Soyoung Yu (all pronouns) - Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy Major and Women's and Gender Studies Minor, University of Alberta; Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University 
​Languages: English

Soyoung is currently accepting clients looking for individual therapy.
If you would like to be connected with Soyoung's, please email [email protected]
or
Availability
Tuesdays 11:00 am - 6:00 pm (Virtual)
Wednesdays 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (In Person at Ontario and Broadway & Virtual) 
Thursdays 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Virtual) 
Fridays 11:00 am - 6:00 pm (In Person and Virtual)



About
Welcome, I'm Soyoung and I use all pronouns! I am queer, non-binary, femme presenting, disabled, neurodivergent, partially out, 1.5 gen immigrant from Korea. I gratefully live and work on the stolen, occupied, and ancestral lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem First Nation) peoples. I speak English and Korean (conversational/'Konglish).

My approach to therapy is grounded in intersectional, decolonial, anti-oppressive, social justice-oriented, and trauma-informed frameworks. I draw from person-centred, internal family systems, neuro-affirming, harm reduction, and somatic approaches, and I work to honour your lived experience, cultural context, and survival strategies with care, curiosity, and flexibility. Together, we might make sense of painful experiences, explore emotions and body-based responses, challenge internalized oppression, or simply create a space where you can breathe and exist without having to explain or justify yourself.

I understand therapy as a collaborative, relational, and dynamic process in which power is acknowledged, named, and intentionally shared. Rather than positioning myself as an expert on you, I aim to be a companion and co-creator in your healing, holding space for your knowledge, intuition, and agency. I strive to cultivate a warm, grounded, and accountable environment where you can show up exactly as you are, without judgment or pressure to be “palatable” or “resilient” all the time. 

I am committed to relational, transformative, and liberation-oriented care that holds both individual and collective healing. This includes recognizing how racism, colonization, queer- and transphobia, classism, ableism, fatphobia, and other forms of violence shape distress, as well as nurturing joy, rest, resistance, and imagination. I work well with individuals who identify as global majority (BIPOC), queer/LGBTQ2S+, neurodivergent, immigrants, and allies. I especially love supporting folks on anxiety, stress, depression, neurodivergence, grief, trauma, perfectionism, and other experiences that are often misread, minimized, or pathologized in dominant systems.

Outside of my work, I enjoy making pottery, playing Stardew Valley, cooking and baking, cuddling my cats, and spending time in nature—especially in spaces where slowness, care, and connection feel possible.

Approaches
  • Person centred
  • Polyvagal 
  • Somatic
  • Internal family systems 
  • Neuro-affirming
  • Exposure and Response Prevention

Selected Training
PESI
  • First Nations Approaches to Healing Trauma: Ancestral Wisdom and Soul Retrieval (2025) 
  • Mastering Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy for Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Addiction & More: An Intensive Online Course with Dr. Richard Schwartz & Dr. Frank Anderson (2026)
  • Mastering Polyvagal Theory for Trauma Professionals: A Start to Finish Trauma Certification Program via PESI (in progress)
  • Neurodiversity Specialist Training: Affirming Practices for Autism, ADHD, “AuDHD”, Dyslexia, OCD, and More. (2026)
NOCD
  • Treatment of OCD in Adults (2025)
  • Treatment Strategies for Perfectionism and OCD. (2025)
  • Treatment Strategies for Perfectionism and OCD. (2025)
  • Understanding ‘Pure O’ in OCD. (2025)

Soyoung's Rates
Phone consultation: Free
$130 for 50-min sessions
+$60 for 75 minute sessions ($190)

Sliding scale (Waitlist Available):
$70 - $100 for 50-min
$85 - $115 for 75-min
Generous rate: $135+

Hormone Readiness Assessment: $200 - $300


Previous Group Offerings