Vivian Qiu, M.A., RCC

Registered Clinical Counsellor (#20694)

Who I See

In my practice, I work with teens and adults who are worried, anxious, and scared of being judged by others. They replay their actions and decisions, particularly in social situations, and feel ashamed or guilty for how they behaved. They notice every mistake they made.

My clients also feel enormous pressure to live up to their own and others’ expectations. They feel like nothing they do is good enough. On the outside, they work hard to make it look as though they’re fine when, on the inside, they feel like they’re a near-constant disappointment and failing in many aspects of life. They’re exhausted. They don’t believe in or trust themselves.

The teens I work with often worry and need repeated reassurance. They struggle to get along with their peers, siblings, and family. They seem uninterested in social interactions and spend a lot of time in their room. They get angry or annoyed when talking about their peers and refuse to take advice from their parents. When parents attempt to help, it often results in a fight.

Parents often feel frustrated, helpless, and worried about their teen. They want their child to get back on track before it’s “too late.”

Regardless of the approach, I work to create a safe space for you to explore your emotions and experiences. During our sessions, you can expect me to be accepting, non-judgmental, and culturally sensitive.

You and I will work together to uncover the emotional patterns and negative self-talk that keep you feeling “stuck.” We will compassionately explore the emotional pain you endured from past relationships and experiences so that you can re-process and make sense of these experiences and feel less weighed down by them. We will also tap into your healthy emotions and use them as a guide to meet your most important needs.

Through our work, clients come to feel less anxious and more confident in themselves. They learn to communicate better, trust themselves more, and feel less weighed down by past experiences. They learn to have emotions without feeling overwhelmed or controlled by them. In turn, their relationships, work, and academic performance often significantly improve.

About Me

I am registered with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and completed my Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Mental Health Counselling at Boston College, a university located in Massachusetts, USA. I have practised in private practice and multidisciplinary outpatient centres, providing counselling to adults, teens, and children who struggle with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. I have also co-facilitated DBT skills training groups for women with histories of complex trauma.

As a therapist, I enjoy helping clients access their natural strengths and wisdom, and transform emotional experiences so that they can feel calmer and more confident in their relationships with themselves and others.

In my spare time, I enjoy painting in watercolour, taking walks in nature, and having dessert with my close friends.

Client Focus: Adult Individuals, Teens (13-18 years old)

Specialties: Social Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety, Depression, Childhood Emotional Neglect, Low Self-Esteem, Grief, Procrastination, Perfectionism, Issues Related to Cultural Adjustment, Difficulties with Peers

Types of Therapy:

• Emotion-Focused Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy