Art Therapy · Psychotherapy · Vancouver, BC

Chen Yue Guo

Registered Art Therapist (RCAT)  ·  Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
BA, DTATI, RP (Qualifying)

"When words feel hard, we can start somewhere else..."

I offer a space where things don't have to be clear right away, and you don't need the "right" words. We begin with what is present - whether that's a feeling, a pause, an image, or something still taking form.

Chen Yue Guo

My Approach

Not everything we carry can be easily named.

Virtual Sessions
In-Person
English & Mandarin
"Sometimes we talk. Sometimes we create. Sometimes we simply notice what's there."

My work has taken shape across different spaces: sitting with university students navigating change, supporting older adults through loss and memory, working with families and couples, and accompanying individuals carrying complex, often unspoken experiences.

In therapy, I offer a space where things don't have to be clear right away, and you don't need the "right" words. We begin with what is present — whether that's a feeling, a pause, an image, or something still taking form.

Art therapy can help hold what feels difficult to say or allow you to see something from a new angle. It's not about making something beautiful or finished, but about letting something take shape in its own time.

My approach is person-centered, grounded in care, collaboration, and respect for your pace. I attend to how experiences live not only in words, but also in the body, memory, and those spaces that feel harder to reach. Together, we work in ways that feel manageable and attuned to you.

What I Offer

Services

Art Therapy

A way to explore your thoughts and emotions beyond words. Through simple creative processes, we can gently discover what's been coming up in a different way.

  • Drawing, painting, or creative exercises
  • Working with images, symbols, or colour
  • Integrated with psychotherapy
  • No art experience needed

Psychotherapy

A space to talk, reflect, and better understand your thoughts, emotions, and experiences — especially during times that feel overwhelming or difficult to navigate alone.

  • Talking through what feels present
  • Noticing patterns in thoughts and emotions
  • Making sense of complex experiences
  • At a pace that feels right for you

Family & Relationship

Support for individuals navigating relationship dynamics within families or partnerships — communication challenges, emotional disconnection, and patterns in relationships.

  • Communication challenges
  • Emotional disconnection
  • Understanding relationship patterns
  • Creative approaches available
Abstract art

About

Chen Yue Guo

I am a Registered Art Therapist (RCAT) with the Canadian Art Therapy Association and a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).

I completed my undergraduate studies in Psychology at the University of British Columbia and trained in Art Therapy at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute.

With over six years of experience supporting diverse populations — including university students, older adults, couples, and individuals navigating mental health challenges — my work has taken place in hospitals, senior care homes, private practice, and community settings, including the Dr. Peter Centre and North York General Hospital.

I have a lifelong connection to the arts, beginning with Chinese painting in childhood and exploring woodwork, sculpture, and digital art. I have also studied piano since the age of five. These creative experiences deeply shape my work in both art therapy and psychotherapy.

RCAT — Canadian Art Therapy Association RP (Qualifying) — CRPO BA Psychology — UBC DTATI — Toronto Art Therapy Institute

Sessions available in English and Mandarin (普通话)

Questions

Frequently Asked

What is art therapy?
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative processes — such as drawing, painting, or working with materials — as a way to explore thoughts, emotions, and experiences. It can offer another way of expressing what may be difficult to put into words.
Do I need to be "good at art" to do art therapy?
Not at all. Art therapy is not about artistic skill or creating something polished. It's about the process of making and what it might help you notice, feel, or understand. Many people who come to art therapy have little or no art experience.
What happens in an art therapy session?
Sessions can look different depending on your needs. Sometimes we talk, sometimes we create, and sometimes we move between both. You may be invited to use art materials, or we may simply begin with conversation. There is no right or wrong way to participate.
What if I don't feel like making art?
That's completely okay. Art therapy is always an invitation, not a requirement. We can work through conversation, or gently explore creative approaches at your own pace if and when it feels right.
What materials do I need for virtual sessions?
For virtual sessions, we can work with whatever you have available — simple materials like pen and paper are often enough. For in-person sessions, all materials are provided.
What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a space to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences through conversation and reflection. It can help you better understand yourself and what you've been going through.
What kinds of concerns can psychotherapy help with?
Psychotherapy can support a range of experiences, including anxiety, low mood, life transitions, relationship challenges, and grief. It can also be a space for self-exploration and personal growth.
How many sessions will I need?
This varies for each person. Some people come for a shorter period around a specific concern, while others choose to work together longer-term. We can check in together about what feels right for you.
Who can attend relationship sessions?
Sessions can include couples, family members, or other important relationships. We can talk together about who it feels helpful to include.
Do we need to be in conflict to come?
Not at all. Some people come to work through specific challenges, while others come to strengthen communication, deepen connection, or navigate life changes together.
What if it feels hard to talk in front of others?
That's completely understandable. We move at a pace that feels manageable, making space for each person in a way that feels respectful and supported.
Can art therapy be included in relationship sessions?
If it feels helpful, creative approaches can be gently integrated to support expression and communication. This is always optional and adapted to your comfort level.

Session Fees

Individual

Individual Session

$130

60 minutes

Couples / Families

Couples Session

$150

60 minutes

90-minute sessions available upon request

Not sure where to start? Begin with a free 15-minute consultation.

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Connect

Get in Touch

If you are interested in booking an initial consultation or a session, please reach out. Please note that I will not return a call unless you leave a voice message. I look forward to hearing from you.

Greater Vancouver Area, BC
Virtual sessions available across Canada

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