About Linda Bao Counselling Services
“I am deeply inspired by the resilience of the human spirit; therefore, it is a true honour and privilege to get to witness this remarkable force in all my clients and support them to greater health and well-being.”
Linda Bao, MSW, BA
Registered Social Worker
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner
Photo by Emilie Iggiotti
Photo by Emilie Iggiotti
Experience & Education
Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work in different settings, providing individual and group support for a wide range of issues.
Prior to opening my private practice in 2012, I worked in the non-profit sector for 9 years providing crisis intervention services, walk-in counselling services, suicide bereavement counselling, and support to caregivers of individuals at risk of suicide. I have also worked with children, teens, and their families in schools.
I have a Masters degree in Clinical Social Work, along with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and a Bachelor of Social Work.
While completing my education, I decided to switch from psychology to social work. I wanted to pursue my career in counselling as a social worker because a defining value of social work is the pursuit of social justice and this is highly important to me.
I am very passionate and dedicated to ongoing learning. I take advantage of training opportunities whenever I can to ensure that I am providing my clients with best quality, evidence-based care.
When I am not working, my favourite way to spend my time is with my husband and two children. I also love music, admiring and creating art, fashion, and being in nature. I have a strong spiritual practice that involves daily meditation, yoga, and listening to my intuition.
Approaches
I believe in the importance of taking a holistic approach to health and well-being due to the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit. We can access greater health and healing when we look at all parts of ourselves. Being a social worker, I also consider how oppression and structural inequalities may play a part in my client’s challenges.
I primarily use somatic/body-oriented modalities such as Somatic Experiencing and Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy, but also incorporate Attachment-Based Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
I am very passionate about somatic therapy as I have seen its power. My clients will often report having done talk therapy with multiple therapists prior to seeing me and feel that not much has changed for them. I get very excited at the opportunity to work with these clients because taking a somatic approach that incorporates the body often leads to the changes they wish to achieve.
A core component to my work is helping people to develop a deep partnership with their body, emotions, and needs. This promotes a life that is more aligned with their true self. I believe self-awareness and learning how to engage our deepest resources are the keys to healthy living.
My main strength as a counsellor is the ability to create a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship with my clients. I bring compassion, warmth, and professionalism to my practice and balance talk therapy and experiential therapy.
NOTE: Services provided in English only.
About the Hummingbird
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