My Personal Experience as a Mandarin Speaking Counsellor in Vancouver
I was born in Japan, trained as a therapist in Canada, and became fluent in Mandarin somewhere along the way. My path into counselling grew out of a lifelong interest in people’s inner worlds and the ways emotions shape relationships. Personal experiences with mental health challenges, and watching loved ones struggle, showed me how much healing can come from having the right support.
Coming from a multilingual and multicultural background, I understood early on how language and culture shape emotional expression. During my clinical training, I noticed a gap in accessible services for Mandarin-speaking clients in Vancouver. Many people wanted to talk about their struggles in their first language but found few options. When I began offering sessions in Mandarin, it quickly became a natural and meaningful part of my work. For me, this is not just professional. Mandarin is part of my cultural identity, and using it in therapy allows clients to express themselves more authentically while also honouring my own roots.
Why Mandarin speaking counselling matters so much in Vancouver
Vancouver is home to one of the largest Mandarin-speaking communities in Canada, yet there are still not enough therapists who can provide services in Mandarin. Language barriers, cultural stigma, and the belief that struggles should remain private often prevent people from reaching out. Having access to counselling in one’s first language can make the difference between staying silent and finding genuine connection.
The challenges I see in my Mandarin speaking clients
Many clients I meet are navigating the complexity of adapting to Canadian culture while carrying family expectations. Academic and work pressure, intergenerational conflict, and the fear of causing inconvenience are common themes. Some feel isolated because of language barriers, while others wrestle with stigma that frames seeking help as weakness. Emotional distress is often expressed through physical symptoms such as headaches or fatigue rather than directly naming anxiety or sadness.
How speaking Mandarin changes the therapy experience
Language is never just words but carries history, culture, and emotion. When clients can speak in Mandarin, many feel relieved that they do not have to translate themselves. Trust and safety develop more quickly, and conversations flow in ways that feel natural. I can also recognise cultural nuances such as family obligations, respect for elders, and unspoken social rules, and bring these into therapy in a validating way. Clients often tell me that speaking in Mandarin allows them to share feelings more deeply and authentically.
My journey as a counsellor
Supporting Mandarin-speaking clients has been both rewarding and challenging. Some arrive reluctantly, seeing therapy as a last resort. The pressure to “save face” can make them minimize or hide struggles, and stigma can lead them to view themselves as broken. Concerns about confidentiality weigh heavily in close-knit communities, and even the language of therapy itself can feel foreign or uncomfortable in Mandarin.
Balancing cultural sensitivity with therapeutic growth requires care. I integrate evidence-based approaches such as CBT, EFT, and ACT while respecting values like family loyalty and filial piety. At the same time, I gently introduce ideas like self-care, self-compassion, and boundary-setting in ways that resonate culturally.
The most meaningful moments come when clients shift from minimising their pain to naming it openly. I have seen the relief on a client’s face when they realise emotions are not weakness but part of being human. I have witnessed clients soften self-criticism, take pride in setting healthy boundaries, and recognise the resilience it takes to navigate cultural transitions. These moments remind me why I chose this profession.
Personal reflections
The changes I see in clients are often gradual but deeply moving. Someone who once dismissed their stress as “not serious” may finally give themselves permission to rest. Another, who felt ashamed of needing support, may begin to use kinder words toward themselves. I feel honoured to witness these shifts, moments when clients begin to see that their emotions are valid, their needs matter, and their resilience is worth celebrating. For me, these reflections confirm that therapy is not only about easing distress but also about helping people embrace their own humanity more fully.
Bridging my own cultural experience
My background helps me connect with clients and understand what it feels like to be an immigrant. Having lived in multicultural environments, I know the disconnection that can come with adapting to new languages and customs. This allows me to validate clients’ struggles without judgment and highlight the strength it takes to build belonging in a new country.
Being multilingual also means I can meet clients in the language that feels most natural. At the same time, I recognise the stigma that still surrounds mental health in some communities, and I approach therapy with cultural humility. In practice, I balance Canadian mental health frameworks with values my clients hold. I respect traditions such as filial piety and family responsibility while supporting clients in experimenting with new coping skills. Therapy becomes a collaborative space where cultural identity is honoured and growth is possible.
My hopes for the future
Looking ahead, I hope to raise awareness about the benefits of therapy within Mandarin-speaking communities in Vancouver. I want to encourage more Mandarin-speaking healthcare practitioners to join the field so that services become more accessible. Most of all, I hope to create spaces where Mandarin-speaking immigrants feel understood, supported, and empowered to care for their mental health.
Closing thoughts
Working as a Mandarin-speaking counsellor in Vancouver has been one of the most meaningful parts of my professional journey. It has deepened my empathy and given me a profound respect for the resilience of clients who face cultural and immigration challenges. Offering therapy in Mandarin is not only practical, it is also personally significant, reminding me of my identity and the purpose that led me to counselling.
Through this work, I have witnessed clients embrace emotions, rebuild self-worth, and grow into a fuller sense of themselves. These experiences affirm the importance of culturally sensitive therapy and reinforce my commitment to keep learning alongside the people I serve. For anyone considering counselling in Mandarin, my message is simple: you are not alone, and your experiences are valid.
About Chiharu Yanagawa
As a Vancouver-based therapist, I offer culturally sensitive care to individuals, couples, and families adjusting to life in Canada. My practice focuses on helping newcomers explore their identity, foster a sense of belonging, and enhance their well-being, all while respecting their unique cultural heritage. I recognize the specific challenges that arise when settling in a new country and strive to provide a safe, empathetic environment where clients feel understood, supported, and empowered throughout their transition.