Question 1

Who does Chui Counselling work with?

Accepted Answer

I work with adults across British Columbia, with a particular focus on men and on people processing trauma. Many clients arrive carrying things they've never said out loud — pressure at work, relationship strain, grief, anger, the lasting impact of childhood or relational abuse. You don't need a diagnosis or a clear label for what's going on to start.

Question 2

What kind of therapy do you practise?

Accepted Answer

My work is relational, trauma-informed, and paced — not protocol-driven. Grounded in person-centred principles, I draw primarily on Internal Family Systems (IFS) and EMDR, supported by somatic and mindfulness techniques. Rather than fitting you to a single modality, I adapt the approach to what your nervous system can hold and what you're working on. The therapy room is direct and unsentimental: real conversation, not a script.

Question 3

What is IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapy, and how do you use it?

Accepted Answer

IFS helps you get to know the different parts of yourself — especially the ones that are hurting or overworking — so you can heal from the inside out. Rather than treating an angry, anxious, or self-critical part as the problem, we get curious about what it's protecting and what it needs. In session this looks like slowing down, noticing what's actually present, and building a different relationship with the parts of you that have been carrying too much for too long. I completed IFS Informed Practitioner training with IFSCA and use IFS as a core part of how I work with trauma, anxiety, and inner conflict.

Question 4

Do you offer EMDR therapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured therapy that uses bilateral stimulation — typically eye movements — to help the brain reprocess distressing memories so they lose their emotional charge. It's well-evidenced for single-incident and complex trauma, and often helpful for grief, anxiety, and stuck patterns rooted in earlier experiences. I completed EMDRIA-approved EMDR Basic Training with Alicia Maric and integrate EMDR with IFS and somatic work depending on what fits.

Question 5

Why do so many of your clients identify as men?

Accepted Answer

A lot of the men I see were raised to handle things on their own and arrive sceptical that talking will change anything. I make room for the parts of life that don't fit the "handle it" script — pressure at work, fatherhood, anger, grief, the quiet sense that something is off — without performance and without being fixed. Vancouver has plenty of good therapists; not all of them are easy for men to settle into. That's a gap I deliberately work in.

Question 6

Do you offer trauma therapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes — trauma and abuse are a primary focus of the practice. That includes complex and relational trauma, childhood abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and the lasting wounds that shape how people see themselves and others. The work is paced and relational; we don't push for catharsis or force you to relive events to make progress.

Question 7

How much does a session cost?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are $170–$295 for a 50-minute session, which sits within the typical Vancouver range for a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC). Most BC extended health plans cover counselling with an RCC — check your plan for "Registered Clinical Counsellor" or "Clinical Counsellor" coverage. ICBC and CVAP sessions may be covered in full when you meet program criteria.

Question 8

Do you take ICBC or CVAP clients?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I see ICBC clients following a motor vehicle incident and CVAP (Crime Victim Assistance Program) clients affected by crime, subject to each program's approval. Both must be booked online — ICBC and CVAP sessions can't be booked through the in-person clinic schedule.

Question 9

Where do sessions happen — in person or online?

Accepted Answer

Both. In-person sessions run out of Avery Therapy Centre in Downtown Vancouver. Online sessions are available to anyone physically located in British Columbia at the time of the session, on a secure PIPEDA-compliant platform. Many clients alternate based on what their week looks like.

Question 10

What's your background and registration?

Accepted Answer

I'm a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) registered with the BCACC — registration #27740. In BC, "therapist" and "counsellor" aren't protected titles, so it's worth checking. RCC registration means master's-level training, ongoing supervision and continuing education, and a binding code of ethics. Most extended health plans recognise RCCs for coverage.

Question 11

How do I know if you're the right fit?

Accepted Answer

The honest answer: by talking. I offer a free 15-minute consultation so you can ask questions, get a sense of how I work, and decide without pressure. Fit matters more than credentials — and if I'm not the right person for what you're carrying, I'll say so and point you toward someone who is.

Question 12

What happens in a first session, and how long do people usually stay?

Accepted Answer

The first session is mostly about getting a sense of each other: what's bringing you in, what you've already tried, what you're hoping might shift. There's no pressure to share everything at once. Some clients come for a focused piece of work over 6–12 sessions; others — particularly those processing complex or developmental trauma — work over longer periods because nervous-system and relational patterns take time to change. We revisit your goals as we go, and you're never locked in.

Working with Chui Counselling

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