About Me

Hi, I’m Sonia!

Canadian Clinical Counsellor (CCC) #11253581

A woman with long dark hair smiling while sitting near a body of water with mountains in the background.

If you have read about Seeking Sunrise, you already know some of the heart behind this practice. This is where I get to share more about who I am, how I show up, and why Parker is not just here for the cuddles, even though he takes that part of his job very seriously.

I came to this work through lived experience as much as training. I have moved through seasons of severe anxiety and depression and have lost multiple family members to suicide. I also had the kind of late-in-life clarity that arrived when I finally received my ADHD diagnosis. It was the moment where everything clicked into place and I found myself thinking, Aha. That makes a ton of freaking sense. I know the feeling of sitting with a therapist and wondering quietly, “Will you really get me?” I also learned early on that I felt most grounded outside and moving. Walking on a trail, moving on the water, or settling a hand on a dog’s warm fur helped me breathe and hear myself think in a way indoor rooms rarely did.

I come from a blended cultural and biracial background. My mom is a first generation immigrant from Hong Kong, and my dad is of European descent. Growing up between cultures shaped how I listen, how I make sense of the world, and how I honour the many ways people carry their stories. That lens guides me in the therapy space, where I lead with curiosity, humility, humour, and care.

My academic and professional roots sit outside the therapy room and began in environmental and land-based work. Much of my early career focused on how people connect with land, food, nature, and community. These experiences strengthened my appreciation for the natural world and my belief that healing can be supported by nature, movement, and relationship.

I also knew I wanted to offer something different, which is why I chose a dog who was specifically trained to support this work. These threads come together at Seeking Sunrise, where I integrate relational talk and experiential therapy with nature based approaches such as walk and talk sessions, kayak sessions, and animal-assisted sessions with Parker, my sweet and very committed therapy dog. Many people find that movement and time in nature help them feel less overwhelmed and more able to open up at their own pace.

You do not need to have the right words or the perfect starting point. You can come exactly as you are. My hope is to offer a space that feels safe, grounded, and real, where you feel understood, supported, and welcomed in your full humanity.

I strive not to be the clipboard and “I have the solutions to all your problems” kind of therapist. I show up with presence, curiosity, and honesty, and usually with dog fur on my pants because, honestly, that is just my life. I work from a trauma informed and relational lens, which means we move at your pace, but with intention. I am here to hold space gently, ask honest questions, and walk beside you with heart, not ahead of you.
I draw from approaches like Parts Work, ACT, Narrative Therapy, CBT, EFT, and attachment based practices. These tools matter, but the real work happens in relationship, in safety, and in showing up even when everything feels messy as hell.
Sessions can happen indoors, outdoors, or virtually with Parker curled up nearby or demanding attention. We let him have his moments.
And yes, you can bring your memes, TikToks, and random pop culture references. If something is funny, weird, or hits a little too close to home, we can talk about it. Humour belongs here. So does being your whole, unfiltered self.
These are the approaches I draw from, depending on what fits you best:
- Humanistic Therapy
  A client-centered foundation that honors your capacity for healing and meaning-making.
- Attachment-Based Therapy
  Explores how early relationships shape present-day patterns and connections.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) / Parts Work
  Helps you connect with the different “parts” of yourself — with curiosity, compassion, and care.
- Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
  Supports understanding and transforming emotions in a safe therapeutic space.
- Narrative Therapy
  Reclaims your story by helping you re-author the beliefs shaped by your lived experience.
- Solution-Focused Therapy
  Highlights strengths and supports change by centring what’s already working.
- Somatic and Body Based Approaches
  Helps you tune into the body’s cues, sensations, and wisdom to support regulation, grounding, and healing from stress and trauma.
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  Blends mindfulness and values to support living with purpose — even with difficult emotions.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  Helps shift unhelpful thought and behaviour patterns that may be impacting your well-being.
- Nature-Based Therapy & Mindfulness
  Draws on the grounding and regulating power of the natural world to support healing.
- Canine-Assisted Interventions
  Includes Parker (my co-therapist) in the process — offering connection, co-regulation, and laughter through the human–animal bond.
- Snacks, tea, coffee, and ginger ale are fully approved therapy beverages in this space.
- Parker thinks he runs the practice. Honestly, he isn’t wrong. If you leave with his fur on your clothes, consider it a complimentary grounding tool.
- At home, I have what I lovingly call the “Ferrari version” of Parker, Ellie.
- Nature is where I ground myself, whether it is a quiet walk or going out to earn a few bruises on my mountain bike.
- I also find steadiness in books, movement, cooking, and slow mornings.
- And yes, I love humour in the therapy room, the kind that brings a little breath when things feel heavy. You never need to hold back your humour, your swears, or your weirdness here.

Qualifications and Trainings

Professional Background

My path has been shaped by education, community work, and leadership. Early on, I co-created and led land-based experiential learning programs that supported young people in connecting with the land, nature, and sustainable farming practices. This work was guided by Indigenous ways of knowing, including the Two-Eyed Seeing approach, which bridges Indigenous and Western knowledge systems.

I have also facilitated and managed summer camps focused on empowerment and skill-building, especially for marginalized communities. Alongside that, I co-developed and managed pilot programs to support BIPOC women wanting to pursue careers in STEM and to create work experience and internship opportunities for BIPOC young adults. Through these experiences, I learned the importance of co-creating safe spaces, uplifting leadership, and working alongside communities in meaningful ways.

I have volunteered with a crisis line, offering support to people in moments of need, and participated in a therapy dog program, assisting with animal-assisted interventions that bring comfort during times of challenge. I have also been part of a working group action team working to improve community-based care for youth experiencing substance use and mental health challenges and have shared my voice as a keynote speaker at suicide prevention and mental health events.

All of these experiences inspired me to pursue a Master’s in Counselling so I could deepen my skills and offer more meaningful support. They continue to shape how I show up as a therapist today, with a focus on social justice, cultural humility, and relational care.