Ann Tao

I became a counsellor because I find it deeply meaningful to walk alongside people in their journey of self-transformation. I am constantly moved by the potential I see in others. I’ve always been curious about who they can become, what they can grow into, and how much capacity they have to create a life aligned with their values and goals. I find it incredibly rewarding to support and witness how people can find agency and healing as they navigate change and rediscover their strengths.

I hold a Master’s degree in Family and Couples Counselling, where I studied important concepts such as Internal Family Systems and the intergenerational dynamics that are commonly experienced in multicultural and multigenerational families. I have extensively studied the hardships and dynamics within modern relationships, dating, and marriages. In particular, my foundation is rooted in a person-centred and humanistic approach. I integrate multiple therapeutic modalities in my work based on the needs of my clients, and everyone is unique.

I was born and raised in Taiwan and have worked extensively with multicultural and Mandarin-speaking communities for many years. As an immigrant to Canada, I personally understand the complexity of life transitions, identity shifts, and cultural adaptation.
I have a deep appreciation for Asian and Chinese cultural values, family systems, and intergenerational dynamics, while also understanding the tension that can arise when navigating Western contexts. This lived experience informs my sensitivity to cross-cultural challenges and bicultural identity development.

Outside of my professional life, I enjoy staying active and connecting with nature. I love hiking, playing badminton, and spending time outdoors. I also value meaningful conversations, creative projects, and quiet moments of reflection — all of which nourish both my personal and professional growth.

In a session with me, you can expect to gain greater clarity and self-awareness. Sometimes meaningful change begins with a subtle shift in perspective, improved emotional regulation, or a deeper understanding of your internal experience.
When we see ourselves more clearly, we gain options. We no longer feel trapped in automatic reactions. Together, we will explore new ways of responding, adapting, and growing — whether that means changing external circumstances or relating differently to them.
My goal is to support you in creating a full, authentic, and fulfilling version of your life.

In addition to my formal training in family and couple therapy during my Master’s program, I have worked directly with couples and families in clinical settings. I have also supported children with unique developmental needs and neurodivergence through the YMCA. Over my past experiences, I have gained experience as a Behaviour Interventionist working with a wide variety of needs from children, including working with developmental disorder, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder. I work with a non-pathologizing approach that doesn’t hyperfocus on symptoms and “the disorder” itself, but more so focuses on building emotional, execution, and social skills and awareness, which help to enrich and connect lives in meaningful ways. I see neurodivergence as a superpower that can be navigated with important skills, awareness, and practice to reach its potentials for strengths and authenticity.

I have worked with individuals navigating various forms of grief and loss, including relationship endings, identity shifts, and major life transitions.
Grief is not limited to death — it arises whenever something meaningful changes or comes to an end. Sometimes, this work could be with our past versions of self, or versions of our parents or our loved ones that we had once hoped for and wanted deeply. I believe our work is not to eliminate pain, but to create space for it so that it can exist without overwhelming us.
In our work together, we allow space to fully feel the loss, to mourn what has changed or ended, and sometimes to gently explore the meaning that emerges from that experience. When grief is acknowledged and integrated with compassion rather than suppressed, we are able to reconnect with love, joy, and a renewed sense of peace.