Guilt and shame are some of the most vulnerable feelings that show up regularly in therapy. When guilt is near, shame is never far away, and both can take hold of how we feel about ourselves in relation to the world around us.

When life becomes too difficult to bear, our nature is to disconnect from ourselves to survive. We might lose touch with ourselves and therefore our ability to express what is happening within us. This is where the power of art can move us in ways that allow us to cipher and feel through what we are navigating internally.

Explore how family hierarchy and conditional love in immigrant and diaspora families shape relationships and how healing can help shift from control and obligation toward mutual care and trust.

Just as we can be harmed in relationships, we also heal through relationships. The journey of forging meaningful connections can push us to become better people. But when those relationships hit rocky periods, we can become vulnerable and faced uncomfortable truths about how we show up in the eye of the storm.

Worry and anxiety often show up during uncertain times. Our mind can feel noisier during times of political unrest, or anything that stirs up what we’d rather forget. While we all cope in our own ways, one thing that connects us is the shared experience of feeling overwhelmed.

The road to navigating relationships is rarely a straight line path. When we bump up against different personalities and familiar dynamics, often our unresolved hurts from the past can surface. The way we react in these moments serve as defence mechanisms, making it more difficult to find and sustain meaningful connection.

Change is something we are always guaranteed in life and often many emotions come to the surface as we move through a new beginning. Whether it’s changing careers, breakups, or moving to a new city, some changes can be a positive cause for celebration, but the loss of what we'll leave behind can hit us with heartbreak and grief.

When a new year unfolds, it’s natural to reflect on what we want for ourselves. Many of us feel the impact of external pressures and digital noise. It's easy to lose touch with ourselves and what matters most. And when we feel lost and disconnected, returning to our values can offer a steadying anchor.

While rejection is a universal experience, it can also rock us to our core. The impact often goes deeper affecting our sense of self worth. The emotional fallout can feel even more intense, turning stressful moments into overwhelming heartbreak

We all encounter family conflict and we know how messy and complicated it can get. Tensions can come from many places such as clashing values, unspoken expectations, or unresolved emotions. Communication often breaks down, and for those of us in bicultural immigrant families, the layers run even deeper.

No is full sentence, yet one that is hard to say within our family systems. It can be especially challenging in cultures with filial piety, where going along with the wishes of our elders and avoiding conflict at all costs is a cultural expectation.

Have you ever dodged a hard conversation, held back tears, or felt numb inside? Avoiding or downplaying your feelings is a form of emotional suppression and something many of us experience as a way to cope with the expectations of culture, family, and the world.

It’s not okay to be made to feel less because of who you are. Identity-based trauma is a painful reality many in the BIPOC community know too well. And it’s the same for those of us whose gender, sexuality, religion, or abilities don’t fit the narrow ideas of what’s “normal.” I’ve felt this myself, more times than I can count as an East Asian POC.

Burnout is a reality for many, particularly for those of us from BIPOC immigrant backgrounds. The pressures of work, family, and personal expectations can feel overwhelming, especially for those of us juggling multiple responsibilities while trying to meet cultural and familial expectations.

As a recovering people pleaser, I understand just how overwhelming it can be to overcome the hurdles of habitually pleasing others. Many of us go decades unaware of our tendencies, and the thought of overcoming these ingrained patterns can seem like a mountain to climb.

The idea of being perfect is something many struggle with. I emphasize the word ‘idea’ because perfection does not exist. It is a destination that cannot be reached. An itch that cannot be fully scratched - yet that knowledge doesn’t seem to quiet down the perfectionist part of many. As someone who has struggled with perfectionism, this topic hits home.

When a newborn comes into the world, they do not automatically adopt negative thoughts. And yet, most of us have an ‘Oscar the Grouch’ living inside our mind rent free. It is the fierce inner critic that pops up when we encounter a potential threat.

It’s no secret that life changes can have a drastic impact on our wellbeing. Change can be muddy. Just as one door opens, another closes, and turning the page to a new chapter can be hard. Perhaps there is the loss of a great community, or the loss of hope from an unfulfilled dream. Feelings may begin to surface as we come to terms with our new reality.

Hello, I'm Rachel. My family name, Loong, means "Dragon," symbolizing strength, wisdom, and prosperity. I became a counsellor to support people in reclaiming their inherent strength and living more freely. Here’s a glimpse into who I am and what guides my work.