adjudicator on the Exam Faculty for City University of Seattle's Master of Counselling Psychology program. Her work has been featured in the Huffington Post, CTV, STORYHIVE, Kaur Movement, and The Scrivener.

Sessions are available in English, Punjabi, and Hindi — in person at our Downtown Vancouver clinic and virtually throughout British Columbia.

Specialties: Anxiety, Stress & Burnout, Chronic Pain & Medical Trauma, ICBC & Post-Accident Trauma, Couples Counselling, Cultural Identity & Family Systems, ADHD & Executive Functioning, Addiction Issues & Anger Management.

Languages: English, Punjabi, Hindi.

Approaches: eft, efft, gottman, cbt, family-systems, solution-focused, motivational-interviewing, mindfulness, somatic.

Email: esha@wellnesstalkshealth.com
Booking: https://wellnesstalks.janeapp.com/#/staff_member/PLACEHOLDER_ID_ESHA

### Lynsey Dobbie, MACP, RCC — Senior Counsellor (/our-team/lynsey-dobbie)

Lynsey is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with 10+ years of experience in psychology and relational communication. She supports individuals, couples, and families navigating relationship conflict, anxiety, attachment wounds, fertility and postpartum transitions, perimenopause, grief, family stress, and major life changes.

Lynsey Dobbie is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and over 10 years of experience in psychology and relational communication. Her work is grounded in attachment science, emotional safety, and relational healing.

Lynsey has extensive experience supporting clients through relationship conflict and communication breakdown, rebuilding trust and emotional intimacy, premarital counselling, fertility journeys, pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, motherhood transitions, perimenopause and menopause, anxiety and emotional overwhelm, family stress and attachment wounds, grief and identity shifts, and ICBC counselling for post-accident adjustment and fear of driving.

She is trained in <em>Emotionally Focused Therapy</em> (EFT and EFIT), the <em>Gottman Method</em> (Levels 1 & 2), attachment-based therapy, CBT, and polyvagal-informed approaches. She is also a Chartered Occupational Psychologist with the British Psychological Society — that background informs her work with executives and high-performing professionals navigating burnout.

Lynsey's approach combines warmth and emotional depth with practical tools and direction. She works collaboratively with clients to develop thoughtful treatment plans and clear short and long-term goals, so therapy feels purposeful, supportive, and structured.

Sessions are available in English — in person at our Downtown Vancouver clinic and virtually throughout British Columbia.

Specialties: Couples & Attachment-Based Relationship Repair, Fertility, Pregnancy & Postpartum, Perimenopause & Menopause, Anxiety & Emotional Overwhelm, Grief, Loss & Life Transitions, ICBC & Fear of Driving, Anger Management, Chronic Pain Management, Diabetes Management Support.

Languages: English.

Approaches: eft, gottman, attachment, cbt, polyvagal.

Email: lynsey@wellnesstalkshealth.com
Booking: https://wellnesstalks.janeapp.com/#/staff_member/PLACEHOLDER_ID_LYNSEY

### Erin Cullinane, MACP, RCC, RPT(Q) — Counsellor — RCC (BC) & RPT(Q) (Ontario) (/our-team/erin-cullinane)

Erin is a Registered Clinical Counsellor supporting adults, teens, and youth with anxiety, stress, burnout, perfectionism, people-pleasing, self-criticism, emotional regulation, and life transitions. Her approach is calm, collaborative, and non-judgmental.

Erin Cullinane is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. She supports individuals, teens, and youth who are navigating anxiety, emotional overwhelm, burnout, people-pleasing, and self-criticism.

Her goal is to create a calm, grounded, and non-judgmental space for clients who may feel hesitant, stuck, or unsure about starting therapy. At Wellness Talks, Erin works collaboratively with clients to develop a clear treatment plan and meaningful short and long-term goals together, so therapy feels supportive, structured, and aligned with your personal growth.

Many of the people Erin works with appear high functioning on the outside but feel exhausted or disconnected internally. Together, the work slows things down, builds insight into emotional patterns, and develops practical tools that strengthen confidence, boundaries, and emotional regulation.

Erin draws from <em>Person-Centred Therapy</em>, mindfulness-based approaches, parts-informed and insight-oriented work, <em>Narrative Therapy</em>, a trauma-informed approach, and the Gottman Method (Level 1) for relational insight.

Sessions are available in English — in person at our Downtown Vancouver clinic and virtually throughout British Columbia.

Specialties: Anxiety, Stress & Emotional Overwhelm, Burnout & Workplace Pressure, People-Pleasing & Boundaries, Self-Criticism & Perfectionism, Teen & Youth Mental Health, Identity & Life Transitions.

Languages: English.

Approaches: person-centred, mindfulness, parts-informed, narrative, gottman.

