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Judy Lui, Msc. CCC. RP. : About Me
JUDY - Secondary Photo.jpg

Judy Lui, MSC, CCC, RMFT, RP

Certified Canadian Counsellor

Registered Marriage and Family Therapist

Registered Psychotherapist

Clinical Director & Supervisor

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

ONLINE & IN-OFFICE

Not Accepting New Clients

 

Previous Clients please contact us for more information. 

For Supervision, Contact Judy Directly

Fees: $170 (Individual) & $190 (Couple/Family)

Modalities:

  • Dialogic Therapy,

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy),

  • Emotion-Focused Therapy, 

  • Narrative Therapy,

  • Sex Therapy,

  • Solution-Focused Therapy

Education:

Masters of Science, Couple and Family Therapy

- University of Guelph

Bachelors of Arts, Psychology, Double Minor in Sociology & SMF (Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies)

- University of Waterloo

Languages Spoken

About Judy

My Mission

"When we open ourselves up to our vulnerabilities, we also open ourselves up to our full potential. I believe that all of us have the strength within ourselves to overcome and forge ahead with our own preferred way of life and living "

Introduction

Judy is the founder and director of Your Story Counselling, with extensive training and experience in multiple psychotherapy settings, She utilizes  a strengths-focused postmodern systemic perspective, specifically drawing on the therapeutic models of Dialogic Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Sex Therapy, IMTT (Image Transformation Therapy), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy), and Culturally-Informed Therapy Modalities. Judy is constantly learning new approaches and techniques to better serve the unique needs and goals of each and every one of her clients.

My Mission

I understand how vulnerable and hard it can be to face conflicts and issues head-on, I work hard to ensure Safety & Confidentiality for clients and that all people are met with Empathy, Respect, and Non-Judgement. 

 

My personal and professional training and experiences allow me to work collaboratively with Individuals, Couples, and Families across a broad range of issues and goals. I am passionate about gathering more tools and resources to better help and advocate for those I work with. 

A Little/A Lot About Me 

Hi! I'm Judy, a Chinese/HongKong Canadian born in Scarborough, Ontario and currently residing in York Region. Throughout my life I have struggled with my own personal mental health challenges and found that while I was going through my own battles with anxiety, depression, trauma, and body dysmorphia that I never found someone quite safe enough for me to share with them the toughest and most vulnerable challenges of my life. As I struggled to better understand what was going on, my journey and curiosity led me towards studying psychology and human behaviour.

I found myself completing my Honours B.A. at the University of Waterloo where I majored in Psychology and double-minored in Sociology and SMF (Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies). During this time I completed a thesis in Social Psychology under the supervision of Dr. Hilary Bergsieker, studying the impact of Interethnic Ideology on Stereotype formation (basically big words for researching the impact of culture and social structures on stereotyping and racial/cultural profiling). I also worked as a research assistant under Dr. Wendi Adair and Dr. Zhaleh Semnani-Azad studying the impact of cross cultural interaction in time-sensitive business decision making and communication success.  


Upon completion of my undergrad, I spent a year working and volunteering in multiple agencies. Working in Respite and in day programs teaching and mentoring youth on the autism spectrum, people with developmental disabilities, persons with dual/multiple diagnoses, and individuals with disabilities and/or special needs. During this time I also had the pleasure of volunteering and working with folks suffering from Dementia and Alzheimers and supporting their loved ones through this grief.  


I completed my Masters of Science in Couple and Family Therapy at the University of Guelph, the only English Couples and Family Therapy program accredited in Canada. During my time in the program, During this time I also completed a week long Sex Therapy Intense training program. I've worked in various agency and mental health clinics before opening up my own practice in Vaughan/Concord in 2017, a city and part of the GTA where I saw a real need for more representation in culturally competent psychotherapy. Some of my previous experiences include working in not for profit organizations and agencies providing addictions counselling and child, couple, and family services across Toronto, York Region, and Peel-Dufferin Region. 

 

Gathering from my own personal experiences and professional training, I am honoured and delighted to walk alongside others as they seek my help and support in navigating the difficulties and challenges they are facing in their own life. 

Today, If I am not busy working with my clients, or my small and growing number of associates and staff; you will find me writing for various projects, conducting supportive supervision work with other therapists and therapists in training, running a small but growing Persons of Colour Support Group for Therapists within Canada, writing and creating art in the form of our practice instagram page, and scrolling through pages upon pages of pet adoptions posts fantasizing about adopting all the little furry animals that I am tragically allergic to. 

As a natural born homebody, I am spotted typically in the company of my endearing and ever-so-patient-with-me loved ones or contently on my own snuggled in some cozy corner with a good cup of tea reading a newly acquired book or planning my next road trip/vacation. 

Style & Technique

 

I believe that therapy should be a collaborative effort between all those involved. I maintain an inviting and nonjudgmental space for all regardless of identity, race, gender, ability, culture, and/or sexual orientation. I believe that we all have our own unique voice and way of thinking that allows us to experience life in our own diverse ways, I see part of my role as being able to help guide towards making changes that will take you to your most preferred way of life and living. I believe that all of us possess the tools within ourselves to create those changes. Sometimes it's hard to shift our ways of thinking and to start looking within ourselves for the answer, I strive to create a safe and compassionate environment so that I can aid you in that journey.

