Areas of Clinical Expertise & Specialization
Complex Mental Health Conditions
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- Integrative treatment combining DBT, EFT, EMDR, and IFS
- Emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills
- Relationship patterns and attachment healing
- Self-harm and suicidal ideation management
Bipolar Disorder
- Mood stabilization and symptom management
- Developing healthy routines and sleep hygiene
- Identifying and managing triggers
- Supporting medication adherence and collaboration with psychiatrists
Psychosis & Psychotic Disorders
- Reality testing and grounding techniques
- Managing hallucinations and delusions
- Recovery-oriented approach with family psychoeducation
- Coordinated care with your psychiatric team
Substance Use & Addiction
- Harm reduction and recovery-oriented approaches
- Understanding addiction as a coping mechanism for trauma
- Dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health and substance use
- Relapse prevention and breaking intergenerational patterns
Dissociative Disorders
- Trauma-informed treatment for DID, OSDD, and dissociative symptoms
- Grounding techniques and managing dissociative episodes
- Parts work and internal communication using IFS
- Building safety and stability in your daily life
Narcissistic Abuse & Relational Trauma
- Recovery from narcissistic abuse in families, romantic relationships, and workplaces
- Healing from trauma bonding, gaslighting, and manipulation
- Rebuilding your sense of self and setting healthy boundaries
- Breaking intergenerational cycles of abuse
Eating Disorders
- Treatment for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID, and orthorexia
- Healing your relationship with food, body, and self-image
- Addressing underlying trauma, perfectionism, and control issues
- DBT skills and somatic approaches for emotion regulation and body reconnection
Neurodevelopmental & Neurodivergent Support
ADHD (Children, Adolescents & Adults)
- Comprehensive ADHD assessments and diagnosis
- Executive function coaching and organizational strategies
- Strength-based approaches that honor your unique wiring
- Medication management support and collaboration with prescribers
Autism Spectrum
- Neurodivergent-affirming therapy that celebrates who you are
- Social communication support and sensory processing strategies
- Family education and advocacy
- Building skills while honoring your authentic self
Trauma & PTSD
Complex Trauma (C-PTSD)
- EMDR therapy and EMDR intensives for layered trauma
- Somatic experiencing and body-based healing
- Parts work using Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Specialized support for refugees and survivors of war
Single-Incident Trauma
- EMDR for motor vehicle accidents, assault, and violence
- Processing medical trauma and sudden loss
- Restoring your sense of safety and control
- Preventing long-term PTSD symptoms
Mood & Anxiety Disorders
- Treatment for depression, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and social anxiety
- Evidence-based approaches including CBT, DBT, and EMDR
- Understanding the connection between anxiety, trauma, and nervous system activation
- Building coping skills and reclaiming your life from worry and low mood
Life Transitions & Adjustment
- Immigration and settlement stress, including refugee experiences
- Navigating relationship breakups, divorce, and family changes
- Career transitions and identity exploration
- Grief and loss support through major life changes
Therapeutic Approaches & Modalities
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Somatic & Polyvagal-Informed Therapy
Gottman Therapy
Play & Sand Tray Therapy
Canine-Assisted Therapy
Narrative Therapy
My Therapeutic Style
I'm direct, warm, and collaborative. I won't just nod and ask "how does that make you feel?" - I bring active engagement, practical strategies, and genuine partnership to our work. My background in immigration law taught me to advocate fiercely while honoring each person's story. As a trilingual therapist offering services in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, I practice with cultural humility and deep respect for diverse experiences. I integrate humor when it feels right, celebrate your progress, and provide structured support for building the life you want.
What Makes Me Different
Integrated Expertise
Lived Experience
Neurodivergent-Affirming Care
Therapy That Meets Your Timeline
Therapeutic Companions
Cultural & Linguistic Competent
Meet Evee & Emma
Canine-Assisted Therapy: Meet Emma & Evee
Emma (Bernese Mountain Dog) and Evee (Bernedoodle) aren't just office pets—they're therapy dogs who facilitate healing.
Why it works: Interacting with therapy dogs lowers cortisol (stress hormone) by 12-17% Creates physiological calm during trauma processing Offers safe connection for clients who've experienced human betrayal Helps children with ADHD/autism regulate and focus
Not comfortable with dogs? Sessions without Emma and Evee are always available.
Who I Help
You want therapy in Mandarin or Cantonese
You've experienced trauma and need specialized treatment
Your relationship is in crisis
You're parenting a neurodivergent child
You've crossed borders and cultures
You're struggling with anxiety, depression, or overwhelming emotions
Let's Talk About Whether We're a Good Fit
Book Your Free 15-Minute Consultation
Finding the right therapist matters. A brief consultation can help determine whether working together feels supportive and aligned.
If we're not the right fit, I'll help you find someone who is.
Beyond the Therapy Room: My Life Outside Clinical Work
Advocacy informs my work — but therapy remains grounded, relational, and client-centred.
I don't just study trauma and resilience academically—I've lived it.
I grew up in a country torn by civil war. I've navigated the refugee system. I've rebuilt identity across languages and borders more than once. I know what it means to lose everything familiar and still find the strength to build something new in Canada.
