Hi, I am Vivila Liu 刘钰镌 (she/they)
I’m a therapist-in-training, educator, and researcher with a background in community psychology, human development, and sex education. I currently offer individual, couple, and group support under supervision as I work toward registration as a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario.
My work is shaped by over a decade of practice across research, public health, and education—supporting people of all ages in navigating identity, sexuality, stress, and relationships, especially within cultural and intergenerational contexts. I’m bilingual in Mandarin and English, and much of my research and community practice has focused on improving mental health and sexual health literacy for youth, caregivers, and educators.
I believe growth is about reconnecting with who we are, and discovering what it means to be authentic to ourselves, on our own terms.
Who I work with
I support individuals, teens, adults, couples, and families navigating identity, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. People often come to me for support with:
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Cultural and intergenerational dynamics—especially among East Asian families
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Relational challenges and transitions, including conflict, disconnection, or life after separation
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Parenting or caregiving through puberty, identity shifts, and big feelings
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Identity, sexuality, and intimacy, across the lifespan
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Stress, burnout, and perfectionism in school, work, or caregiving roles
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Health symptoms linked to chronic stress (e.g., TMJ, gut issues, sleep difficulty)
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Neurodivergent experiences, emotional regulation, and value-based decision-making
My Background
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Academic foundation in psychology, human development, and sexuality
Trained in developmental psychology, childhood studies, and feminist theory, with a focus on identity, behavior, and culturally responsive care.
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Specialization in health and behavior change research & applications
Integrated research and real-world care to support behavior change, exploring how parenting, education, and social environments shape health decisions and emotional wellbeing.
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Extensive experience delivering health education across diverse settings
Facilitated over 500 workshops and outreach activities in schools, clinics, non-profits, and digital platforms. Topics include sexual health, mental health, identity, and relational care.
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Background in youth engagement and culturally grounded support
Worked with children and families in community programs and summer camps, supporting growth, communication, and self-trust across developmental stages.
My Story
I grew up in China and came to Canada alone for university. My path to becoming a therapist began through a decade of work in health education, research, and community engagement—much of it shaped by my desire to make culturally taboo topics more approachable and empowering.
As an undergrad, I studied psychology, childhood studies, and sexuality at Western University. I launched a bilingual social media channel focused on health, relationships, and sex education—hoping to make space for the kinds of conversations I never had growing up. That small experiment reached over a million views and became a lifeline for people navigating shame, silence, and uncertainty. It showed me how simply being present—authentically and nonjudgmentally—could be a source of change.
I continued my training with a Master’s in Community Psychology and worked in the community on to lead hundreds of health education programs across schools, non-profits, clinics, and digital platforms. I trained teachers, service providers, and healthcare professionals in how to support others with compassion and science. For a long time, I focused on prevention—hoping to protect people from harm before it happened.
But during the pandemic, something in me gave out. I had become skilled at pushing through—at performing “fine” while ignoring the pressure, disconnection, and unresolved pain in my own body. I burned out so severely that it impacted my physical health, nearly damaging my jaw joint from chronic tension. That rupture forced me to slow down and finally listen inward.
Through my own healing process, I realized that real change doesn’t only happen in classrooms or campaigns—it happens in the quiet of a one-on-one space, when someone feels seen. Whether we’re doing prevention or trauma recovery, psychotherapy makes room for people to reconnect with what matters to them.
Now, as a therapist-in-training, I bring both science and lived experience to my work. My approach is grounded, culturally responsive, and compassion-based. I support people in navigating complexity, rebuilding self-trust, and finding alignment in their lives—even when it feels messy, nonlinear, or hard to name.