 

My clinical approach to therapy utilizes a strengths-focused postmodern systemic perspective, specifically drawing on the therapeutic models of: 

 

Culturally-Informed Therapy Modalities
Dialogic Therapy 
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy)
Emotion-Focused Therapy
Trauma informed Perspectives

Narrative Therapy 
Sex Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy


I am constantly learning new approaches and techniques to better serve the unique needs and goals of each and every one of my clients.

 

Training & Experience

 

As Clinical Director & Owner of Your Story Counselling Services. I work with a wide varier of multidisciplinary professionals to support and promote the mental health and well-being of individuals, couples, and families. I provide evolving, evidence-based, high-quality, accessible, and patient-centric integrative mental health services to all of my clients. I invite you to scroll down below to learn more about my experiences.

About Me

“If we are not fully ourselves, truly in the present moment, we miss everything.”

- Thich Nhat Hanh

Style and Technique

Memberships 

Registered Psychotherapist

- College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario 

Registered Marriage and Family Therapist 

- Canadian Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

Certified Canadian Counsellor

- Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association 

EMDR Canada

- Professional Membership

 

Education

University of Guelph, M.SC.  

Master of Science

Couple and Family Therapy

 

 

- Deans Scholarship

- Deans Scholarship

- Graduate Growth Fund

- Alf and Mary Hales Graduate Scholarship in Family Studies

- Leah Mildred Webster Shedden Scholarship

 

 

 

University of Waterloo, B.AH.

Bachelor of Arts Honours
Psychology Major 

Sociology Minor | Sexuality, Marriage, & Family Studies Minor

 

 

Hong Kong University 

International Exchange Program
Social Studies - Psychology

- University of Waterloo International Experience Award 

Training & Conferences

2023 Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association Conference  -Toronto, ON

2022-Present (InP) Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Training Level 1 (CCTP)- Working with the neurological legacy of trauma

- Janina Fischer - Virtual

 

2021-2022 ECHO Ontario Mental Health: Trans and Gender Diverse Healthcare - CAMH & The University of Toronto - Toronto,ON

 

2021 Clinical Supervisory Training | Presenter: Veena Kaur - KW Counselling - Kitchener/ Waterloo, ON

2021 Sex as a Safe Adventure Eft and Sex Therapy Workshop | Presenter: Simakhodskaya & Moran - Center for Psychological and Interpersonal Development (CPID) - New York, USA

2021 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis | Presenter: Noah Lazar, PhD, C.Psych. - Sick Kids Centre for Community Metal Health Learning Institute - Toronto, ON


2020 Leadership and Motivation for Supervisors | Presenter: Susan Geary, PhD. - Sick Kids Centre for Community Metal Health Learning Institute - Toronto, ON

2020 Essential Skills for The New Supervisor | Presenter: Susan Geary, PhD. - Sick Kids Centre for Community Metal Health Learning Institute - Toronto, ON

 

2020 EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy Training II - Niagara Stress & Trauma Clinic - Toronto, ON 

2019 EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy Training I - Niagara Stress & Trauma Clinic - Toronto, ON

 

2019 Image Transformation Therapy Workshop

- Dr. Miller  - Peterborough, ON

 

2018 Gay Men's Mental Health Summit - Toronto, ON

 

2017 - Treating the Invisible Wounds of Sociocultural Trauma: A Multicultural Relational Perspective - Dr. Kenneth Hardy -Toronto, ON

 

2017 - Love, Sex, & Gender Science Outreach Conference

- Toronto, ON 

 

2016 - Ontario Association of Marriage and Family Therapy- FamilyTherapy and Systemic Practice Conference , Toronto, ON

 

2016 - Intensive Sex Therapy Training Program

- University of Guelph, Guelph, ON 

 

2013 - International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP) Poster Presentation: Regional Meeting of the IACCP 2013

- California, USA 

 

 

Research & Writing

 

Malone, R. M., Stewart, M. R., Gary-Smith, M., & Wadley, J. C. (Eds.). (2021). An Intersectional Approach to Sex Therapy: Centering the Lives of Indigenous, Racialized, and People of Color. Routledge.

Chapter 6. Who Am I? Working with Young First Generational LGBTQ2+ Chinese Canadians

Judy T. Lui and Andy Mok

 

Lui, J. T. (2017). Chinese Culture in Therapy: Competencies for Therapeutic Alliance. The Atrium

Lui, J. T. (2014). Honours Thesis: Interethnic Ideology on Shifting Stereotype Content - Diversity and Intergroup Relationship Laboratory

Rice, D., Lui, J., Semnani-Azad, Z., & Adair, W.L. (2013). Role of Deadlines in Cross-cultural Negotiations: Influence of Time Perception on Goals and Outcomes. Poster Presentation - Annual Regional Meeting of the International Association for Cross-cultural Psychology, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Projects and Engagements

(For past slides and presentations, please contact me for a copy)

Sept 2024

RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards Micro-Business Finalist 

More Information Here

April 2024

Brunch and Learn Seminar - Therapeutic Alliance, First Impressions, and Motivational Interviewing Skills for Client/Patient Satisfaction: What are the important factors that build positive rapport between practitioner and client/patient? How to assess for safety and risk factors. - Presented to a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Clinic wanting to improve patient retention and satisfaction. Please contact Judy to learn more about speaking engagements.

