Julie Phan

A bit about me...

Hi, I’m Julie (she/they), a student counsellor from Adler University. I am the second-generation daughter of Vietnamese refugees who came to Turtle Island after the Vietnam War. I live and work on the stolen lands of the səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

I identify as queer, cisgender, straight-sized, and disabled. I continually strive to reflect on my own privilege and positions of power, and how they influence my perspective as both an individual and a counsellor.

What is it like working with me?

My approach to counselling is rooted in Adlerian therapy, which believes that we are inseparable from the ecosystems in which we live. Because of this, I take a systems approach to counselling—considering the ways relationships, positionalities and identities, histories, and institutional influences may impact our wellbeing and access to care. Alongside Adlerian therapy, I am deeply influenced by theories of intersectionality, anti-capitalism, trauma-informed care, and anti-colonialism.

My work as a therapist is non-pathologizing. I believe that many of the thoughts and behaviours that may be unhelpful in the present are not signs that we are "wrong" or "bad." Rather, they are ways we learned to survive. I believe we can hold compassion for these complexities while also practicing accountability and making choices that feel more aligned with our authentic selves in the present. 

As a therapist informed by anti-oppressive and trauma-informed care, I tend to work with adults who hold marginalized identities. This includes people of the global majority (BIPOC), people who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+, sex workers, neurodivergent people, and immigrants. However, I am open to working with people of all identities if my approach resonates with you.

Areas I work with

I support folks navigating identity and culture within dominant oppressive systems, exploring how experiences of marginalization, discrimination, and belonging shape wellbeing. I also work with concerns related to self-esteem, anxiety, and depression, as well as relationship challenges, including relational conflict and attachment concerns. Whether you're moving through life transitions and change, such as the end of a relationship, starting a new job, or sharing your sexual and/or gender identity, or healing from complex trauma, I offer a collaborative space to process your experiences, deepen self-understanding, and move toward a life that feels more authentic and grounded.

Julie is taking on new clients!

Lower-Cost Counselling: $40–$80 on a sliding scale. Email hello@deciphercounselling.com to join the waitlist.

Complimentary Intake Session: 1st session (50 minutes) to see if you’re a good fit