Hello

I’m Conlan.I’m a counsellor in Vancouver, and I believe therapy works best when it’s real, direct, and human.That means straight-up, honest conversations — no jargon, no fluff, no pretending I have all the answers. We sit down as two people, cut to what matters, and work out what’s useful for you right now.You don’t need months of therapy to get somewhere. Sometimes one good conversation can shift things.My background in Buddhist psychology and evidence-based counselling shapes how I listen and respond, but what matters most is making our time together real, respectful, and useful.If that sounds like what you’re looking for, let’s talk.You can learn more about my approach or reach out to schedule a consultation.

Services

What I Offer:I work with individuals, couples, and families. People come to me for support with:Stress, anxiety, and life transitionsCommunication and relationship strugglesQuestions of meaning, values, and identityI don’t believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. Each conversation is tailored to what you most want to focus on — whether that’s finding clarity, strengthening your relationships, or taking the next step toward a life that feels more your own.And if you’re wondering what it’s like to sit down together, here’s my approach:Straightforward conversations. No jargon, no psychobabble — just plain language that makes sense.Real connection. You’re not a case file, and I’m not hiding behind a therapist mask. We meet as two people.Respectful honesty. I’ll be upfront with you, and I’ll invite you to be upfront with me.Cut to what matters. We skip the fluff and focus directly on what you want to talk about.Here and now. We focus on what’s happening in your life today, and what might make a difference right now.One conversation can count. Therapy doesn’t need to take months to make a difference. Even a single session can shift something important.Collaboration, not treatment. We work it out together — I’m not here to “fix” you, but to help you see things more clearly and decide what’s next.Useful, not abstract. You walk away with something you can use — whether that’s clarity, a new perspective, or a next step.Grounded in wisdom and evidence. My background in Buddhist psychology and evidence-based counselling informs how I listen and respond — blending compassion with practical tools.Open to Buddhist practice. If you want to talk about Buddhism, explore Buddhist psychology, or even learn what it means to become a Buddhist, I’m here for that too.Rates & Payment Options• Individual Counselling – $155 per 50-minute session
• Couples Counselling – $200 per 50-minute sessionMany workplace benefit plans cover my services. I encourage you to check with your provider for details.

About

Hi, I’m Conlan.I’m a counsellor whose approach is rooted in Buddhist psychology and evidence-based practice.I help people make real changes by aligning their actions with their values, uncovering strengths, and finding clarity in the middle of life’s challenges.Therapy with me is practical, honest, and grounded. We’ll keep things real, cut to what matters, and work out what’s useful for you right now.༺ ༻My Path to CounsellingI grew up in the Pacific Northwest, drawn to the intersections of psychology, culture, and human resilience. I studied psychology and Indigenous studies at Quest University before earning my Master’s in Counselling Psychology at CityUniversity.Before counselling, I ran a social enterprise gym and martial arts school in Vancouver’s Chinatown, teaching trauma-informed martial arts. That experience taught me how much resilience and healing live in the body, and I bring that same grounded, embodied perspective into my counselling today.As a Buddhist, my practice deeply informs my work. I maintain a daily meditation practice and study across traditions. If you want to talk about Buddhism or explore how its principles can help you, I’m here for that. But therapy with me is always client-centred and inclusive — I work with people from all backgrounds and beliefs.༺ ༻Why Work With Me?✅ Certified & Insured – Member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (#11245818). My services are often reimbursable through workplace benefits, and I’m registered with ICBC and CVAP.✅ Evidence-Based & Integrative – I stay current with counselling psychology research and use approaches that have been shown to work.✅ Socially Conscious & Culturally Attuned – With experience in Indigenous organizations and marginalized communities, I bring cultural awareness and a social justice lens to my work.✅ Authentic & Real – I don’t hide behind a therapist mask. My own path through resilience and self-discovery helps me meet you with honesty, empathy, and respect.✅ A Blended Approach – I bring together counselling psychology, Buddhist principles, and trauma-informed care to create conversations that are useful, practical, and human.If this sounds like the kind of therapy you’re looking for, **I invite you to reach out.Let’s cut to what matters and take the next step together.

FAQs

About My ApproachDo I need to be Buddhist to work with you?
Not at all. While my counselling is informed by Buddhist psychology — things like mindfulness, compassion, and clarity — my practice is fully client-centred and inclusive. I welcome people from all backgrounds and beliefs.
༺ ༻What is Buddhist Psychology?
It’s a way of understanding the mind that emphasizes mindfulness, self-awareness, impermanence, and compassion. In practice, that means therapy that helps you relate to your thoughts and emotions more clearly, with less judgment, and take grounded steps that line up with your values.
༺ ༻What concerns do you work with?
I work with people dealing with anxiety, stress, self-doubt, relationship struggles, life changes, and questions of meaning. I also support clients who are navigating identity, spiritual growth, and the effects of trauma.
༺ ༻What kind of therapy do you practice?
My approach blends Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Narrative Therapy, and Buddhist Psychology. These styles all emphasize strengths, collaboration, and finding useful ways forward. I also draw from other approaches when they’re helpful — no one-size-fits-all.In plain language: we’ll have real conversations that focus on what’s useful for you right now.༺ ༻Insurance & Program CoverageAre your services covered by insurance?
Many workplace benefit plans cover my services. I’m a certified member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), and I provide receipts for reimbursement.༺ ༻Do you accept ICBC or CVAP clients?
Yes. I am a registered provider with both ICBC and the Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP). Clients using these benefits are billed at the full session rate in accordance with reimbursement guidelines.Booking, Sessions, and PoliciesHow long are sessions?
50 minutes, unless we’ve agreed otherwise.
༺ ༻Do you offer online or in-person therapy?
I offer online sessions (secure video) and walk-and-talk sessions in Mt. Pleasant (weather and schedule permitting).
༺ ༻How do I book a session?
New clients: start with a free consultation to see if it’s a good fit.
Returning clients: book directly with me by email.
༺ ༻What’s your cancellation policy?
Please give at least 48 hours’ notice to cancel. Late cancellations (less than 48 hours) are billed at the full session rate, unless it’s an emergency.

Drop-in Counselling By DānaI offer a limited number of single-session, drop-in counselling appointments each week, grounded in the tradition of dāna.Dāna is the Buddhist practice of offering freely, grounded in generosity, gratitude, and mutual care. It is not payment for a service, but an invitation to give according to one’s means and the value received.These sessions are open to anyone—no ongoing commitment required.This is a space to receive support when you need it most, without the pressure of starting long-term therapy. Whether you're navigating a decision, feeling emotionally overwhelmed, or simply need a space to reflect, you're welcome to book.How It Works• Drop-in sessions are offered virtually, by appointment.
• Bookings open every Friday at 4:30pm Pacific Time, and are available for the following week only.
• Sessions are 40 minutes in length and offered on the basis of dāna—give what you can, based on your means and the value of the session.• A link to offer dāna will be provided after the session, or you can donate here.You can find my Calendly page for booking sessions here.Please note: these drop-in sessions are not a substitute for crisis services or ongoing psychotherapy. If you're in crisis, please contact a local crisis line or emergency service.

Contact

Interested in starting your counseling journey? Have questions? I’m here to help.Reach out today to schedule your complimentary 15-minute phone or video consultation. I look forward to hearing from you!