Michael Chu | Shanti Psychotherapy

Meet Michael Chu

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

RP (Qualifying)

He / Him

Book an Appointment with Michael Chu

Have you ever felt lost in life? Days fly by, and you’re just going through the motions. It’s difficult to be someone that everyone likes but lose sight of who you are and what you want. I want to let you know that you’re not alone. Together, we can follow the breadcrumbs and find yourself again.

I spent half of my life in Hong Kong before moving to Canada. I had to rebuild everything from scratch: new friends, new country, new ways of being, all while shouldering the expectations of my parents and family who worked so hard to give me this opportunity. I lost myself under the weight of unbearable expectations, but therapy has helped me build the strength and self-awareness to face these challenges, just as I believe it will for you.

I work with adults (18+) who are trying to understand themselves, who want to understand how to deal with the daily overwhelming emotions of life that you can’t quite put a finger on. I specialize in Men’s Mental Health and support concerns including Anxiety, Mood Issues, Self-Confidence, Relationship Difficulties, Work Stress, Anger, Family Issues, Cultural Identity and Adjustment, Academic Pressure and Fear of Failure, and Major Life Transitions.

Trained in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, I explore your unconscious thoughts with you and help you feel heard and understood, so that together, we can find the authentic ‘you’ and develop ways to tackle life with more clarity and purpose.

See our FAQ on Therapy Modalities.

Ready to take the next step? Book a free consultation today.
Let’s talk about what you’re looking for and learn more about the ways I can support you.

Follow Shanti Psychotherapy

Being raised by a narcissistic parent can shape an entire life!

A child learns that love has to be earned and that their feelings come second. Those lessons follow them into adulthood, affecting relationships, self-worth, and self-perception.

Choosing distance is rarely sudden. It usually comes after years of trying to be seen, heard, and loved.

In her new article, Shanti clinician Rashmi Kumar, RP, who specializes in healing from narcissistic abuse, explores:

• Why children are wired to seek a parent’s approval, and what happens when love comes with conditions

• The lasting toll: people-pleasing, hypervigilance, self-blame, and trouble setting boundaries

• The breaking point, when no amount of effort will change their behaviour

• “Ambiguous loss,” grieving a parent who is still alive, and gentle ways to create your own closure

• What estrangement can mean for your relationship with the other parent

• Cultural pressure: when “family comes first” adds guilt to an already painful decision • How therapy can help you rebuild self-worth without losing your culture

Estrangement isn’t about ending love. It’s about ending harm.

It’s more common than you think, and you are not alone. You can heal from this, and we’re here to help.

📖 Read the full article: link in bio
📞 Free 20-minute consultation: (437) 747-0692
🌐 shantipsychotherapy.ca

#narcissisticparent #narcissisticabuse #familyestrangement #adultchildrenofnarcissists #ambiguousloss

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Open post by shanti_psychotherapy with ID 18115076959999316
Being raised by a narcissistic parent can shape an entire life!A child learns that love has to be earned and that their feelings come second. Those lessons follow them into adulthood, affecting relationships, self-worth, and self-perception.Choosing distance is rarely sudden. It usually comes after years of trying to be seen, heard, and loved.In her new article, Shanti clinician Rashmi Kumar, RP, who specializes in healing from narcissistic abuse, explores:• Why children are wired to seek a parent’s approval, and what happens when love comes with conditions• The lasting toll: people-pleasing, hypervigilance, self-blame, and trouble setting boundaries• The breaking point, when no amount of effort will change their behaviour• “Ambiguous loss,” grieving a parent who is still alive, and gentle ways to create your own closure• What estrangement can mean for your relationship with the other parent• Cultural pressure: when “family comes first” adds guilt to an already painful decision • How therapy can help you rebuild self-worth without losing your cultureEstrangement isn’t about ending love. It’s about ending harm.It’s more common than you think, and you are not alone. You can heal from this, and we’re here to help.📖 Read the full article: link in bio 📞 Free 20-minute consultation: (437) 747-0692 🌐 shantipsychotherapy.ca#narcissisticparent #narcissisticabuse #familyestrangement #adultchildrenofnarcissists #ambiguousloss

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My high five "why": NO ONE should have to put aside their culture before they can heal.

I`m Angie Agrawal-Holstein, proud mom of three, a trauma therapist, and the founder of Shanti Psychotherapy.

I grew up second-generation South Asian in Southern Ontario. After 25 years in mental health, I know culture is the missing piece in care.

Research shows culturally adapted therapy brings 4.7 times greater odds of symptom remission (Hall et al., 2016). Yet most people have never heard of culturally relevant therapy or language matching. So they settle for one-size-fits-all care, and too many end up back in a revolving-door system.

At Shanti, therapy is offered in 15 languages by clinicians who understand family expectations, faith, stigma, and what it`s like to live between cultures. You don`t have to translate your feelings or explain where you come from. You can simply begin.

If we win the High Five Grant, it will fund a Canada-wide awareness campaign so people know this kind of care exists and can find it:

• A video series of our clinicians explaining culturally relevant therapy, in their own languages • Targeted outreach to newcomer and international student communities • Translated pamphlets for campus events, including our seven Laadliyan university chapters • Subsidized sessions through our Making Therapy Accessible Program

Culture isn`t a bonus in therapy. It`s essential.

