Raajbir Virk

My journey began in social work, where I spent years responding to crises—supporting individuals and families after things had already fallen apart. While I valued that work, I saw firsthand the challenges that remained without addressing the root causes. I craved something more preventative, more relational, and more healing. That is what drew me to clinical counselling.

On a personal level, starting therapy myself was transformative—it gave me language for what I was feeling, space to process experiences I didn’t even realize I was carrying, and the tools to start showing up for myself in a new way. It changed my life.

I became a counsellor because I know what it’s like to be on the other side of the room—uncertain, guarded, and hurting. And I know how powerful it can be to feel seen, understood, and gently challenged in a space where it is safe to just be human.

I hold a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, and I also hold a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Youth Care with a specialization in Child Welfare from the University of the Fraser Valley.

My professional background spans over seven years of direct work with children, youth, and families across mental health, child protection, behavior intervention, and family systems. Through these roles, I’ve gained a deep understanding of trauma, attachment, family dynamics, and systemic barriers.

I have provided individual and group therapy under supervision, supporting clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship challenges. My approach is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and rooted in evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT, and strength-based interventions.

I was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, as a second-generation Canadian with Punjabi heritage. Growing up in a Punjabi-Sikh household shaped my values around family, responsibility, and resilience—while also giving me firsthand insight into the complexities of navigating intergenerational trauma, emotional silence, and cultural stigma around mental health.

I’ve spent much of my life learning how to balance dual cultural identities—honoring the collectivist values I was raised with while also finding space to explore my own voice, autonomy, and healing. Maintaining strong cultural roots has always been important to me, and I carry that grounding into my work with clients.

These lived experiences allow me to approach therapy with cultural humility and deep empathy for those walking between worlds. I strive to create a space where clients—especially those from immigrant, racialized, or culturally complex backgrounds—feel seen, understood, and safe to unpack their stories on their own terms.

In session, you can expect a calm, non-judgmental space where you don’t have to perform or have it all figured out. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and real. I am here to help you slow down, tune in, and begin to understand your thoughts, emotions, and patterns in a deeper way.

To me, therapy is more than a conversation—it’s a space where we can take off the mask, sit in the truth of what’s hard, and begin to feel seen in ways that might be unfamiliar but deeply needed. I want you to feel safe, cared for, and respected. I want you to feel like your story matters—even the parts you’ve never said out loud.

I bring a balance of curiosity and structure, offering gentle challenges when needed, while always moving at your pace. We might explore what’s beneath the surface, connect present struggles to past experiences, or work on concrete tools to manage overwhelming emotions.

Whether you’re navigating trauma, identity, grief, family stress, or relationship challenges, I show up with intention, empathy, and respect for your unique process. My hope is that you leave each session feeling more grounded, more understood, and more connected to yourself than when you came in.

My approach is integrative and client-centered, which means I tailor each session to your needs and what feels most supportive in the moment. I draw from evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and strength-based and trauma-informed frameworks. I also integrate elements of attachment theory, inner child work, and narrative therapy—especially when supporting clients in making sense of their past and reconnecting with their sense of self. I am developmentally informed and experienced in supporting younger clients and their families.

I support clients with a range of challenges, including:

• Anxiety, depression, and mood disorders
• Trauma and complex PTSD
• Family conflict and attachment wounds
• Grief, loss, and life transitions
• Identity exploration and cultural disconnection
• Emotional regulation and stress management
• Relationship struggles and boundary work
• Burnout, compassion fatigue, and helping-profession stress

At the heart of my practice is the belief that healing is possible—not because we erase what’s happened, but because we learn how to carry it differently. Whatever you’re holding, we’ll work together to make space for it, understand it, and move through it at a pace that feels right for you.

As a second-generation Punjabi-Canadian and a bilingual therapist (English and Punjabi), I bring both lived and professional experience to working across cultures. I have seen firsthand what it is like to navigate dual identities, unspoken generational expectations, and cultural silence around mental health.

Through my work as a social worker, I have had the privilege of supporting diverse communities, including extensive work with Indigenous families and children involved in the child welfare system. That experience deepened my understanding of systemic trauma, colonization, and the importance of culturally safe, relational, and community-rooted care.

As a therapist, I approach every client with cultural humility and openness. I don’t assume to be the expert on your experience, but I bring curiosity, respect, and an awareness of how culture, identity, and systemic barriers shape the way we move through the world.

Being a visible minority and a child of immigrants has taught me how important it is to feel seen without having to explain every part of your experience. My goal is to create a space where all clients—regardless of background, orientation, ability, or belief system—feel safe, heard, and empowered.

I’m someone who loves to create pockets of peace and presence. I love being outdoors—whether it’s walking a forest trail, finding a quiet spot by the water, or just soaking in fresh air to reset. Movement is a big part of how I care for myself, especially strength training at the gym and hot yoga.