Soyoung Yu
Student Counsellor
(all pronouns)
In-Person and Virtual Sessions
Soyoung is currently accepting clients to their waitlist for May 2025!
Please email us at connect@collective-healing.ca to connect with Soyoung for counselling services.
My name is Soyoung Yu (all pronouns). I am a student counsellor living as an uninvited settler on the stolen lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. As a queer, non-binary, neurodivergent, and disabled first-generation Korean immigrant, I understand how deeply mental health is shaped by systemic inequities. As someone who is partially out, I also recognize the power of having a space where you can feel seen, heard, and accepted just as you are. I am committed to providing care that acknowledges these complexities while supporting clients in their healing, self-discovery, and empowerment.
My approach to therapy integrates intersectional, anti-oppressive, social justice-oriented, and trauma-informed frameworks. I draw from existential, psychodynamic, acceptance and commitment, and mindfulness-based approaches, tailoring my work to honour your unique experiences with care, curiosity, and flexibility. I also value the mind-body connection and the wisdom we carry within us, even when it feels out of reach. I’m here to support you in ways that feel right for you—whether that means making sense of challenges, exploring emotions, or simply having a place to breathe and be yourself.
I view therapy as a collaborative and dynamic process, where both the client and therapist learn from and influence one another. In this space, I aim to create a warm and supportive environment where you can show up exactly as you are—without judgment or pressure. I work with individuals navigating identity exploration, stress, grief, trauma healing, life transitions, and relationship dynamics, with a focus on LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, and immigrant experiences.
I hold a BA in Philosophy and Women’s and Gender Studies from the University of Alberta and am currently completing my Master of Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. Before beginning my counselling training, I worked in frontline roles supporting the houseless community, focusing on advocacy, crisis intervention, and harm reduction. These experiences have shaped my commitment to relational, transformative, and liberation-oriented care—grounded in deep respect for people’s resilience and an awareness of how the world around us impacts our well-being.
Outside of counselling, I enjoy making pottery, playing Stardew Valley, cooking and baking, and spending time in nature.
Soyoung’s Availability
Location: Mount Pleasant, Virtual
Days and Hours:
Tuesday 9:00am - 4:00pm (Virtual)
Wednesday 9:00am - 2:00pm (Mount Pleasant)
Sunday 10:00am - 7:00pm (Virtual)
Practicum ends December 2025.
Soyoung Yu
Student Counsellor
Image Description: Soyoung is centred in the photo, gently smiling. They have shoulder-length dark hair, are wearing glasses with a thin, dark frame, a light beige turtleneck, and hoop earrings. The background is minimalistic, featuring a white wall and a doorway.