Email: erin@wellnesstalkshealth.com
Booking: https://wellnesstalks.janeapp.com/#/staff_member/PLACEHOLDER_ID_ERIN

### Minou Truong, MCP, RCC, CCC — Registered Clinical Counsellor (/our-team/minou-truong)

Minou is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Canadian Certified Counsellor working with individuals, couples, and youth, with a focus on relationships, sex and intimacy, trauma and EMDR, cultural identity, and emotional wellbeing. She offers LGBTQIA2S+ affirming care and supports immigrants and children of immigrants navigating intergenerational dynamics. Sessions in English and Vietnamese.

Minou Truong is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with a focus on relational, cultural, and intimacy-related concerns. She works with individuals and couples experiencing challenges related to communication, connection, identity, and sexual wellbeing — including concerns around desire, sexual disconnect, and intimacy within long-term relationships.

Her work is informed by <em>narrative and emotion-focused approaches</em>, and she helps clients understand patterns in both their relationships and internal experiences. Minou has a particular interest in supporting immigrants and children of immigrants navigating cultural and intergenerational dynamics, as well as LGBTQIA2S+ clients and those in non-traditional relationship structures.

She also supports clients in exploring sexual concerns within a safe, respectful, and non-judgmental space, where intimacy can be discussed openly and with care. Across her work, Minou focuses on helping clients build greater clarity, self-understanding, and more sustainable ways of relating to themselves and others.

Sessions are available in English — in person at our Downtown Vancouver clinic and virtually throughout British Columbia.

Specialties: Couples Counselling & Relationship Dynamics, Sex Therapy & Sexual Wellbeing, Trauma & EMDR Therapy, Youth & Adolescent Counselling, LGBTQIA2S+ Affirming Care, Identity, Culture & Intergenerational Healing, Non-Monogamous & Alternative Relationship Structures, Anxiety, Stress & Life Transitions, Anger Management.

Languages: English, Vietnamese.

Approaches: emdr, eft, attachment, narrative, ifs, efct, gottman, act, cbt, solution-focused, strengths-based, trauma-informed.

Email: minou@wellnesstalkshealth.com
Booking: https://wellnesstalks.janeapp.com/#/staff_member/PLACEHOLDER_ID_MINOU

### Manpreet Sanghera, MCP Student — Master's Counselling Intern (/our-team/manpreet-sanghera)

Manpreet is a Master's level counselling intern at Wellness Talks completing her Master of Counselling Psychology at City University of Seattle. She supports children, youth, adults, couples, and families navigating anxiety, stress, grief, family conflict, burnout, and major life transitions through a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, strengths-based lens. Sessions in English and Punjabi.

Manpreet Sanghera is a Master's level counselling intern at Wellness Talks Health Centre currently completing her Master of Counselling Psychology through City University of Seattle. Alongside her education, she has worked in community-based counselling and family support settings supporting children, youth, adults, couples, and families through difficult life experiences and transitions.

Her approach is grounded in the belief that people want to feel understood before anything else. Manpreet values genuine connection, honesty, empathy, and creating a counselling space that feels human and supportive. She understands how culture, family dynamics, relationships, grief, identity, and lived experiences shape the way people move through the world, and approaches each person with curiosity, compassion, and respect for their story.

Her work is grounded in <em>trauma-informed</em>, culturally sensitive, and strengths-based approaches. Manpreet works collaboratively with clients to better understand emotional patterns, improve communication, build coping strategies, and create meaningful change in ways that feel realistic and manageable.

Manpreet offers virtual counselling sessions across British Columbia and provides accessible low-cost counselling under clinical supervision.

Specialties: Anxiety & Emotional Overwhelm, Relationship & Family Challenges, Stress & Burnout, Grief & Loss, Self-Esteem & Identity, Youth & Teen Mental Health, Addiction Support.

Languages: English, Punjabi.

Approaches: person-centred, narrative, trauma-informed, strengths-based, solution-focused, mindfulness, eft, attachment.

Email: manpreet@wellnesstalkshealth.com
Booking: https://wellnesstalks.janeapp.com/#/staff_member/PLACEHOLDER_ID_MANPREET

## Therapeutic Approaches

### Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Identifies and reshapes unhelpful thought patterns to change emotional responses and behaviour.

### Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Strengthens emotional bonds in relationships by exploring attachment needs and communication cycles.

### EMDR
Processes traumatic memories through guided eye movements to reduce their emotional intensity.

### Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Builds psychological flexibility by learning to accept difficult thoughts while committing to meaningful action.

### Somatic Regulation
Uses body-based awareness to release stored tension and restore nervous-system balance.

### Gottman Method
Research-based couples therapy that builds friendship, manages conflict, and creates shared meaning.

### Narrative Therapy
Separates the person from the problem, helping you rewrite limiting stories about yourself.

### Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Cultivates present-moment awareness to reduce reactivity and build emotional resilience.

### Family Systems
Explores how family dynamics and roles shape individual behaviour and relational patterns.

### Motivational Interviewing
A collaborative conversation style that strengthens your own motivation for change.

### Person-Centred Therapy
Client-led therapy that creates a non-judgmental space for self-understanding and growth at your own pace.

