A Chinese femme person crouches at an outdoor skatepark, laughing as they look to their right. They are wearing a yellow sweater with large green flowers, which matches the green streaks in their hair
Who I Am
I am a non-binary, queer, 1.5 generation Chinese-Canadian immigrant settler, residing on the unceded traditional territories of hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh peoples (known colonially as Burnaby). Additionally, I identify as neurodivergent and mentally ill, while acknowledging my privileges of middle-class and able-bodied status.
Beyond my role as a counsellor and art therapist, I’m also a parent, navigating the chaotic and magical experience of nurturing a small human. As an avid artist, I find joy in diverse creative pursuits, such as caring for plants and animals, painting, collaging, cooking, and immersing myself in wild imaginations of creating new worlds and stories through video games.
Where I Came From
I was born in Kunming, China, and raised by my grandmother for most of my early childhood. It was during this time that I began to explore art-making. My grandmother, a self-taught painter, was the first person to show me what resilience and healing could look like—though I didn’t fully understand it then.
When I immigrated to Canada with my parents at the age of 12, I left behind not only my grandmother but also my connection to art. Much of my energy became focused on navigating the complexities of assimilation, gender questioning, and displacement. Like many third-culture kids, I often felt unseen and misunderstood. Through adolescence and early adulthood, I had to figure out a lot on my own.
Amidst the loneliness, though, there were also moments of connection—glimpses of belonging and being recognized. Learning to hold space for conflicting feelings has been essential for my mental and emotional health. It’s an ongoing process, and one that continues to teach me how to live with greater honesty and gentleness toward myself.
When I reflect on my path so far, I see that the most meaningful shifts have come through relationships and communities of care. In these spaces, I’ve begun to reclaim parts of myself and make room for growth—not by fixing or completing anything, but by staying present with the full spectrum of who I am.
An elderly Chinese woman stands on the left side of a smiling Chinese toddler. Both are smiling warmly.
How I Can Support You
I see my work as a therapist and my experience as a human being as deeply interconnected. While my education and training provide a strong foundation, it is my lived experience and inner knowing that most inform how I support those who share space with me.
Through my own life journey, I’ve found profound healing in embracing the concept of "enoughness." In the therapeutic space, my role is to gently guide you toward connecting with your own sense of being enough—fostering compassion, self-acceptance, and the full expression of your humanity.
