At Collaborative Change, we acknowledge individuals do not exist in isolation. We are all affected by the systems in which we hold memberships. By exploring the environmental, systemic, and ancestral/familial realms, we look to make meaning of our identities.
Counsellors
Tiffany Wu (they/she)
***October 2023 – I am currently at capacity, and no longer holding a waitlist.***
I believe people are strong and resilient, and cope with life’s challenges to their best ability. I often work alongside folx navigating intersecting identities – gender, sexuality, cultural, racial, relational – and life’s transitions. In co-creating an open and authentic space with clients, I invite them to access internal strengths and explore new possibilities. Our time together will centre a justice-seeking and anti-oppressive foundation, while being held in ongoing practices of consent. As a queer person of colour born to Chinese immigrant parents, one of my intentions during our conversations is to also provide space to celebrate racialized and/or queer joy. Being born and raised in so-called Vancouver, on unceded Coast Salish territories, I have grown up learning (and unlearning) teachings linked to hyphenated identities, and living in the third culture. I am fortunate to have conversational fluency in Cantonese, and find it sometimes important and helpful in naming and exploring certain themes not existent in the English language and western culture.
For the last eleven years, I have worked alongside youth and young adults in mental health support, and substance use prevention and intervention services with a local school board and local health authority with both youth and their support networks. Previously, I worked in the Downtown Eastside as a Case Manager and Youth Worker. Currently, I work alongside youth and caregivers, providing support in navigating stressors, intersectionality, and parenting concerns. For the past eleven years, I have volunteered with Chill Vancouver, a program that provides youth the opportunity to learn board sports, while incorporating life skills building. I believe in the value of integrating outdoor adventure with therapeutic work.
I hold a Masters in Counselling, and am a registered member of the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). I have formal training in Motivational Interviewing, substance use interventions, including harm reduction strategies, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Racialized Trauma, Vicarious Trauma, Emotion Focused Family Therapy (Level 1), and Mental Health First Aid. I do however acknowledge the inherent powers of lived experiences, and often draw from Eastern cultural collectivist values and teachings.
I truly believe in the liberation of being seen, wholly, and honouring the stories and histories that have shaped us.
I look forward to collaborating alongside you.
Services
Youth
For the last decade, Tiff has worked alongside youth and adolescents. Whether it’s tackling friendship challenges, negative inner voices, or homelife struggles, it can be helpful to increase strategies for coping. Tiff has worked extensively with issues such as anxiety, depression, suicide ideation, and disordered eating, as well as family dynamics and substance use. Tiff’s approach to working with youth is to actively listen, encourage healthy boundaries, and respect their thoughts and autonomy as maturing individuals.
Young Adults
Identity growth is one of Tiff’s deepest passions. Transforming from our youth years, and emerging into young adults, comes with a unique set of challenges. As we develop our identities, we often find ourselves at crossroads and questions of who we are. Tiff’s professional life goal, and the subject of their thesis, is to explore hyphenated identities and how different aspects of one’s life intersect to create who we are and how we go about the world.
Adults
In addition to working alongside youth for the past decade, Tiff has also worked closely with the important people and adults in youths’ lives. Collaborating on providing the best support for adolescents, Tiff’s role with adults highlights the existing strengths of the relationship and encourages effective communication. Resilient relationships uphold resilient individuals.
Relational
While working alongside youth and the important adults in their life, Tiff has often facilitated conversations between generations and holding space for challenging dialogues. Opening up and sharing worries and anxieties can be vulnerable experiences, especially when there are societal and cultural expectations of how we are to act toward the other generation. In our sessions together, each voice will be respected and heard.
Counselling Options
In Person
Dominion Building: #912 – 207 West Hastings, Vancouver, BC
Accessibility Information:
Accessible via transit and paid street parking available
Two steps to front door
Elevator and stairs access
Single stalled gendered washrooms; welcome to all genders
Broadway Building: 9 East Broadway, Vancouver, BC
Accessibility Information:
Accessible via transit and paid street parking available nearby
15 steps up to main office
Single stand alone washroom
Strict COVID-19 precautions taken. Please ask about our steps in ensuring the safety of everyone using the space.
Outreach
Outreach sessions may be a great alternative to more traditional and formal in-office settings.
Tiff currently offers outreach in Vancouver.
**Additional travel costs may be applicable dependant on location**
Virtual and Phone
Virtual and phone sessions provide a flexible way to connect, and are available throughout the week by appointment through Doxy.