### Parts-Informed Work
Explores the different 'parts' of self that drive emotions and behaviour, helping you relate to inner conflict with curiosity instead of judgment.

### Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
Attachment-based family therapy that repairs emotional bonds and builds secure connection between family members.

### Solution-Focused Therapy
Goal-directed approach that builds on your existing strengths and resources to move toward clear, near-term change.

### Attachment-Based Therapy
Uses attachment science to understand how early bonds shape adult relationships and emotional patterns.

### Polyvagal-Informed Therapy
Applies polyvagal theory to help the nervous system shift out of fight-flight-freeze and into safety and connection.

### Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Explores the inner system of 'parts' that carry burdens, fears, and protective roles — helping you build a compassionate relationship with each one.

### Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT)
Attachment-based couples therapy that interrupts negative cycles and rebuilds secure, responsive connection between partners.

### Trauma-Informed Therapy
Recognises how past trauma shapes present nervous-system responses, pacing the work so it never re-overwhelms.

### Strengths-Based Approach
Starts from what's already working in your life — resilience, resources, values — and builds change from there.

## Frequently Asked Questions by Service

### Couples & Family Counselling — FAQs (/services/couples-family)

**Q: How long does couples counselling take to work?**
Most couples start to feel shifts within 6–10 sessions as they learn to interrupt their conflict cycle. Deeper repair work (betrayal, long-standing attachment wounds, blended-family rebuilds) typically runs 12–20 sessions. Your counsellor will map a realistic arc with you in the first session.

**Q: What's the difference between marriage counselling and couples therapy?**
There is no clinical distinction. We use the terms interchangeably. Both use evidence-based approaches — primarily Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method — to help partners understand their patterns and build a more secure connection.

**Q: Can we do couples counselling online in BC?**
Yes. All of our couples counsellors offer secure video sessions anywhere in British Columbia. Virtual couples work is as effective as in-person for most presentations, though some ruptures benefit from at least a few in-person sessions at our Downtown Vancouver clinic.

**Q: Do you offer pre-marital counselling programs?**
Yes. Our pre-marital program is 4–6 focused sessions covering communication, conflict repair, finances, family-of-origin patterns, intimacy, and shared meaning. It's designed to map the hard conversations before they become the hard fights.

**Q: What is discernment counselling, and is it for us?**
Discernment counselling is a short, structured process (typically 1–5 sessions) for couples where one partner is leaning out of the relationship and the other wants to stay. Unlike traditional couples therapy — which assumes you both want to repair — it helps you each gain clarity on one of three paths: staying as things are, committing to six months of focused couples work, or moving toward separation with care. It is not decision-avoidance; it is honest triage.

### Perinatal & Fertility Counselling — FAQs (/services/perinatal-fertility)

**Q: When should I start perinatal counselling?**
Ideally, before symptoms escalate. Common entry points are during fertility treatment, after a pregnancy loss, in late pregnancy, or within the first year postpartum. If you are wondering whether it is 'bad enough' to warrant support, that is usually a sign that support would help.

**Q: Is perinatal counselling covered by insurance?**
Most extended health plans cover counselling with a Registered Clinical Counsellor. We direct-bill Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Canada Life, Manulife, Green Shield, and others. Perinatal counselling is not typically covered by MSP.

**Q: Can my partner come to perinatal sessions?**
Absolutely. Partners are welcome in sessions whenever it fits the work — especially for pregnancy-loss grief, postpartum adjustment, and relationship ruptures that often show up after a baby arrives.

**Q: Do you work with clients going through IVF?**
Yes. Our fertility counsellor (Lynsey Dobbie) has specific depth with clients navigating IUI, IVF, donor conception, and repeat loss. Sessions focus on emotional regulation through treatment cycles, decision-making, and the identity work that often accompanies fertility struggles.

### Trauma & PTSD Counselling — FAQs (/services/trauma-ptsd)

**Q: What is EMDR therapy and how does it work?**
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based trauma therapy that uses guided eye movements (or bilateral tapping) while recalling a memory. It helps the brain reprocess 'stuck' traumatic memories so they lose their emotional charge. Most EMDR clients notice relief within 6–12 sessions.

**Q: How many sessions do I need for trauma counselling?**
Single-incident trauma (e.g., a car accident, assault, medical event) often resolves in 6–12 sessions. Complex or developmental trauma typically takes longer — often 20+ sessions over 6–12 months — because we first stabilize your nervous system before processing memories.

**Q: Can I do trauma therapy virtually?**
Yes. EMDR, somatic work, and trauma-focused CBT all translate well to secure video. Some clients actually prefer virtual sessions for early trauma work because their own home feels safer than a clinical space.

**Q: What's the difference between PTSD and complex trauma?**
PTSD usually follows a single event. Complex trauma (sometimes called C-PTSD) develops from repeated, prolonged experiences — often in childhood — and tends to affect identity, relationships, and emotional regulation more broadly. Treatment pacing differs; your counsellor will tailor the approach.

