Background

My name is Janet Shim and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Canadian Certified Counsellor at Avery Therapy Centre.  Over the past 16 years, my role as a public servant has allowed me to experience meaningful engagement with citizens from various abilities, life stages, cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.  This invaluable experience has shaped my personal journey towards helping diverse individuals seek clarity and direction, find balance and deeper self-understanding.

 

My country of origin is Brunei and my first language is Hakka (a Chinese language). As a first-generation Chinese-Canadian female, my experience growing up in Canada involved integrating traditional cultural values of collectivism, family loyalty, and filial piety with values of individualism, uniqueness, and self-identity. I support those interested in exploring their intersectional identities, gender roles, personal values, and beliefs as part of the therapeutic process.

 

I hold a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations. Outside of counselling, I enjoy travelling, playing piano, and spending quality time with my family, friends and two pups. During my leisure time, you will find me walking on the seawall or soaking in the sun amongst the trees at a local trail with my dogs.

 

Therapeutic Approach

I strive to provide a safe, non-judgemental, and compassionate environment for you to share your personal stories and experiences.  I hope to accompany you along your journey to explore any stuck or ambiguous feelings that many of us come across throughout various phases in our lives.  From a person-centered approach, we will work together to illuminate your existing strengths and internal resources of resilience that can be harnessed in your healing journey.  We will collaboratively discover what you need, as I draw from evidence-based strategies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Gottman Theory, Somatic, Existential and Mindfulness approaches. 

 

Having personal lived experience with childhood and relational trauma as well as challenges with cultural gender role expectations, I hope that my healing journey provides a source of solace and inspiration to those navigating a similar path.  Our sessions will progress in tune with your level of comfort and I invite you to provide me with feedback at any point throughout therapy as we co-create the best care for you.

 

From a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and socially just lens, I support you in bringing awareness to the social, cultural, and economic context affecting your mental, physical, and spiritual health.  My goal is to support individuals and couples to overcome patterns, emotions, and behaviours that may be hindering the potential to live a connected, authentic, and meaningful life.

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My availability can be found here.