Canada
I am a Counselling Therapist and Career Advisor with a background in Human Resources and workforce integration, supporting immigrants and internationally trained professionals as they navigate mental health, career transitions, and workplace integration in Canada. My family immigrated to Calgary in 1995 from Hong Kong in search of stability and opportunity. Watching my parents rebuild their careers while raising a family shaped my understanding of both the external barriers newcomers face and the internal resilience required to move forward. That lived experience continues to inform my work today. I began my career in Human Resources, working in recruitment and the settlement of foreign workers. I later transitioned into career advising, supporting internationally trained physicians at the Alberta International Medical Graduate Association (AIMGA). Through this work, I saw firsthand that while employment strategies and credentials matter, many newcomers also carry stress, grief, identity shifts, and self-doubt that cannot be addressed through career guidance alone. This insight led me to complete a Master’s in Counselling Psychology and earn my Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) and Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) designations. I founded Little Way Counselling to integrate counselling psychology, career development, and my HR background into a holistic, compassionate approach, supporting clients as whole people, not just workers. My work sits at the intersection of mental health, career development, and the immigrant experience. I am passionate about helping individuals move forward with clarity, confidence, and care, at a pace that honours their story.
• Specialize in supporting internationally educated 1st and 2nd generation immigrants on their journey to emotional well-being and fulfillment • Offer a safe and welcoming space for individuals to address a wide range of issues, including stress management, relationship challenges, personal growth, and career development • Provide empathetic and respectful counseling tailored to the unique needs of each individual, promoting clarity, resilience, and healing. • Serve both our local community in Calgary, Alberta, and remote clients in Western provinces and territories, including Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. • Share valuable resources, articles, and insights related to mental health, personal growth, and immigrant support, fostering meaningful conversations and a supportive community • Recognize the unique cultural and emotional challenges faced by immigrants, ensuring a culturally sensitive approach to counseling Assist individuals in navigating life transitions, from adjusting to a new country to finding balance in personal and professional life
• Conducted individual consultations to discuss members' respective backgrounds, education and training, previous work experience and current career goals, identify potential strengths and barriers to the timely integration into healthcare through either licensure or an alternative career, co-design individualized career plans and offer advice and support to ensure their success • Provided direct employment-related support, including editing CVs, resumes, cover letters, personal statements and other documents related to job and program applications, conducting mock interviews and offering advice on networking, references and education and employment-related issues • Offered emotional support as members experience the ups and downs of acculturation and loss of career identity due to their inability to transition back to their previous profession promptly • Developed, updated and delivered New Member Orientations, Employment Series workshops, Lunch and Learn sessions, PRA workshops, CaRMS workshops and preparation courses in-person and online, and other workshops regarding various licensure pathways across Canada, alternative careers for international medical graduates (IMGs) and human resources-related topics • Engaged community and individual partners to promote the expertise of IMGs, help members better understand the Canadian healthcare system and affiliated educational institutions and non-profit organizations, and offer networking opportunities • Ensured completeness of members' profiles, enter client notes onto the Service Manager, record milestones, and complete either administrative duties and data collection as per request
• Collaborate with various departments and professionals within Acute Care Alberta on the SMART Initiative to streamline credentialing/licensing information and enhance learning supports for IMGs.
• Scheduled and coordinated the delivery of the Medical Communication Assessment Program (MCAP), promoting initiatives internally and externally, and recruiting and selecting participants to support the program’s success. • Reviewed program modules and cases, and coordinated with standardized patients, physician and communication educators and examiners. • Maintained program records and provided administrative and technical support to facilitators, mentors, and participants throughout the program.
• Responded to incoming inquiries about my credentials, services and availability via Indigo and Psychology Today and offer a free consultation for all new clients • Established working therapeutic relationships via warmth, respect and unconditional regard while exploring the clients' concerns, strengths and perspectives via in-person and online individual counselling sessions for young adults and adults dealing with anxiety, grief, relationship issues and family conflicts • Offered psychoeducation and strategic interventions to co-create effective treatment plans with clients and continuously support them throughout the process • Participated in one-on-one supervision, group consultations, and continuous education to continuously update my knowledge and skills to better address the client's concerns and refer clients when necessary • Created and maintained detailed and accurate counselling notes, payments and other administrative documents via the Jane App