**Q: Is trauma counselling free through ICBC?**
Yes, if your trauma relates to a motor vehicle accident. ICBC pre-approves 12 counselling sessions for eligible claimants with no out-of-pocket cost. Bring your claim number and we will handle the billing directly.

### Anxiety, Depression & Stress Counselling — FAQs (/services/anxiety-depression-stress)

**Q: What type of therapy is best for anxiety?**
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has the strongest research base for anxiety, especially panic, social anxiety, and generalized worry. We often pair CBT with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based approaches to address the body's response alongside the thoughts.

**Q: How do I know if I need counselling for depression?**
If low mood, loss of interest, sleep or appetite changes, or hopelessness have lasted more than two weeks and are affecting your work, relationships, or daily functioning, counselling can help. You do not need to be in crisis to benefit — earlier support usually means faster recovery.

**Q: Can counselling help with panic attacks?**
Yes. Panic attacks respond very well to a combination of CBT (to reframe the fear-of-fear cycle), somatic regulation (to calm the nervous system), and exposure work. Most clients see significant reduction in panic frequency within 8–12 sessions.

**Q: Do you offer same-week appointments for anxiety?**
We try to. Availability depends on the counsellor, but most of our team holds a few slots each week for intake within 5–7 days. If you are in crisis, please call VCH Access Mental Health at 604-675-3700 or 911.

### Grief & Loss Counselling — FAQs (/services/grief-loss)

**Q: When should I seek grief counselling?**
There is no 'right' time. Some clients come within days of a loss, others years later. If grief is interfering with sleep, work, relationships, or your sense of self — or if anniversaries, anticipatory loss, or disenfranchised grief (e.g., pet loss, miscarriage) feel unsupported — counselling helps.

**Q: Do you support grief for non-death losses?**
Yes. Divorce, job loss, pregnancy loss, estrangement, health-related losses, and identity shifts all produce real grief. Our grief counsellors treat these losses with the same care as bereavement.

**Q: Is pet loss counselling something you offer?**
Yes. Pet loss is significant and often under-acknowledged grief. Sessions create space for the full weight of the relationship — including complicated feelings about end-of-life decisions.

**Q: How long does grief counselling usually take?**
Most clients find 8–16 sessions helpful. Grief doesn't end on a timeline, but counselling helps you metabolize the loss and integrate it rather than stay stuck. Your counsellor will check in regularly about pacing and goals.

### Career & Burnout Counselling — FAQs (/services/career-burnout)

**Q: What are the signs of burnout?**
Persistent exhaustion (not just tiredness), cynicism or detachment from work, reduced sense of accomplishment, and physical symptoms like headaches or sleep disruption. If weekends no longer recharge you, that's a red flag.

**Q: How is burnout different from depression?**
Burnout is context-specific (usually work) and tends to lift when the source is addressed. Depression is more pervasive and persists even with time off. Many clients have both — our counsellors help distinguish and treat accordingly.

**Q: Can I do career counselling if I'm not planning to leave my job?**
Yes. Much of our career work focuses on setting boundaries, managing perfectionism, navigating difficult team dynamics, and rebuilding sustainability in your current role — not just exits.

**Q: Do you work with high-performing professionals?**
Often. Our client base includes executives, physicians, lawyers, and senior tech professionals. We bring a non-judgemental lens — achievement culture has its own distortions that deserve careful attention.

### Financial & Life Adjustments Counselling — FAQs (/services/financial-life-adjustments)

**Q: Is this financial advice?**
No. We are counsellors, not financial planners. We work with the emotional and behavioural side of financial stress — shame, avoidance, partner conflict around money, and identity shifts tied to income changes.

**Q: Can counselling help with the stress of relocating?**
Yes. Relocation grief, identity disruption, loss of community, and partner/family tension during moves are common reasons clients come in. Short-term solution-focused work often helps clients settle faster.

**Q: Do you work with couples around financial conflict?**
Yes, either with your existing couples counsellor or as a standalone focus. Money conflicts almost always layer onto attachment, control, and family-of-origin patterns — we treat all three.

**Q: How many sessions does this usually take?**
Most clients find 6–10 sessions sufficient for a specific life transition. Longer-term work is available if the transition surfaces deeper material.

### ADHD Support & Executive Functioning — FAQs (/services/adhd-executive-functioning)

**Q: Do I need a diagnosis to start ADHD counselling?**
No. Many of our clients come in suspecting ADHD but without a formal diagnosis. We can work with symptoms directly and, where appropriate, refer you to a psychologist or physician for assessment.

**Q: What does ADHD counselling actually involve?**
Practical skills training (time management, task initiation, emotional regulation), CBT for the shame and self-criticism that often layer onto ADHD, and environmental design — building systems that work with your brain, not against it.

