Michael Chu

Michael Chu is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) who practices psychodynamic psychotherapy, focusing on emotional exploration and self-awareness to foster meaningful change. He believes therapy is a collaborative journey, empowering clients to uncover insights and regain control over their lives. Having lived between Hong Kong and Canada, Michael deeply understands the challenges of cultural transitions, homesickness, and finding belonging in a new environment. Clients working with Michael can expect a tailored approach that honors their unique stories, boundaries, and pace. He has a special interest in helping individuals navigate identity and cultural adjustment while maintaining a strong sense of self. If you’re ready to explore your journey in a safe and supportive space, Michael invites you to connect.

My experiences and interests give me a unique understanding of…

the challenges of moving to a new place and finding a new home.
losing direction and purpose in life
struggling to find self worth
the difficulties of discovering your own voice and identity.

My cultural or ancestral background is…

I am a Chinese-Canadian who has spent my life between Hong Kong and Canada.

My work as a therapist is inspired by (not limited to)...

My clients describe me using words like…

Patient
Understanding
Funny
Kind
Optimistic
Insightful
Supportive
Wise

Expertise

Areas of Focus

Aging

Anxiety

Anxiety and Stress Management Skills

Attachment

Behaviour

Boundaries and boundary setting

Break-up recovery

Building Meaningful Connections

Burnout

Career guidance

Childhood trauma

Competitive anxiety

Conflict resolution

Cultural Challenges

Dating challenges

Decision making

Deep connections

Dissociation

Depression

Dreams

Effective communication

Emotional regulation

Empowerment

Existential questions

Ethics

Familial and social relationships

Goal setting

Grief and loss

Grief processing

Grief/Loss

Identity and Self-Exploration

Identity

Imposter syndrome

Interpersonal dynamics

Intergenerational trauma

Life transitions

Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth

Meaning and purpose

Men's issues

Mental performance

Mindfulness

Motivation

Negative thinking and ruminating

Performance anxiety

Perfectionism

Relationship anxiety

Relationships

Self-Development

Self-esteem

Self-Regulation

Social anxiety

Stress

Thought Restructuring

Transformative dream work

Transitioning into Adulthood

Trauma

Trauma processing

Understanding & Regulating Emotions

Vulnerability

Wellness Counselling

Workplace stress

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My clients often self-identify as…

male and female adults
individuals influenced by south-east Asian culture
immigrants who are homesick or trying to adapt to Canada
adults who are struggling with aging

I’m the right therapist for you if…

are lost with no sense of direction
are new to therapy and want a therapist who will be there for you step by step
are stressed and need someone to listen and be there for you
are having some dreams you don't understand and want to seek meaning
are looking for a therapist to take that plunge with you and explore the pains and challenges you've hidden from the world

Therapeutic Approach

Lifespan Integration

Depth Psychotherapy

Psychodynamic Therapy

Self-Compassion

Mindfulness

Dream Therapy

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If we work together you can expect to feel...

safe to explore your feelings and pains
like you have a partner to work with you on your journey to self-discovery
supported in building healthy habits and perspectives
engaged with questions that make you think and reflect
supported that you can be yourself and be accepted in all your colourful identity

Served Populations

Seniors (65+)

Adults (18+)

Practice Details

Service Offerings & Rates

Initial Consultation (15 min)

Free

Individual Therapy (60 min)

$120

Sliding scale offered on case by case basis

Couples Therapy (60 min)

Sliding scale offered on case by case basis

During your free consultation, we'll go over...

what psychodynamic psychotherapy is
what brings you to therapy
how the therapy process will work
how I work with you in therapy
what are some things we can start working on together
any questions you may have

If we work together you can expect me to…

be interested in understanding your unique story and be with you every step of the way
consistent to how I showed up in my intro video
open to helping you determine if therapy is a good fit for you
supporting you when you're ready to take a step forward
listening intently so that you can have your story heard