Our Team

Ashiya Khan-Sequeira (she/ her), MA, RCC

Hello Emily Carr community. My name is Ashiya and I am an Indo-Fijian Canadian. I was born in the breathtaking tropical islands of Fiji and immigrated to BC with my family at the age of eight.

For over 20 years, in my role as a counsellor I have had the privilege of supporting my clients in their journey of self-awareness, personal growth and healing. I work within an anti-oppressive and trauma-informed framework. I also draw from my Adlerian training and apply the basic principles of client-centred counselling through mutual respect, encouragement, and collaboration. My overall holistic approach to counselling focuses on mind-body connection and wellness.

My on-going postgraduate training has also allowed me to utilize many other modalities such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Emotional Focused Therapy (EFT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Lifespan Integration, Mindfulness, Brief and Solutions Focused, and Expressive/Art Therapy.

Areas I work in include anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, past or recent trauma, racialized trauma, grief and loss, family/relationship struggles or self-esteem and identity development.

Prior to becoming a full-time permanent counsellor on the team, I was a contract counsellor with Emily Carr for 3 years. My previous work experience has been in many sectors of the social service field such as government agencies, group homes, community centers, and schools.

As a woman of colour, I am also genuinely dedicated to being part of the healing and empowering process for racialized and marginalized communities. I provide a safe and nurturing environment for all my clients so they can be heard, seen, and understood. I strongly believe that counselling can be a powerful tool in creating hope and discovering your inner strengths and resources.

Outside of the counselling room, I can be found spending time with my family, enjoying netflix, running, or hiking the local west coast trails.

Johnny Liu (he/him), MEd, RCC

Hi everyone, my name is Johnny and I am one of the counsellors at ECU! As a queer person of colour and an immigrant from Taiwan, I am committed to holding a safe and supportive space for people to share and process their life experiences.

I work within a trauma informed and anti-oppressive framework and use a variety of complementary modalities including DBT, CBT, Solution focused, somatic experiencing, sensori-motor, attachment, and mindfulness in my practice.

Prior to working at ECU, I have worked as a therapist in community counselling settings with adults and youth, providing individual, couples, and family counselling.

Areas that I work in: LGBTQ2s+, identity formation, relational dynamics, anxiety, depression, life transitions, suicidal ideations, self harm, trauma, and early psychosis.

Hobbies and Interests: I enjoy spending time with my dog and buying plants. In my spare time, I like to zone out and not exercise.

Frances Soon (she/her), MA, RCC

Hi my name is Frances and I am a Chinese Canadian counsellor. I am dedicated to holding a safe supportive space for people to share and process their experiences. My counselling practice is guided by a belief and understanding that all people possess an inner wisdom and the capacity to heal and grow. I work within a trauma-informed, attachment/relational informed, anti-oppressive framework. To support client’s needs in an integrative way, I draw from a variety of modalities: Mindfulness Practice, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems, Expressive Therapy, CBT and DBT.

The areas that I work in include: anxiety, depression, mood disorders, self-esteem, body image concerns, LGBTQ2s, identity development, sexuality, school concerns, trauma, stress management, grief & loss, self-harm, suicidal ideation, life transitions, and relationship concerns.

Aside from my work at Emily Carr, I have worked as a counsellor in community, education, and health settings, supporting diverse populations of children, youth, adults, and families.

In my spare time you will find me in nature, involved in creative projects, enjoying music or relaxing with others or solo.

Susan Morris (she/her), MA, CCC

Hi there, my name is Susan (she/her) and I’m a Canadian Certified Counsellor with over 28 years of experience counselling post-secondary students. I really love working with young adults because I think it’s such an exciting time of life, full of possibilities but also rife with challenges, such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief, relationship difficulties, and identity formation issues.

My approach, in our brief 8 session-model, is a practical and collaborative one, focused on problem-solving and identifying strengths and building on them. I use Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) to help unpack experiences and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and mindfulness to process the accompanying difficult emotions, thoughts, and body sensations; and finally, values clarification and imagery to set personal goals. None of this work can happen, however, without the scaffolding of trust and respect build together with the students.

Outside of work, I like to read and watch movies, as well as do yoga, ski, and cycle.

Maren S. (she/her), MEd, RCC

Hello, my name is Maren and I am a white settler of European descent. I grew up in rural places across the prairies and also spent some time on the east coast before moving to Vancouver. My previous counselling experience has primarily been working with people who have experienced relationship abuse. Before becoming a counsellor, I worked in various social housing settings, including in the DTES.

I like to think about big picture stuff, my BA was in philosophy. I use Narrative Therapy and Intersectional Feminist frameworks to consider how societal meta-narratives like white supremacy, heteronormativity, classism, transphobia, able-body-ism and fat phobia etc. impact daily life. I also draw from approaches that are sometimes categorized as ‘third-wave’ CBT’s' – these are well researched therapies that expand on traditional Cognitive Behavioural Therapy by addressing physiological processes (such as breathing and tension) and the social context of behaviour, along with thought processes. Examples of these therapies include ACT and Dialectic Behavioural therapy.

I’m also a parent to 2 young children so I don’t have very much free time for anything else.

Jennifer Dehoney (she/her), MCP, RCC

Greetings,

I am a visitor living, working and raising my family on the stolen territories of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. I endeavour to walk in a good way while I am here by contributing to the healing journey that is underway and led by the stewards of these lands.

I am a member of the Missanabie Cree First Nation and am also of mixed European ancestry. I was formerly a physiotherapist & wellness coach and am one of the founders of Kilala Lelum – a health & healing centre in Strathcona.