**Q: Do you work with adults who were diagnosed late?**
Frequently. Late-diagnosed ADHD often comes with decades of masking, burnout, and 'why couldn't I just…' self-blame. Sessions often include identity re-integration alongside skills work.

**Q: Can counselling replace ADHD medication?**
For some clients, yes; for many, counselling works best alongside medication. We do not prescribe — we partner with your physician and focus on the skills, emotional regulation, and systems that medication alone doesn't address.

### Chronic Pain Counselling — FAQs (/services/chronic-pain)

**Q: How can counselling help with physical pain?**
Chronic pain is shaped by the nervous system, attention, and meaning — not just tissue damage. ACT, somatic regulation, and pain-focused CBT all reduce pain intensity and the suffering that layers on top of it, even when the underlying condition is unchanged.

**Q: Is this a replacement for physiotherapy or medical care?**
No. We work alongside your medical team. Counselling addresses the psychological dimensions of chronic pain — which research shows reliably improves outcomes when combined with physical treatment.

**Q: Do you work with pain from motor vehicle accidents?**
Yes. If your pain stems from an ICBC-claimed accident, you may be eligible for 12 pre-approved sessions at no cost. The overlap between chronic pain and trauma makes this work especially important.

**Q: Can virtual sessions help with chronic pain?**
Yes. Much of the work — pacing, regulation, meaning-making, values-based action — translates fully to virtual sessions. Your counsellor will guide somatic practices through video just as they would in person.

### Addiction Counselling — FAQs (/services/addiction)

**Q: Do I have to be ready to quit to start addiction counselling?**
No. Most clients arrive ambivalent — part of them wants change, part of them doesn't, and both parts make sense. We use Motivational Interviewing to help you explore what you actually want, without pressure. Many clients begin in a reduction or moderation frame and decide on a long-term goal as the work unfolds.

**Q: Do you support harm reduction as well as abstinence?**
Yes. We work along the full spectrum — harm reduction, moderation, and abstinence — and we don't require a specific goal to begin. Our role is to help you reduce harm, build skills, and make informed choices about your own path.

**Q: Do you work with process addictions like gambling, gaming, or pornography?**
Yes. Process addictions follow similar neural and behavioural patterns as substance use and respond to the same evidence-based approaches — CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness-based relapse prevention. Shame often keeps these concerns hidden; sessions are confidential and non-judgemental.

**Q: Can counselling replace a treatment program or 12-step meetings?**
For some clients, yes; for many, counselling works best alongside a program, recovery community, or physician-supervised medication. We partner with outpatient programs, 12-step sponsors, and medical teams when that is part of your plan. We will never tell you to leave a support system that is helping.

**Q: What if I've relapsed and I'm afraid to come back?**
Relapse is part of many recovery journeys and is not a failure. It is information. Our counsellors treat relapse the way we treat any setback — with curiosity, not shame — and we focus on what the relapse reveals and how to rebuild from it.

### Youth & Adolescent Counselling — FAQs (/services/youth-child-counselling)

**Q: At what age can my child start counselling?**
Our youth and adolescent counsellors typically work with kids aged 8 and up, as well as teens through age 18. Younger children are sometimes supported indirectly through parent coaching. For concerns in very young children, we can suggest child-specialist referrals in the Vancouver area.

**Q: My teen doesn't want to come. Will that work?**
Often, yes. Reluctant teens are a specialty. We don't push agendas — we meet them with curiosity, let them set some of the terms, and build trust before we do the hard work. Many teens who arrived reluctantly end up asking to come back.

**Q: How involved are parents in their child's sessions?**
It depends on the young person's age and readiness. Younger children often benefit from more parent involvement (joint sessions, parent coaching). Teens usually have more confidential one-on-one sessions, with regular parent check-ins or family sessions layered in. Your counsellor will propose a structure at the intake and adjust as the work evolves.

**Q: Is youth counselling confidential from parents?**
Yes — with limits, and those limits are explained clearly up front. We protect your teen's confidentiality around the day-to-day content of sessions, but we will always inform parents if there is a serious safety concern (suicidal intent, abuse, high-risk behaviour). That balance is what allows teens to be honest in the room.

**Q: Do you work with neurodivergent kids and teens?**
Yes. Our team is neurodiversity-affirming and includes counsellors with specific depth in ADHD, autism, and learning differences. We support identity, executive function, emotional regulation, and the family dynamics that often come along.

**Q: Is youth counselling covered by extended health insurance?**
Most extended health plans cover counselling with a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) for all ages. Wellness Talks direct-bills Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Canada Life, Manulife, Green Shield, and others. Contact info@wellnesstalkshealth.com to confirm coverage for your plan.

### ICBC Counselling & Accident Recovery — FAQs (/services/icbc-accident-recovery)

**Q: How many free ICBC counselling sessions do I get?**
ICBC pre-approves up to 12 counselling sessions for eligible claimants following a motor vehicle accident. There is no out-of-pocket cost for these sessions — Wellness Talks bills ICBC directly.