 

October 2023

Panelist - BIPOC Perspectives on Counselling and Psychotherapy - CCPA (Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association) Conference

Within the CCPA, a group of BIPOC practitioners, staff and board leadership have come together once again to develop an
educational tool to share with conference delegates and CCPA members. Participants will be invited to view a pre-recording
from BIPOC practitioners who share highlights relevant to working with BIPOC clients and creating inclusive spaces for
BIPOC practitioners and communities of practice. The conference session will be hosted and facilitated by members of
CCPA’s AntiRacism Advisory Committee, who are eager to share towards equity, inclusion and diverse practices.

 

2023-Present 

Committee Member - Anti Racism Advisory Group, CCPA (Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association)

 

October 2021 (Free)

BIPOC Panel Series: Part 2 - The BIPOC Umbrella CCPA (Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association)

This facilitated panel discussion will hold space for our lived experiences to honour our lived experiences as CCPA members who identify as being Black, Indigenous or a person of colour (BIPOC). Panellists will explore themes of identity and what it means to be under the umbrella of BIPOC. More Information here

May 2nd 2021 

Toronto Star - How do you create intimacy with so much familiarity? Experts say time away from your partner is key - Andrea Yu 

Article Here

Winter 2020 ($)

New Moms Support Group - Virtual

In this 6 week support group, join other new moms in supporting each other navigating the changes of motherhood post partum. Joined by other mental and physical health experts, and hosted at Markham Pelvic Health. 

August 2020 (Free)

Sex and Mental Health: An Intersectional Approach for Gay Asian Men - ACAS SLAM Forum 

Judy will be spending the first portion discussing her experiences of working with LGBTQ+ folks in York Regions, specifically speaking to the experiences of East Asian and Chinese client’s experiences in therapy and more intimately the topic of working with gay Asian men. The second half of the session will be an opportunity for participants to ask questions and share their own experiences. Link to event.

Winter 2019 ($)

New Moms Support Group - Markham, ON ​

In this 6 week support group, join other new moms in supporting each other navigating the changes of motherhood post partum. Joined by other mental and physical health experts, and hosted at Markham Pelvic Health. More information on how to join the next round here 

February 11th 2019 (Free)

Live and Learn: Stress Less - Richmond Hill Library​

Join RHPL for engaging programs about key topics important to Richmond Hill and the larger society. Programs cover a wide range of topics -- including this month's Stress Less: Make life less stressful. Learn about the difference between Stress and Burnout in this information and presentation series

September 20 2019 (Free)

Markham Stouffville Hospital, Extras from the Experts; What you need to know from Pregnancy to Life with a New Baby​

Learn from the experts the extra information that traditionally NO-ONE tells you that you really need to know to best prepare yourself. Topics will include: What is optimal fetal positioning, planning your best birth, healing your pelvic floor, kegel training, postpartum mood disorders: what they are and how to spot them. Lots of flexibility to ask questions, gain the resources from the experts and go home with tools to help you prepare for the best experience.

​October 2019 

PFlag York Region - Gala Sponsor and Contributor 

MORE ABOUT PFLAG HERE

September 2 2018 (Free)

Podcast Episode with the Before Anyone Else Podcast - Ask a therapist: Supporting a partner with mental health issues​

Our guest Judy Lui, MSc, CCC, RP is a registered Psychotherapist specializing in relational therapy. We ask Judy how can we help support a partner facing mental health issues. Is there a certain way to approach the topic? How can I ask for help when my partner doesn’t feel comfortable doing so themselves? How can I encourage them to go to a therapist? Should I feel guilty about leaving someone with a mental health issue? 

LISTEN HERE

August 22 2018 (Free)

Podcast Episode with the Before Anyone Else Podcast - Ask a therapist: When should you see a relational therapist?

Our guest Judy Lui, MSc, CCC, RP is a registered Psychotherapist specializing in relational therapy. We ask Judy when should you see a relational therapist? We explore the therapeutic process and some of the most common issues that couples see therapists about. Is there a certain time or situation where you should see a therapist? How can we distinguish between an obstacle a couple can overcome vs a problem when you should leave the relationship? Is it too late to see a therapist? When does the therapy end? Why should you see a therapist?.

LISTEN HERE

April 2nd 2018 (Free)

An Introduction to Psychotherapy : University of Toronto.​

Judy is a registered psychotherapist specializing in individual, couples and family therapy. Judy will be speaking on academic requirements to enter the field, the path to becoming a psychotherapist, and her own personal experiences in the field. Following the presentation there will be a Q & A session. Food and drinks will be provided. 

Supervision

I am able to provide individual and group Clinical Supervision hours that can be counted towards CRPO (and some other Psychotherapy College) supervision hours. Please contact me at judy@yourstorycounselling.com for more information.

Training & Experience
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