Thank you for being here! I’m Chantelle, and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor and the Clinical Director at HealthMind. I work with individuals and folks in relationship to move through the challenges, transitions, heartaches, and joys of life with grace, clarity, self-assuredness, and softness. My integrative approach is grounded in humanistic and feminist philosophies, with deep respect for each individual’s lived context and the wisdom that brings. My practice is collaborative, warm, and focused on cultivating safety, agency, and meaningful connection.
Chantelle Lam
Let’s know more about Chantelle
Education and professional certifications?
- Master of Counselling
- Doctor of Psychology (in progress)
- Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
- Approved Clinical Supervisor – Candidate
Specializations or preferred populations?
- Grief, loss, and end-of-life
- Career challenges and transitions
- Relationships and couple counselling
- Clinical supervision to early-career therapists
Therapeutic modalities?
- Person-Centered Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Relational-Cultural Therapy
- Attachment-based models
Why I Do This Work?
What inspired you to become a counsellor?
I first became fascinated by psychology in an introductory high school course, drawn by a deep curiosity about how people experience the world and make the choices they do. Through peer counselling, tutoring, and many years volunteering on helplines, I was continually moved by witnessing the resilience and creativity people bring to even the most difficult circumstances. I’ve also experienced firsthand the power of social support and connection. Pursuing a career in counselling and education has allowed me to be one of those supportive structures for others, helping to create the conditions where growth, healing, and self-understanding can take root.
What inspires you most in your work with clients?
I’m endlessly inspired by the ways people keep showing up for their own lives with humour, creativity, and courage, even when things feel uncertain or painful. Bearing witness to that kind of perseverance and self-discovery is a profound honour.
What It’s Like to Work With You
What can someone expect in their first session with you?
Our first session together is where we will lay the foundation of our work together. It is helpful to me to get to know you in the greater context of your life: Where and who do you come from? How have relationships worked for you? What do employment and education look like for you? Who supports you now? What would you like more of in your life and what would you like to change? I’ll listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and begin mapping themes across your history, roles, and context so we can move at a pace that feels safe.
How would your clients describe your greatest strengths?
Clients have described me as warm, genuine, a little goofy, and deeply engaged in our work together. I’ve been told that I have a way of offering both compassion and honest reflection, creating space for comfort while inviting accountability and growth. Those who know me across my roles as friend, therapist, instructor, and colleague often say that what they appreciate most is my consistency and that I show up as authentically “me” in every role I hold.
Your Approach & Philosophy
What ideas or approaches guide your work?
The cornerstone of my counseling philosophy is the belief that every person possesses the innate ability to heal and improve their circumstances, provided they have supportive and safe relationships in which to grow, and are empowered to challenge both internal and systemic barriers. I’m dedicated to understanding the uniqueness of your lived experiences, including your early life history, the diverse roles you play in life, and the cultural context in which you exist. I firmly believe that our life dilemmas often arise not just from internal conflict or trauma but are intricately intertwined with the social context in which we live.
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about therapy?
Many people think of therapy as something you turn to only when something is wrong, but it can also be a proactive part of caring for your mental and emotional well-being. Therapy offers space for accountability, reflection, and intentional growth. It supports deeper self-understanding, stronger relationships, and a clearer sense of what feels meaningful in your life.
Life Beyond the Therapy Room
How do you take care of your own well-being?
Staying connected to the important people in my life, from my spouse and family to my own therapist and supervisor, is key to my being able to show up for you resourced, grounded, and ethically. I also gain energy by diversifying my work through facilitating community workshops, teaching, and supervising developing therapists.
What brings you joy or helps you recharge outside of work?
I love to walk outdoors, be it through the city or in our magical wooded areas. I’m a voracious reader of fiction and memoirs—paper, e-reader, and audiobooks, they all count! I play the piano and sing badly but boldly, and I get the absolute most joy from spending time with my niblings!
Guidance & Encouragement
What would you say to someone who’s nervous about starting therapy?
Starting therapy is a vulnerable and courageous act; It’s normal to feel cautious and hesitant before taking a leap, especially when the person you’re trusting to catch you is still a stranger! While I’ll offer direction, we’ll move at your pace and you’ll take the lead on defining the focus of your work. A free initial consultation is a simple, no-pressure way to see if we’re a good fit and to ask any questions you have.