About Venturous Counselling

Why "Venturous"?

You exist in context, so it only makes sense that the problems you experience do too. Unfortunately, psychology commonly disregards this context and places the issue solely within you. But isn't life already hard enough? Do you really need to take on MORE blame and shame for things that are not yours to carry?


"Venturous" means bold, daring, audacious, and enterprising. It represents the spirit of tenacity and the rebelliousness of thought required to speak truth to power both systemically and intrapersonally. Our commitment is to help you uproot the internalized beliefs that act as life support to the problems you experience.


To support you in uncovering your ability to choose your story; to make your own meaning. Because to co-create sustainable systems of thought, we have to rebelliously subscribe to a different narrative.


In the Media:

Abby Chow, MA, RCC-ACS (she/her)

Venturous Counselling + Consulting is a purpose-led wellness group built on two fundamental pillars: multidisciplinary practice and justice-oriented action. Believing in the mind-body-community connection, we pride ourselves on offering services beyond the talk...because simply focusing on talk therapy is like only allowing yourself to use one arm when swimming. You can do it, and you'd probably get to shore if you need to, but it sure makes it a lot harder than it has to be! That's why we incorporate EMDR, art, movement, and breathwork practices alongside traditional counselling services to help you truly access your full capacity for growth.


We also believe there's more to healing than therapy alone. That's where strategic justice comes in...

Strategic Justice.

Providing therapy and wellness services is only one part of our work. When you access support with us you're joining in on something bigger. Our strategic plan brings community back into mental health care. We want to thoroughly disrupt the industry that roots problems solely within you while making social responsibility optional for practitioners.  Media-kit with full details coming soon. 


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Looking to join our team? Click here.

So glad you're here! In working together, we can co-create sustainable systems of self-exploration and relational engagement so that you can connect to rootedness in joy and groundedness in purpose. A little about me: I'm a cis, queer-with-straight-partner-privilege, (currently) able-bodied, working-turned-middle class, half-gen, racialized settler from Hong Kong. I found my way to this work through exploring and navigating my own relational trauma through the lens of privilege and systemic oppression. For the last decade, I've had the....Read more >>


Meet the Venturous Team

Jane Whitlaw, MEd, RCC (she/her)

Welcome! I’m so happy you’re here and I want to congratulate you on taking the first courageous step toward healing and wellness. My clinical philosophies are rooted in the values by which I both live and work. Authenticity, I believe contributes to the development of a trusting and real connection. Who I am in session, is who I am as a person, and the congruency of my own presentation is integral to supporting you to live your life according to your own values and beliefs. I am not here to tell you what to do. I’m here to remind you of the agency you have within yourself to heal from...Read more >>

We are uninvited settlers occupying the stolen, territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), Qayqayt, and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) peoples. Our relationship with these lands dictates our commitment to understanding the ongoing impacts of colonization and decolonizing our practices in and out of the counselling room.

Not sure which practitioner would work best for you?

Take our 3-minute quiz to discover your counselling & wellness style; we'll match you with your best-fit practitioner.

Esther Jaang, MA Candidate (she/her)

SUPERVISED BY ABBY CHOW, MA, RCC-ACS #14742

Hi there, thank you for being here. Clients I’ve worked with have felt overwhelmed by what life was bringing them, and many were being re-visited by the past in ways that were painful and difficult to manage. Does this sound like what you’re going through as well? If so, I would like to help. I would like to support you as you journey through life’s tougher landscapes, which can involve big emotions or a sense of disconnection that is often too much for anyone to manage alone...Read more >>

*Only accepting new clinical supervisees + business consulting clients*

Curious about the neurobiology of counselling and therapy?

Parveen Boyal, MCP, RCC (she/her)

Hi! Thanks for being here and taking the time to find someone to support you on your counselling journey. I know how difficult it can be to reach out for support, regardless of whether or not you’ve accessed counselling before. To give you a better idea of what to expect when working with me, allow me to share a bit about my approach. In my work with clients, I endeavour to create a space in which you can talk about topics and concerns that are difficult or have felt taboo. I am a big proponent of accepting and experiencing the whole spectrum of emotions and developing more compassion towards ourselves. Counselling is a collaborative process where maintaining your autonomy...Read more >>

Julianna Lei, MCP, RCC (she/her)

*Not currently accepting clients*

Art + Somatic Psychotherapy | Works with Adults Individually.

Art + Walk and Talk Therapy | Works with Youth + Adults, Individually and through Relationship Counselling

Hello and welcome! Come and sit, let’s chat for a while. In my own lived experience getting counselling, I know how uncomfortably vulnerable it is to reach out for help; I’m glad that you are here, bravely making that first step for yourself. My work is grounded on the perspective that how we story our lives is incredibly powerful. These stories can be taught, inherited, passed down, adopted, melded, and combined. Some stories are helpful and empowering, and some stories can cause us to feel trapped, frustrated, and helpless. And for some stories that we have, we would rather them be forgotten, hidden, and ignored...Read more >>

Somatic + EMDR Practitioner | Works with Adults, Individually and through Relationship Counselling

Art, Somatic + EMDR Practitioner | Works with Adults Individually

Walk + Talk / Nature Therapy | Works with Adults Individually

Sarada Bhagavatula, MA, RCC Candidate (she/her)

Art + Somatic Psychotherapy | Works with Adults, Individually and through Relationship Counselling

Warm Greetings! I am grateful that you are here and recognize your innate strength to choose to be here. I work with clients who are navigating through their relationships with self, others, and the world. This may show up in different ways and intensities, and/or in multiple areas of life, and I value the intersectionality, complexity and uniqueness that comes with addressing and exploring your life and experiences with you. You may be experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, loss, or stress. Maybe you are wanting to rebuild trust and compassion towards yourself or navigate transitions in your life or changes in...Read more >>