As a counsellor I am guided by Indigenous teachings that centre wholistic (physical, mental, emotional & spiritual) well-being, which I integrate with what I have learned from the field of psychology. My approach is relational, attachment-focused, feeling & heart-centred and strengths-based. My clients tend to describe me as warm and calm. Laughter, tears and an authentic exploration of your lived experience tends to be what happens in sessions with me. I hold endless hope for the change & healing that my client’s desire.

My relationships with family, friends and community are what my world is centred around. I enjoy baking with my teen, playing cards with my tween, beach-walking and hiking with my partner and 3-dogs or spending time reading, daydreaming, writing or sharing good coffee and fabulous meals with friends.

I look forward to connecting with you and supporting you on your educational journey!

Marcia Belluce (she/her), MA, RCC

As a settler, I humbly acknowledge the immense privilege of living and working on the unceded, ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples – a privilege made possible because of historic and ongoing colonialism. I also recognize my responsibility for ongoing learning to deepen my understanding of reconciliation and allyship.

As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, I have had the honour of supporting individuals on their journeys of healing and personal growth for over 10 years. My approach is trauma-informed and centers ethics, social justice and a holistic perspective. I strive to affirm culture, ability, and identity while focusing on the well-being, needs, and therapeutic goals of each individual. I believe in everyone’s inherent wisdom and ability to heal and unlock their full potential.

Dina Aguila (she/her/ella), RCC, CCC

Hello and welcome,

My name is Dina Aguila and I am an immigrant from El Salvador, Central America. I am a survivor of a civil war in my country and this experience has contributed not only to my resiliency, but also to my awareness of systemic oppression, censorship, and how oppressive practices show up in the different spaces that we inhabit in our day to day lives.

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Approved Clinical Supervisor with BCACC, Certified Canadian Counsellor with CCPA, a Certified Trauma Counsellor, and a Level I Sensorimotor Psychotherapist. My professional background spans over 20 years of experience, having had the privilege of supporting people through life transitions, grief & loss, trauma, mental health, substance use, marriage difficulties, work stress, and career transitions. My clinical work has been at a community level, a contracted Clinical Counsellor, and a Clinician in private practice. In the past 13 years, I also have had the privilege of providing clinical supervision to Master Degree students in the field. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work with a wide range of individuals from diverse backgrounds, sexual orientation, age, gender, race, and ethnicities.

I adhere to a therapy that is collaborative in nature and is informed by principles of social justice which guide me to examine my own power, name injustices, and to hold myself accountable so that I don’t replicate oppressive practices. My therapy is also informed by other approaches such as narrative, solution focused, DBT, Response-Based, and body-oriented modalities, placing at the center of it, an ethical praxis that focuses on the well-being, needs, and goals of each individual. My practice is Trauma-informed and affirming of culture, ability, and identity; I am LGBTQIA2S+ friendly and honouring of the wisdom inherent in each individual and their right to seek their journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and healing in the best way that makes sense to them.

“What hurts the victim most is not the cruelty of the oppressor, but the silence of the bystander.”
— Elie Wiese

Taryn Porter (she/her), BFA, MSW

Student Resource Coordinator - Counselling Services

Hello Emily Carr community. I was raised under the beautiful Alberta skies and I am from a family of British and Irish heritage. I have the privilege of working at Emily Carr since 2017. Prior to this I have worked in many social work roles since 2000. I am humbly committed to creating a safe space for everyone that I work with.

As an Emily Carr graduate myself, I am very familiar with some of the struggles that students face. I have a kind heart and I really enjoy listening to students share their lives, resiliencies and struggles. I enjoy the process of working with students so they feel empowered to find their own solutions.

I have a Master of Social Work degree from U of T’s Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency program. I am passionate about practising within a trauma-informed and strength based framework. I have expertise and knowledge in the area of violence against women and working with families and individuals in crisis.

In my spare time, I enjoy practising ball mace flow, yoga (when the mood strikes me), riding my bike, fiction audio books, sitting out in the sun. I love wheel throwing and really anything to do with ceramics.

John Tolentino (he/him) MSW, RSW

Student Resource Coordinator - Policy Navigation and Support Message System

Hello folks,

My name is John Tolentino, and I am an outgoing, cisgender, queer, Filipino-Canadian, settler-migrant. I was born and raised in Perugia, Italy and now I am grateful to live on the on the unceded territories of the əl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam) Nations, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Growing up, my mother taught me about the essence of life and specifically what it means to be of help to others, I bring this lesson learnt as a child as an extension to my work with students who are seeking a saf(er) space while navigating their studies.

I use an empathetic approach to meet you where you are at. I borrow from many different theories making my style eclectic; these theories include strengths-based, emotion-focused, narrative, mindfulness, and trauma-informed practice. I believe in collectivism and holistic wellness. Moreover, I am also passionate about social justice and use an anti-oppressive framework to consider any systemic barriers that might impact your life.

When I am not at work, I love to get a good work out in, go to a museum or art gallery, travel and spend time with family and friends.

Joey Ho (they/all pronouns), MSW

Student Resource Coordinator - Wellness Programming

Hi everyone! My name is Joey and I am a second-generation queer Chinese settler born and raised on Treaty 13 territory. I have been residing on unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) territories for the past couple of years.

A little bit about who I am as a person. I am a silly goose who loves getting to know people. I am someone who believes so deeply in the power of community building and operating from a place of love and care. I have a big imagination and am constantly dreaming and learning about how we can do things differently. I work from an anti-colonial and relational lens and look forward to supporting you in whatever ways I can.

My hobbies include being in the bush, collecting and playing Pokémon the card game, and lying down. I love connecting through food and I am immensely grateful that I get to do this as a job! Come relax in the Oasis Lounge and connect with others through food in the Wellness Kitchen!