**Q: Do I need a doctor's referral for ICBC counselling?**
No. As an ICBC-approved provider, we can start counselling as soon as you share your claim number. You do not need a physician referral for the first 12 pre-approved sessions.

**Q: What do I need to start ICBC counselling?**
Your ICBC claim number and a brief intake call. We handle the paperwork and bill ICBC directly. Call 778-879-8255 or book online to get started — most clients can begin within a week.

**Q: Can I choose my own counsellor for ICBC sessions?**
Yes. You are not assigned a counsellor — you choose, just as with any of our services. Our trauma-trained counsellors have particular experience with motor vehicle accident recovery.

**Q: What if I need more than 12 sessions?**
If clinically indicated, additional sessions can be requested from ICBC through your counsellor. Many claimants receive extensions for complex trauma, ongoing pain, or persistent driving anxiety.

### Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Counselling — FAQs (/services/vac-counselling)

**Q: Am I eligible for VAC counselling at Wellness Talks?**
If you have approved Veterans Affairs Canada coverage for counselling — or are an RCMP member or eligible family member — Wellness Talks Health Centre can typically direct-bill VAC on your behalf. If you're unsure about your eligibility, our team can help walk you through it. Email info@wellnesstalkshealth.com.

**Q: Do I need a referral to start VAC counselling?**
Most VAC-funded counselling requires pre-authorisation through your VAC case manager rather than a medical referral. Once your sessions are approved, you can book directly with Wellness Talks. We can help you navigate the approval process if needed.

**Q: Can my partner or family attend sessions under VAC coverage?**
Yes — VAC coverage often extends to couples and family counselling where the impact of service or trauma has affected relationships. Wellness Talks offers individual, couples, and family counselling under VAC at our Downtown Vancouver clinic and virtually across BC.

**Q: How long does VAC counselling take?**
There is no fixed length. Some clients begin with short-term work focused on stabilisation and symptom relief; others engage in longer trauma processing using EMDR or Somatic Experiencing. Your counsellor will collaboratively map a realistic plan with you and pace the work to your nervous system.

### Anger Management Counselling — FAQs (/services/anger-management)

**Q: Will I be told my anger is bad?**
No. We do not treat anger as a behaviour problem to be punished out of you. Anger is information — usually about a boundary, an unmet need, or a deeper feeling underneath. Our work is helping you decode the signal and respond from a steadier place, not shaming you for having the reaction in the first place.

**Q: How is this different from a court-ordered anger program?**
Court-ordered programs are usually structured group classes focused on behaviour modification. Our anger management counselling is one-to-one therapy that addresses both the regulation skills and the underlying causes — chronic stress, trauma, ADHD, sleep loss, alcohol, family-of-origin patterns. If you need documentation for a court or workplace requirement, your counsellor can provide attendance verification.

**Q: Can my partner come to sessions with me?**
Yes. For many people, anger shows up most intensely in close relationships, and couples sessions can be very effective — especially when the cycle has become predictable and both partners are committed to interrupting it. Your counsellor may suggest individual sessions first, then couples sessions, or move directly into couples work depending on what you bring in.

**Q: Do you work with anger that has become physical?**
If anger has crossed into physical aggression toward people, that requires immediate care. We can support individuals working to stop this pattern in a one-to-one therapy setting alongside appropriate safety planning. We do not do couples therapy where ongoing physical violence is present — couples work is unsafe and counter-indicated in that context. Call us to talk through your situation honestly and we will help match you with the right level of care.

**Q: How long does it take to see change?**
Most clients notice meaningful shifts in 6–10 sessions when working on regulation skills and pattern interruption. Deeper work — trauma, family-of-origin scripts, or anger linked to long-standing burnout — typically takes longer. Your counsellor will map a realistic arc with you in the first session and revisit it as the work progresses.

### Sex Therapy Counselling — FAQs (/services/sex-therapy)

**Q: What happens in a sex therapy session?**
Sessions are conversation-based. Your counsellor will ask thoughtful questions about your relationships, sexual concerns, communication patterns, emotional experiences, identity, culture, boundaries, and any past experiences influencing your current relationship with intimacy. You'll work collaboratively on goals — there is never any physical contact or examination.

**Q: How long are sex therapy sessions?**
Sessions are available in 50, 70, or 90 minute options depending on your needs, your goals, and whether you're attending individually or with a partner. Many clients begin weekly or bi-weekly, with pacing adjusted collaboratively as the work progresses.

**Q: Is sex therapy suitable for non-monogamous or kink-aware clients?**
Yes. Wellness Talks Health Centre offers sex therapy that is affirming of non-traditional relationship structures — including ethical non-monogamy, polyamory, and kink-aware practice. Minou Truong (RCC, CCC) has specific training and experience in this work and brings warmth, curiosity, and a non-judgmental lens.

