Theo Chu (he/him)
MKin, MC, Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO #15421), Registered Clinical Counsellor (BCACC #21008), Certified Mental Performance Consultant®️
Client Focus: Teens (14+), Athletes, Teams, Adults
Modalities: Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Person-Centred, Psychodynamic Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Sport Psychology/Mental Skills Training, Self-Compassion
Common Concerns: Anger, Anxiety, Confidence, Depression, Grief, Identity and Self-Development, LGBTQ, Life Transitions, Men's Concerns, Parenting, Performance Enhancement, Relationship Issues, Self-Esteem, Trauma
Areas of Practice: Sport Psychology, Mental Performance, GBQ (Gay, Bisexual, Queer) Men, Relationship Issues
With my dual sport psychology and mental health background, I take a balanced approach of coaching you toward a sense of fulfillment while also encouraging introspection and guiding you to self-reflect. I help you get to where you would like to be and also explore the roots of your concerns. My role is to help you gain insight, challenge you, highlight your innate strengths, and point out what you may be unaware of, all while holding space for you in a compassionate, curious manner. We are on a transformational journey of co-creation where you are the expert on your life and experiences, while I am the expert in facilitating growth and change.
In psychotherapy we are ultimately rewiring the brain's neural pathways. I bring neuroscience knowledge into the room to help you understand how the brain and nervous system impact your life experiences, and I take a body-based, relational approach to help orient you to a deeper truth and meaning with the goal of fostering self-growth. I integrate evidence-based therapies such as Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS) with somatic work and sport psychology techniques such as mental imagery, self-compassion, and mindfulness. I love helping clients find those "aha" moments.
I work with teens (14+), adults, athletes, and teams. My clients include both high performers and individuals seeking a deeper understanding of themselves. I especially enjoy working with athletes and professionals who want to strengthen their mental game, improve relationships, and align their values with their performance goals. I help clients recognize the connection between the mind and body and how internal patterns shape behaviour. Through awareness, somatic regulation, and mental skills training, clients learn to stay grounded under pressure, recover from setbacks, and approach challenges with clarity. Whether it is shaking off mistakes, staying locked in during high-stakes moments, or rebuilding after injury, I emphasize emotional intelligence, resilience, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
I am a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors, and I am a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC). I hold two graduate degrees, including a Master of Kinesiology specializing in sport psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master of Counselling from City University of Seattle. My training has included working at Douglas College and the University of British Columbia campuses, treating athletes' clinical concerns as well as helping them hone their mental game.
Performance Interests: I was a competitive soccer player from ages 10 to 22, where I competed at the provincial, national, and university/varsity levels. I am a former member of the varsity soccer team at the University of Alberta, where we competed at the national championship three times during my tenure. In my youth, I was also part of the National Training Centre program where they trained players as prospects for Team Canada. Currently, I work out four to five times a week to boost my well-being, sharpen my mental game, embody the mind-body connection, and emulate the lessons I encourage my clients to adopt.
Learn More About Theo’s Work:
Playing with Thanks: Using Gratitude to Enhance Performance and Well-Being in Sport
