Joanne Chiu, MC, RCC
EMDR, Trauma & Addiction Recovery Therapist (she/her)

"No one gets through childhood unscathed. When your past keeps overtaking your present, I help ground you in the now."

Finding calm amidst the chaos

Life can get messy (okay, really messy). Sometimes the goal is more calm and less chaos. Other times, it's finding calm regardless of the chaos and complicated relationships around you. Are distressing thoughts, feelings, and behaviours bringing you down? I'm here to help you find a sense of calm you haven't accessed before, so you can live with greater clarity, confidence, and comfort.

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I welcome you to take a centring breath right now.

 

Maybe wiggle your toes or notice the rhythm of your heart beating.

 

Take a moment to check in with yourself. What kind of relief are you looking for today?

 

Whether you choose talk therapy or EMDR therapy with me, we'll explore not only what's happening for you but also how your mind and body are responding to it.

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Real talk and an East Van flavour

I grew up in East Van, and I bring that flavour to our sessions. That means I keep it real, offering you a safe, down-to-earth space to share the tough stuff at your own pace. I know starting or restarting therapy can feel intimidating, but you don't have to navigate it alone.

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My background includes facilitating workshops in a variety of community settings, like Coast Mental Health, Union Gospel Mission, Heartwood Treatment Centre, Salvation Army's Belkin House, and Burnaby Youth Custody. I've also been a guest lecturer at the Adler School of Professional Psychology and the UBC Master of Social Work program.

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Building tools for lasting change

I hold a Master's degree in Counselling and am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC). I work with clients to address complex topics like trauma from childhood, work, or religion. With some clients, we tackle the challenges of parenting differently from how you were raised, and with other clients, we build the practical tools needed to prevent relapse and create lasting recovery. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness my clients’ growth and breakthroughs.

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A little about me

​I live with my husband, two kids, and a black and tan Shiba Inu. Growing up, I attended many Vancouver Grizzlies basketball games, including their final home game. More recently, I've been spending my time finding new use cases for my Cricut or Stream Deck, caring for my aging mother, and competing in Rubik's cube solving competitions.

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Whenever you're ready, feel free to reach out and say hi. You can book a free 30-minute consultation to see if I'm a good fit for your goals. I look forward to meeting you.