**Q: Can I attend sex therapy individually if my partner won't come?**
Absolutely. Sex therapy is just as effective for individuals as for couples. Many clients begin solo to understand their own desires, shame, trauma, identity, or relationship patterns, and may bring a partner in later. The work moves at your pace.

**Q: Is sex therapy covered by extended health insurance?**
Most extended health plans cover counselling with a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) regardless of the specialty area. Wellness Talks Health Centre direct-bills Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Canada Life, Manulife, Green Shield, and others. Rates are visible inside Jane App before booking.

## Client Testimonials (Anonymized)

> I came to Erin during one of the hardest seasons of my life. I felt overwhelmed by grief and unsure how to keep moving forward. Erin gave me a safe space to talk openly, cry, process, and make sense of what I was feeling without ever making me feel rushed. I really appreciated the gentle reflections and takeaways she offered between sessions because they helped me feel supported even after I left the room. Her support helped me feel less alone in my loss.
— Grief client, Vancouver (worked with Erin Cullinane)

> Erin created a space where I felt comfortable opening up, even about things I usually keep to myself. She helped me talk through stress, school pressure, friendships, and feeling overwhelmed in a way that felt supportive and not judgmental. I liked that she gave me small things to try between sessions, so counselling did not feel overwhelming. Working with Erin helped me feel more understood and less alone.
— Teen client, Vancouver (worked with Erin Cullinane)

> Working with Erin helped me notice how harsh and critical I had become toward myself. She supported me in understanding where some of my body image struggles and self-critical thoughts came from, without making me feel ashamed. The reflection exercises and takeaways she gave me helped me start practicing more compassion in my day-to-day life. I began to feel less controlled by comparison, shame, and negative self-talk.
— Adult client, Downtown Vancouver (worked with Erin Cullinane)

> I came to counselling feeling confused about what I wanted in my relationship and unsure how to trust my own feelings. Erin helped me step back and understand the patterns and stories I had been carrying about love, worth, and what I thought I had to accept. The questions and reflections she gave me between sessions helped me get clearer on my values, my needs, and what I truly wanted moving forward.
— Adult client, Yaletown (worked with Erin Cullinane)

> On the outside, I looked like I was managing everything, but inside I felt anxious, exhausted, and burnt out. Erin helped me slow down and understand what was underneath the pressure I kept putting on myself. I appreciated that she gave me practical takeaways and reflection tools after sessions, so I could keep working on things in real life. Our work helped me make realistic changes that felt sustainable.
— High-performing professional, Downtown Vancouver (worked with Erin Cullinane)

> I started working with Lynsey during pregnancy when I felt anxious, overwhelmed, and unsure how to prepare emotionally for such a big life change. She helped me feel grounded, supported, and less alone in what I was experiencing. I appreciated the reflection questions and practical takeaways she offered because they helped me understand my emotions between sessions too. Her warmth made it easier to talk about the parts of pregnancy and motherhood that people do not always openly discuss.
— Perinatal client, Vancouver (worked with Lynsey Dobbie)

> Working with Lynsey helped me understand that becoming a mother was not just about caring for my baby, it was also about adjusting to a completely new version of myself. She helped me process the guilt, identity shifts, relationship changes, and pressure I was carrying. The homework and reflections she gave me helped me be more compassionate with myself during the week instead of feeling like I was failing. I left sessions feeling understood, supported, and less alone in motherhood.
— New mom, Vancouver (worked with Lynsey Dobbie)

> I came to Lynsey during a season of grief and major life change. She gave me space to process my loss without feeling rushed or judged, while also helping me understand how grief was showing up in my body, mood, and relationships. I found the gentle takeaways between sessions really helpful because they gave me something grounding to return to when things felt heavy. Lynsey helped me honour what I had been through while slowly reconnecting with life again.
— Grief client, Vancouver (worked with Lynsey Dobbie)

> I reached out to Lynsey while navigating perimenopause, aging, and the emotional changes that came with it. I felt disconnected from myself and frustrated by how much was shifting in my body, mood, identity, and relationships. Lynsey helped me make sense of what I was experiencing with compassion, reflection, and practical tools I could use between sessions. I began to feel more grounded, more accepting of this stage of life, and less alone in the changes I was going through.
— Adult client, Downtown Vancouver (worked with Lynsey Dobbie)

> Lynsey helped us have conversations we had been avoiding for a long time. She created a calm and supportive space where each of us felt heard, while also helping us understand the emotional patterns underneath our conflict. We appreciated having communication tools and takeaways to practice at home, so the work continued outside of sessions. Through counselling, we were able to speak with more honesty, compassion, and clarity as a couple and as a family.
— Couple and family therapy client, Vancouver (worked with Lynsey Dobbie)

> I started counselling with Esha after a motor vehicle accident that changed so much of my daily life. I was dealing with chronic pain, anxiety, low mood, and the emotional impact of not feeling like myself anymore. Esha helped me process the trauma of the accident while also giving me practical tools, grounding strategies, and homework to use between sessions. I felt understood, supported, and more equipped to cope with pain, stress, and the uncertainty of recovery.
— ICBC client, Vancouver (worked with Esha Shoker)

