COUNSELLING

Understand the patterns that keep you stuck,
and find steadiness and strength.

Sometimes it is not that you do not know what to do. Emotions, relationships and past experiences can quietly pull you back into familiar ways of responding.

Counselling offers a place to slow down, understand what is happening, and reconnect with choice, direction and agency.

Book a free 15-minute consultation
Ann Tao offering online individual and couples counselling in Canada

In a relationship where you feel understood,
you can slowly come closer to yourself.

PERHAPS THIS FEELS FAMILIAR

Have you been holding it together for a long time?

You may know that you do not want things to stay this way, yet find yourself returning to the same response when emotions rise, relationships feel uncertain, or life changes.

  • You think and try hard, but still struggle to feel settled inside.
  • You repeatedly accommodate, withdraw or blame yourself in relationships.
  • You are moving through changes in relationships, work, identity or life stage.
  • You feel you should manage alone, while longing for steady support.
Book a free 15-minute consultation

01

Areas I often support

I currently offer adult individual counselling and couples counselling.

You do not need to decide which category your concern belongs to before reaching out. We can begin with what feels most important now.

02

Can counselling help me?

When emotions rise, our minds can easily slip into “autopilot.” By noticing the feelings and needs beneath our behaviour, we can gradually regain a sense of choice and develop more ways to respond.

Change does not mean never feeling difficult emotions again. It may look like:

  • Finding more energy and motivation in daily life
  • Developing new ways to regulate emotions
  • Doing your best while living with uncertainty
  • Meeting your limitations with more acceptance and compassion

03

What might our work together feel like?

01

Clarify your thoughts

Slowly organize what feels tangled, confusing or hard to put into words.

02

Understand and regulate emotions

Notice what emotions are communicating and practise new ways of responding.

03

Recognize your strengths

Reconnect with the resources and capacities you already have, and build trust in yourself.

04

We may work well together if you…

Want more than a quick answer and hope to understand yourself and your relationships.

Feel curious about your emotions, relationship patterns or life choices.

Want someone to help you slow down instead of pushing you to recover quickly.

Hope to feel supported while also noticing what keeps repeating.

Want to move closer to your own strength, values and choices.

05

Some difficulties are shaped not only by the individual,
but also by culture.

I was born and raised in Taiwan and later lived and worked in Canada. These experiences deepened my attention to how culture shapes family, relationships, responsibility, autonomy and identity.

In counselling, I am interested not only in “what is wrong,” but also in this question:

How have your family, relationships and culture shaped the way you see yourself and this experience?
01Cross-cultural adjustment02Asian families and intergenerational relationships03Identity and belonging04Tension between cultural values05Cross-cultural couples

06

Professional background

My work is grounded in an experiential approach, integrating different perspectives and tools according to each person's needs.

Living and working in Taiwan and Canada has also shaped my attention to the cultural, family and relational contexts around a person.

Professional credentials

  • BC Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
  • Taiwan-licensed counselling psychologist

Education and training

  • Master's in Marriage and Family Counselling
  • Gestalt therapy training
  • Emotionally focused therapy training
  • Cognitive behavioural therapy training
  • Expressive therapy training

07

How do I know whether a counsellor is right for me?

  • Can you gradually relax around them?
  • Do you feel that your words are understood?
  • Can you slowly say things that were difficult to express?
  • Does their way of working fit what you need now?

Sometimes, you need to experience the interaction to know.

Before formal counselling begins, I offer a free 15-minute initial consultation.

We can briefly discuss your situation and expectations, while giving you a clearer sense of how counselling may unfold.

Book a free 15-minute consultation

08

Frequently asked questions

What happens in the first counselling session?

We will spend time understanding what you are going through, the context of your life and relationships, and what you hope counselling may offer. You do not need to explain everything at once or know which issue matters most. We can begin with what feels most present for you.

How often do sessions happen, and how long does counselling take?

There is no schedule that fits everyone. Frequency and length depend on your current situation, the concerns you want to explore, your availability, and the direction we discuss together.

Can counselling be in Chinese or English?

Yes. I offer counselling in Chinese and English. If your life crosses languages and cultures, we can also discuss which language helps you express your experience most naturally.

How much does counselling cost?

Fees and arrangements vary by service type and location. You will see the information relevant to you during booking. If you are unsure which service to choose, you are welcome to begin with a free 15-minute consultation.

Do you offer both individual and couples counselling?

Yes. I currently work with adults in individual counselling and with couples. If you are unsure which format fits your situation, we can discuss it during the free consultation.

You do not need to have every answer right now.

If you are wondering whether it may be time to look at what is happening with someone,
we can begin with one simple conversation.

Book a free 15-minute consultation