Between Counselling

The spaces in-between,

living with authenticity and compassion

Young Hong

(MCP, RCC)

Hi there! My name is Young. I am a Korean Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) based in Vancouver, BC, and I support Asian clients navigate feelings of shame and unworthiness, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and relationships. I aim to provide a calm and compassionate space for clients to explore their thoughts, emotions, and the meaning they assign to their experience.

I work to empower my clients by providing a space to feel seen for who they truly are. I believe in the healing power of self-compassion and an empathic relationship. Working from an Existential-humanistic and Attachment-based lens, I use various evidence-based therapies including Internal Family Systems, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and The Gottman Method.

Before becoming a therapist, I worked for 15 years in the corporate sector, and this real-world experience has helped me connect with clients from all walks of life. I lived in both Canada and South Korea as a child and have always felt as if I existed “between worlds.” My unique awareness of what it means to create a coherent identity for myself informs my therapeutic approach.

I provide counselling services in English and Korean.

Meaningful change begins with creating safety for ourselves.

Feeling safe enough to just be as I am creates a powerful backdrop for reflexivity, creativity, and flexibility.

Counselling Services

Individual counselling sessions are 50 minutes long and are available both online and in hybrid format (online+in-person).

Individual Counselling

$150

Couples Counselling

$180

Couples counselling sessions are 50 minutes long and are available both online and in hybrid format (online+in-person).

Availability

Sun 9:00-1:00

Mon-Wed 2:00-8:00

Office Location - 636 - 1281 Hornby St., Vancouver, BC V6Z 1W4

 

I have a 24-hour cancellation policy. A late cancellation leaves a hole in the counsellor’s schedule that could have gone to another client. The full session fee will be charged for a late cancellation within 24 hours of the start of the session.

Cancellation Policy

Initial Consultation

I offer a complimentary, 20-minute consultation for new clients. An initial consultation session is a great opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have, and determine whether you feel comfortable with me and that we are a “good fit.”

A bit about how I work…

What is the initial consultation for?

Whether you have been to counselling before, or are completely new to counselling, you are welcome to book a complimentary 20-minute consultation with me. During this consultation, I will share a bit about how I work, and invite you to share what brings you to counselling. The consultation will give you an opportunity to get a feel for whether we are a “good fit,” which is tremendously important in a counselling relationship. It is not unusual, and highly recommended, that you meet up with a few counsellors in this way to find a counsellor that you feel comfortable talking to.

What to expect in the first few sessions..

If you decide to move forward with me, the first one or two sessions in individual counselling (and the first four sessions in couples counselling) will be used to conduct an assessment (basically, me asking you lots of questions). After that, we will take some time to define what it is you want to work on in counselling. Some folks have a clear goal, such as feeling less anxious in social situations, or improved communication with their spouse, while some folks prefer to take a more open-ended, exploratory approach to process their emotions.

How would you describe your counselling style?

My primary aim as a counsellor is to empower my clients through a compassionate, strengths-based approach. This can sometimes look like me walking alongside you as you organise your experiences, emotions, and thoughts. This can also look like me sharing evidence-based theories about what might be going on for you. At times, this can mean that I point out your strengths and encourage you to relate to yourself compassionately, especially when you least feel like it.

The feedback that I receive from clients most consistently is that I ask good questions. Some clients tell me that they feel safe with me and that I am easy to talk to. Others appreciate that I provide concrete recommendations on ways to move forward.

How long does counselling take? How often should I go?

The duration and frequency of counselling can vary, depending on your needs, time and financial constraints. For clients with concrete goals, I recommend a minimum of 6-8 sessions for individuals, and 8-10 sessions for couples to build rapport and make concrete progress. Weekly and bi-weekly sessions are the most common frequency, but some clients choose to work on a monthly or even ad-hoc basis. I find that weekly sessions for the first four sessions help build rapport and momentum for many clients.

Here are some common issues that I can help you with…

Anxiety

Anxiety helps us plan and prepare for the future, but it can also cause us to worry constantly, making it difficult to stay grounded. Anxiety is often the result of excessive fear and ineffective avoidance. If we learn to effectively address our fears without being overwhelmed, we can put ourselves back in the driver’s seat instead of letting our anxiety run the show.

Anger

Do you find yourself going from 0 to 100 when you are triggered? Is your anger affecting your closest relationships? Anger is often a secondary emotion that comes up to protect us from the true pain that lies beneath it. Together, we can explore how to adequately care for your own needs so that you no longer need to turn to anger as a secondary strategy.

Depression

We all feel blue from time to time. However, if you are constantly feeling exhausted, unmotivated, irritated, or sad, then it can be hard to live the life you want. Depression often begins with repeated experiences of perceived failure or rejection. Through counselling, you can learn to reframe, accept, and forgive those unwanted parts of yourself.

Shame

Shame is what makes us ask “what’s wrong with me?” instead of “how can I deal effectively with this situation?” Shame often develops when we have not had adequate attunement from caretakers in childhood. This leads to us doubting our self worth at a fundamental level. Through counselling, you can learn to understand shame and address the core wounds that caused it.

Communication

Feeling unheard and unsafe in a relationship is one of the most painful experiences. We often filter our partners’ words and actions through our own expectations and interpretations. Working with a counsellor to identify the negative dynamic that has developed between partners is the first step in creating a relationship dynamic based on safety and acceptance.

Education

Young holds a Masters in Counselling Psychology from Adler University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from Yonsei University in South Korea.

Certifications

Young is a registered member of the BCACC in good standing since 2023.

She has completed the following trainings:

  • Solutions-Focused Therapy APT Level 1

  • Emotionally-Focused Therapy Externship

  • The Gottman Method Level 1

  • Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level 1

 FAQs

  • I provide direct billing only for clients who have coverage through CVAP (Crime Victim Assistance Program) and ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia).

    Otherwise, you will receive an email receipt after each session which includes my RCC number (#21284) after each session.

  • I provide in-person services subject to my own personal schedule and office availability. I may not be the best fit for you if you have a strong preference for consistent in-person services.

  • I reserve two sliding scale spots for clients who are facing significant financial barriers but wish to attend therapy regularly.

    Both sliding scale spots are currently full.

  • I have a 24-hour cancellation policy. If a session is cancelled or rescheduled within 24 hours of the session, I charge 100% of the session fee.

    If you need to reschedule or cancel a session, please reach out to me via email (betweencounselling@gmail.com) or reschedule/cancel through the Jane booking platform (betweencounselling.janeapp.com).

  • The duration and frequency of counselling can vary, depending on your needs, time and financial constraints. For clients with concrete goals, I recommend a minimum of 6-8 sessions for individuals, and 8-10 sessions for couples to build rapport and make concrete progress. Weekly and bi-weekly sessions are the most common frequency, but some clients choose to work on a monthly or even ad-hoc basis.

Book a Free Consultation

If you are ready to book a consultation, please reach out to me in this form. I am excited to meet you.