> Working with Esha helped our family have conversations we had been avoiding for a long time. She was compassionate, but also direct in helping us understand the patterns that kept creating conflict. We appreciated that sessions did not just end with talking. Esha gave us clear takeaways and things to practice at home, which helped us communicate differently between sessions. We felt supported while working through difficult emotions and family dynamics.
— Family therapy client, Vancouver (worked with Esha Shoker)

> I came to Esha feeling stuck in my career and unsure whether I wanted to keep going down the same path. She helped me sort through my fears, values, strengths, and the pressure I felt to make the 'right' decision. I appreciated that she gave me reflective homework and practical steps to help me organize my thoughts between sessions. Counselling helped me gain clarity, trust myself more, and move toward a career direction that felt more aligned with who I am.
— Individual client, Downtown Vancouver (worked with Esha Shoker)

> Esha helped me understand how ADHD was impacting my daily life, emotions, organization, and relationships. Instead of feeling judged or overwhelmed, I felt supported in finding strategies that actually worked for me. The homework and structure she provided between sessions helped me stay accountable without feeling criticized. She helped me create more routine, reduce shame, and better understand why certain things felt harder than they seemed to for other people.
— ADHD support client, Vancouver (worked with Esha Shoker)

> On the outside, I looked like I was doing well, but internally I felt anxious, exhausted, and constantly under pressure to keep achieving. Esha helped me understand the cost of always pushing myself and never slowing down. I appreciated that she gave me practical tools, honest reflections, and homework that helped me apply what we discussed in my real life. Our sessions helped me set boundaries, reconnect with myself, and build a healthier relationship with success.
— High-performing professional, Downtown Vancouver (worked with Esha Shoker)

> I came to Esha while navigating separation and feeling overwhelmed by grief, guilt, anger, and uncertainty about the future. She helped me process the emotional side of the breakup while also supporting me in making thoughtful decisions for myself and my family. I appreciated having reflection questions and practical takeaways after sessions because they helped me feel more grounded between appointments. Esha helped me feel validated, clearer, and less alone during one of the hardest transitions of my life.
— Separation support client, Vancouver (worked with Esha Shoker)

> Manpreet helped me find strength I didn't realize I still had. I came in feeling confused, silenced, and emotionally drained from a toxic relationship. With her support, I learned to trust my own voice, recognize manipulation, and take steps toward protecting my peace.
— 25, Woman, Surrey (worked with Manpreet Sanghera)

> Working with Manpreet felt safe, real, and culturally understanding. She helped me unpack toxic family patterns in a South Asian home without making me feel guilty or judged. I learned how to set boundaries while still honouring my values and caring for my family in a healthier way.
— 28, Man, Vancouver (worked with Manpreet Sanghera)

> We started counselling because we were stuck in constant conflict and didn't know how to hear each other anymore. Manpreet gave us tools to communicate more clearly, slow down during arguments, and better understand how each person's mental health was impacting the relationship. Our conversations feel calmer, more respectful, and more connected now.
— Heterosexual couple in their thirties, Vancouver (worked with Manpreet Sanghera)

> I moved to Canada hoping for a fresh start, but after my relationship ended because of infidelity, I felt completely lost. I couldn't stop thinking about my ex and struggled to imagine moving forward. Minou never rushed my healing. She helped me process the heartbreak, understand why I was holding on, and slowly rebuild my confidence. I left therapy feeling like I had found my direction again. I will continue seeing Minou because her therapy helped me change my life.
— Newcomer to Canada, Vancouver (worked with Minou Truong)

> My partner and I were looking for a counsellor who would truly understand our polyamorous relationship without trying to fit us into a traditional model. From our first session, Minou created a space where we felt accepted and heard. She helped us have honest conversations about boundaries, expectations, and what felt right for our relationship. We communicate with much more clarity and trust because of her guidance.
— Polyamorous couple, Vancouver (worked with Minou Truong)

> After trust was broken in our relationship, we weren't sure if we could recover. Every conversation seemed to end in frustration or hurt. Minou helped us understand what was happening underneath our reactions and taught us how to communicate without attacking or shutting down. She helped us rebuild trust at a pace that felt realistic, and today our relationship feels stronger than we thought it could. Thank you Minou for being such a caring therapist.
— Couple, Vancouver (worked with Minou Truong)

> For years I couldn't understand why intimacy made me feel anxious or disconnected. Working with Minou helped me realize that experiences from my past were still influencing how I viewed sex and closeness. She approached every conversation with patience and compassion, and I never felt judged or pressured. Through our work together, I've started to heal old wounds and finally feel more comfortable exploring intimacy on my own terms. I highly recommend working with Minou!
— Adult client, Vancouver (worked with Minou Truong)