About Me
Who is Y. Bonnie Chi?
Since 2014, I have had the privilege of walking alongside people of all ages, genders, religions, and experiences as they move through healing of many kinds. I am a queer Taiwanese Canadian (they/them) working on unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations, otherwise known as the Vancouver Lower Mainland, British Columbia.
Growing up in a traditional conservative household, I know what it means to be a steward of my own disparate truth and a bridge between cultures. It’s challenging to grapple with competing values and boundaries in a family setting, especially when there are cultural and language barriers at play. It is my greatest pride to support others in their journeys with a space devoted to non-judgemental, authentic healing.
My Mission
“My mission is to motivate, guide, and advocate, and to help people who need support by empowering them to make informed decisions in their community. I believe that healing begins when we can find safe spaces where we can be unapologetically and whole-heartedly ourselves, without fear of judgement. I hope that I can have the opportunity to provide that safe space for you.”
For me, growing up between two cultures, Taiwanese and Canadian, I learned early what it means to integrate different norms and values in myself and in my family. Being a member of the queer community as well, I’ve worked to reconcile my truth with a traditional, religious, and conservative upbringing. What I bring to my work is a deep appreciation for the journey through guilt, shame, and anxiety that can be present when different parts of one’s life are at odds with each other.
It is my honour to support clients in their healing. For me, doing my job well means supporting individuals with the best possible tools as they navigate their journeys.
Some areas in which I can offer personalized support are:
- Exploration of personal identity (LGBTQIA2S+, faith, etc.)
- Cross-cultural issues
- Trauma (relational, emotional, physical, spiritual)
- Academic and career exploration
- Family conflict
- Accidents and sports injuries
- Chronic pain
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Self-harm
- Suicidal ideation
- Attachment
- Time management
- Procrastination
I Speak Your Language:
- Activism & Advocacy – Professional Working Proficiency
- Canadian English – Fluent/Native Proficiency
- Current Events – Professional Working Proficiency
- Film – Limited Working Proficiency
- Geek – Professional Working Proficiency
- LGBTQIA2S+ – Fluent/Native Proficiency
- Harry Potter – Professional Working Proficiency
- Mandarin – Professional Working Proficiency
- Sci-Fi – Limited Working Proficiency
- Sports – Limited Working Proficiency
- Video Games – Limited Working Proficiency
Professional Affiliations
I hold a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and professional designations of Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), with membership in both the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) and the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC).
My work has taken me from Fraser River Counselling to Sources Community Resources Society, Douglas College, University of the Fraser Valley, and Fraser Health. In addition to counselling work, I also host workshops and provide consulting support.
Specialized Training
- Motivational Interviewing Foundations
- Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
- ADHD Inside Out Framework
- San’yas: Indigenous Cultural Safety
- A Primer on Clinical Supervision: Establishment of a Framework for Informed Supervision
- Superhero Therapy
- Supporting Career Development for LGBTQ+ Students: Partnerships, tools, and approaches
- Counselling at a Distance: Using Video, Telephone, and Text-Based Methods to Connect with Clients
- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
- Introduction to Gender Variance in Children and Youth
- Supporting Gender Creative Children and their Families
- ASIST: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
- safeTALK: Suicide Alertness for Everyone
- Observed & Experiential Integration (OEI) Level II
- Observed & Experiential Integration (OEI) Level I
- Sand Tray / Rice Tray Workshop
- Gottman Level 1: Bridging the Couple Chasm
Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kwantlen Polytechnic University
- Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Trinity Western University
Community Involvement
- Fraser Health – Gender Inclusivity Working Group
- BC Post-Secondary Counsellors’ Association (BCPSCA) – Membership Director
Registration
Professional Member of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) possessing a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC Member #16334) designation.
Professional Member of the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) possessing a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC Member #10003368) designation.
How does this work?
If I had to wager a guess, you’re here to figure out whether I am a good fit to be your therapist. The fastest way to do that is to schedule a free consultation, and go from there!