About Us
Land Acknowledgement
We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Diversity Commitment
River District Counselling & Wellness is committed to diversity and inclusion of each individual. Our counsellors aim to create a safe environment where each person is free to express themselves in their most authentic way while striving to build healthy connections and achieve mental wellness. We value the wealth of different backgrounds and variety of lived experiences that each person brings to tell their story. Our mission is to educate, support, and provide therapy to each individual by fostering resilience through a collaborative approach to achieve mind-body wellness.
Melissa Chan, Clinical Director
Accepting New Clients - January 2023
MACP, RCC #15037
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Services offered in English
Born and raised in Victoria, BC, Melissa has spent her educational career building her experience with families and children. She holds a Bachelor of Child Studies with a focus on Early Intervention with children and youth from Mount Royal University and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. Melissa enjoys working with individuals, couples and families to support them through the many challenges they encounter. She continues to educate herself with trainings in Emotion Focused Therapy, Play Therapy and other therapeutic modalities that help strengthen client's mental health.
She believes that in order for counselling to be successful, it is important to have an authentic, genuine connection between counsellor and client. She prides herself on showing up in the truest version of herself to each session. Her value systems were built through her work in both non profit and private practice environments. She has hosted seminars and educational presentations for professionals and those seeking to build an maintain healthy relationships.
Through the counselling process, Melissa offers individuals a space to process and connect the dots of events that have happened in their life, family support for parents who are needing strategies on how to navigate through parenting challenges, and personalized outreach services to children and youth who are seeking counselling services in a non-traditional way.
Yvonne Chen, Clinical Director
MEd, RCC # 14778
*Not accepting New Clients*
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Services offered in English
Yvonne has called Vancouver home since 1973 and holds a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology, specializing in Vocational Rehabilitation from the University of British Columbia. Her career as a counsellor began while working in university settings where she provided counselling to young adults. While completing her credentials, she worked in the non-profit sector where she became interested in helping those with a history of trauma. She spent time training at BC Cancer Agency (BCCA), Patient and Family Counselling Services providing services to patients with cancer and their families.
Her experiences launched her self-discovery of how her many interests and abilities were highly transferrable in helping others. Specifically, she has learned how to identify the right learning strategy and accommodate needs for clients with mental health challenges. As a therapist, Yvonne is genuine, caring and an insightful professional who creates a safe therapeutic space to foster personal growth and self-awareness.
Yvonne considers herself a life long learner. She is a mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend and survivor. On her downtime, you will find Yvonne exploring trails and playing with her dog, Sookie.
Catherine Chlebak, Associate Counsellor
MEd, RCC # 10973
accepting New Clients Thursday only