Davina Ma

We are living in extremely challenging times — witnessing the rise of fascism, genocide, war, displacement, & climate change. For BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, women, people with mental health issues, and others of marginalized identities, it is exhausting to exist in this colonial & capitalist world. These systems were not built for us. They constantly extract from us and undermine our worth. It is important to know that you matter and deserve to be heard in a safe space that does not blame you for not doing or being enough. I support people of marginalized identities & allies to process their grief, honour their rage, and heal their wounds.

Bringing my humanity to my work, I refuse to be a blank slate. I seek to undo the harm that the mental health system continues to cause, holding systems of oppression accountable. With curiosity, I give room to breathe, feel, and reflect. With encouragement and hope, I help people to resource their resiliency, regain their power, and realize their potential.

If you are seeking healing, validation, growth, change, empowerment, clarity, or a new perspective, please visit my website and connect. To see if we will be a good fit, ask for a FREE consultation. This is an opportunity to explore your counselling goals and how I may help. Under usual circumstances, you should receive a personal reply from me in 2 days. 

My Approach

Person-centered, strengths-based, anti-oppressive counselling that:

• Prioritizes and is tailored to you and your unique needs and preferences

• Recognizes and builds upon your strengths, skills, and resources

• Works against systems of oppression, including patriarchy, white supremacy, cis/heteronormativity, and sanism

My Story

I am a second-generation Hong Kong Canadian and settler of the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples. I was born into a family of working class immigrants in which mental illness was a reality. I grew up in a small town that lacked diversity. As a result of this upbringing, I went through a significant period of denying my cultural identity as a way to fit in with my peers.

In my early adulthood, my cultural awareness and interest in this part of identity gradually grew. However, to this day, I often feel caught between two worlds and am bound by specific cultural expectations. This is further complicated by the fact that we live in a society where people of colour, particularly women of colour, do not have adequate representation and often encounter challenges in being valued or heard.

In my lifetime, I have had my own challenges with my mental health, which led me to work in the mental health field for both the non-profit sector and the public health care system. I believe there is a significant need for more women of colour to provide counselling, which led me to private practice work with the determination to support people with marginalized identities and their allies. 

First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) & Sliding Scale

FNHA mental health provider. Sliding scale available.