That lived experience isn't separate from my clinical work as a therapist in Markham—it's woven into every session. It's why I can sit with your grief about leaving your homeland without rushing you toward "gratitude for opportunity." It's why I understand that acculturation isn't linear. It's why I know code-switching across languages, cultures, and professional identities is exhausting.
Outside the therapy room, I'm:
- A proud dog mom to Emma and Evee, who teach me daily about presence and unconditional acceptance
- A professor at George Brown College who believes legal education should include trauma-awareness
- Someone who values deep conversation over small talk and believes healing is both personal and communal
Let's Talk About Whether We're a Good Fit
Book Your Free 15-Minute Consultation
Whether you’re seeking therapy for yourself, an ADHD assessment, or support as a parent navigating neurodivergence, we’ll explore what support makes the most sense for you.
If we're not the right fit, I'll help you find someone who is.
What Clients Say
"After years of talk therapy that went nowhere, EMDR with Bonny finally helped me process childhood trauma. I was skeptical at first, but the difference in 8 weeks was incredible."
— S.K., Client from Markham
"Evee made therapy possible for me. I suffered from severe anxiety, making therapy almost impossible for many years. Evee's presence made me feel super grounded."
— R.T., Client from Stouffville
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! All services are available in English, Mandarin (普通话), and Cantonese (廣東話). This isn't just translation—I provide culturally responsive therapy that understands the nuances of Chinese family systems, immigrant stressors, and cultural values.
Yes, I provide comprehensive ADHD assessments for adults (18+). The assessment includes clinical interviews, standardized testing, and a detailed report you can use for accommodations, treatment planning, or documentation purposes.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy for trauma. Unlike talk therapy, it helps your brain reprocess traumatic memories without requiring you to describe events in detail. Research shows EMDR is highly effective for PTSD, with many clients experiencing significant relief in 6-12 sessions.
Absolutely. My background as a legal profession means I know how to write documentation that schools and institutions actually accept.
I can provide:
- Psychological assessment letters
- Accommodation recommendations for IEPs
- Support at IEP meetings (as your advocate)
- Appeals when schools refuse appropriate services
Not always. Sometimes I work with just the parents to develop strategies, and other times I meet with the whole family. We'll determine the best approach based on your child's age, the issues you're facing, and what will be most effective.
Emma and Evee are available for sessions when helpful, but not required. Some clients specifically request canine-assisted therapy, while others prefer sessions without the dogs. It's entirely your choice, and you can change your preference anytime.
I provide receipts for all sessions that you can submit to your extended health insurance for reimbursement. Most plans in Ontario cover Registered Psychotherapists. I can also explore other funding options like EAP, Victim Services, or WSIB if applicable.
Both are regulated mental health professionals in Ontario. Psychologists have doctoral degrees (PhD or PsyD) and can do certain types of assessments. Registered Psychotherapists have master's degrees in counseling or psychotherapy. For most therapy needs, the clinical skills are equivalent—and many clients find RPs more accessible due to cost and availability.
It depends on your goals. Some clients see significant improvement in 8-12 sessions (especially with EMDR or intensive programs), while others benefit from longer-term support. I'm transparent about expected timelines and we regularly review progress so you're never stuck in endless therapy.
Yes! I provide secure video therapy to clients anywhere in Ontario. Many clients start with virtual sessions for convenience, and some choose to do a mix of in-person and virtual depending on their schedule.
Education & Professional Credentials
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), M.A. Counselling Psychology
Specialized Clinical Certifications
| Specialty Area | Certification/Training |
|---|---|
| Trauma & PTSD | Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies (Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, 2024) |
| Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) - Polyvagal Theory | |
| EMDR Certification | |
| Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) - Dr. Sue Johnson | |
| DBT & Complex Mental Health | DBT-Certified Therapist, 2024 |
| Personality Disorders Specialist | |
| Psychosis Training | |
| Anxiety & OCD | Anxiety Disorders Certification (CBT, Exposure & Response Prevention for GAD, Panic Disorder, OCD, Social Anxiety, Phobias) |
| Neurodevelopmental & Neurodivergent Care | ADHD Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP) |
| Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS) | |
| Autism & Neurodiversity Specialist (University of British Columbia, 2024) | |
| Children & Adolescent Mental Health | Play Therapy Certification, 2026 |
| Youth Mental Health Specialist | |
| Eating Disorders | Binge Eating & Chronic Dieting Certification |
| Internal Family Systems | Complete IFS Therapy Immersion |
| Crisis Intervention | Suicide Assessment & Intervention Certification |
| Couples Therapy | Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level 1 & 2) |
| Clinical Documentation | DSM-5-TR Mastery (Differential Diagnosis & Documentation) |
| Legal & Systemic Trauma | Trauma-Informed Practice for Legal Practitioners (Department of Justice) |
Recognition & Professional Contributions
2022 Attorney General's Victim Services Award of Distinction
Recognition for trauma-informed advocacy with survivors of violence
United Nations Volunteer
Mental health access advocacy for women, girls, and marginalized communities
Abstract Reviewer, Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)
Contributing to the integrity of psychological research with emphasis on trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and ethical practice
Professor, George Brown College
Paralegal Program - Trauma-informed, equity-focused legal education
Law Society of Ontario CPD Presenter
Training legal professionals on vicarious trauma and burnout prevention