Thank you @usbank and @highfivegrant for investing in mom entrepreneurs.

#highfivegrant #culturallyrelevanttherapy #languagematching #mentalhealthcanada #momentrepreneur #shantipsychotherapy

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Open post by shanti_psychotherapy with ID 18111231313852175
My high five "why": NO ONE should have to put aside their culture before they can heal.I'm Angie Agrawal-Holstein, proud mom of three, a trauma therapist, and the founder of Shanti Psychotherapy.I grew up second-generation South Asian in Southern Ontario. After 25 years in mental health, I know culture is the missing piece in care.Research shows culturally adapted therapy brings 4.7 times greater odds of symptom remission (Hall et al., 2016). Yet most people have never heard of culturally relevant therapy or language matching. So they settle for one-size-fits-all care, and too many end up back in a revolving-door system.At Shanti, therapy is offered in 15 languages by clinicians who understand family expectations, faith, stigma, and what it's like to live between cultures. You don't have to translate your feelings or explain where you come from. You can simply begin.If we win the High Five Grant, it will fund a Canada-wide awareness campaign so people know this kind of care exists and can find it:• A video series of our clinicians explaining culturally relevant therapy, in their own languages • Targeted outreach to newcomer and international student communities • Translated pamphlets for campus events, including our seven Laadliyan university chapters • Subsidized sessions through our Making Therapy Accessible ProgramCulture isn't a bonus in therapy. It's essential.Thank you @usbank and @highfivegrant for investing in mom entrepreneurs.#highfivegrant #culturallyrelevanttherapy #languagematching #mentalhealthcanada #momentrepreneur #shantipsychotherapy

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Violence and aggression toward education staff are increasing, raising important questions about the mental health and behavioural supports available within schools.

In a recent CBC News article, Shanti founder and trauma therapist Angie Agrawal Holstein speaks to the growing expectations placed on educators:

“It is not possible for teachers to wear all these different hats of behaviour specializations, diagnostics, as well as the emotional counseling support.”

Supporting students also means ensuring educators have access to the right professionals, resources, and systems around them.

🔗 Read the full CBC News article for more on this important issue in our bio.

#shantipsychotherapy #mentalhealthinschools #teachermentalhealth #studentmentalhealth #mentalhealthsupport education

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/violence-against-education-staff-in-n-w-t-on-the-rise-union-says-9.7322079

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Open post by shanti_psychotherapy with ID 18336535264275213
Violence and aggression toward education staff are increasing, raising important questions about the mental health and behavioural supports available within schools.In a recent CBC News article, Shanti founder and trauma therapist Angie Agrawal Holstein speaks to the growing expectations placed on educators:“It is not possible for teachers to wear all these different hats of behaviour specializations, diagnostics, as well as the emotional counseling support.”Supporting students also means ensuring educators have access to the right professionals, resources, and systems around them.🔗 Read the full CBC News article for more on this important issue in our bio.#shantipsychotherapy #mentalhealthinschools #teachermentalhealth #studentmentalhealth #mentalhealthsupport educationhttps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/violence-against-education-staff-in-n-w-t-on-the-rise-union-says-9.7322079

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Do you find yourself replaying conversations, expecting the worst, or getting stuck in the same thoughts over and over again?

Anxiety can make it difficult to switch off, even when you know your thoughts aren’t helping. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps you identify unhelpful thinking patterns, challenge them, and develop practical tools to respond differently.

Learn how CBT can help you break free from cycles of worry and build healthier ways of coping.

📞 Book a free consultation to learn more: https://www.shantipsychotherapy.ca/

#CBT #AnxietySupport #Overthinking #MentalHealthSupport #Psychotherapy

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Open post by shanti_psychotherapy with ID 18086477825645946
Do you find yourself replaying conversations, expecting the worst, or getting stuck in the same thoughts over and over again?Anxiety can make it difficult to switch off, even when you know your thoughts aren’t helping. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps you identify unhelpful thinking patterns, challenge them, and develop practical tools to respond differently.Learn how CBT can help you break free from cycles of worry and build healthier ways of coping.📞 Book a free consultation to learn more: https://www.shantipsychotherapy.ca/#CBT #AnxietySupport #Overthinking #MentalHealthSupport #Psychotherapy

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Meet Sonomi, Registered Psychotherapist at Shanti Psychotherapy. 🌿

Sonomi supports parents navigating stress, overwhelm, family challenges, and the everyday realities of raising children. She is passionate about helping parents build stronger connections with themselves and their families through compassionate, practical support.

📍 Virtual and in-person appointments available
📞 Book a free consultation to learn more

#MeetTheTherapist #Psychotherapy #ParentingSupport #mentalhealth

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Open post by shanti_psychotherapy with ID 17997714071982938
Meet Sonomi, Registered Psychotherapist at Shanti Psychotherapy. 🌿Sonomi supports parents navigating stress, overwhelm, family challenges, and the everyday realities of raising children. She is passionate about helping parents build stronger connections with themselves and their families through compassionate, practical support.📍 Virtual and in-person appointments available 📞 Book a free consultation to learn more#MeetTheTherapist #Psychotherapy #ParentingSupport #mentalhealth

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