Therapy in Punjabi, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Urdu in Vancouver

This page reflects our understanding of mental health topics as of 2026. If you are reading this at a later date, some details may no longer be current, so please verify anything important against up to date sources. If you notice anything that needs updating, we would welcome you letting us know.

Pacific Maple Psych Centre offers therapy and psychological assessment in Punjabi, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Urdu, in addition to English, and one clinician also speaks conversational Hindi. Many people find it easier to describe emotions, memories, and family experiences in their first language, especially when English feels more formal or distant. Working with a clinician who shares your language can also make it easier to talk about cultural expectations, family roles, and stigma around mental health without needing to explain everything. Sessions are available in person in Vancouver and virtually across BC, so people in Surrey, Richmond, Burnaby, Abbotsford, and other communities can access support in their language.

Why Language Matters in Therapy

Emotions Live in Language

Many people find that feelings and memories from childhood or family life are tied to the language in which they happened. Words for some emotions do not translate neatly, and speaking in your first language can bring them closer to the surface in a helpful way.

Less Translating, More Talking

When therapy happens in a second language, part of your attention goes to finding the right words. In your first language, you can focus on what you want to say.

Culture and Context

A clinician who shares or deeply understands your cultural background may more easily understand family expectations, generational differences, religious or community values, and the stigma that can surround mental health. This is described on the page about feeling caught between two cultures.

Families and Multilingual Households

Some families speak different languages across generations. Therapy in a parent's or grandparent's language can make it easier to involve family members when that is helpful.

Languages and Clinicians

At the time of writing, these languages were offered by the following clinicians:

• Punjabi, with conversational Hindi: Gurjot Chhina, who offers therapy and psychological assessment.
• Cantonese and Mandarin: Howard Wong, a licensed psychologist offering therapy and assessment.
• Urdu: Omer Mustufa, who offers individual therapy.

Some of our multilingual clinicians are supervised doctoral students, whose sessions are offered at a lower fee, as described on the page about how much therapy costs in BC.

Common Concerns People Bring

People come to therapy in their first language for the same reasons as anyone else, including anxiety, depression, relationship and family conflict, stress, grief, and trauma. Some also want support with experiences that are closely tied to culture and migration, such as adjusting to life in a new country, acculturation stress, intergenerational conflict, or worries about what family or community might think about seeking help.

Stigma and Privacy

In many communities, mental health is still a sensitive topic. Some people worry that others will find out they are in therapy. Therapy is confidential, with limited exceptions that your clinician will explain, as described on the page about whether therapy is confidential. Virtual sessions can offer additional privacy for people who prefer not to be seen at a clinic.

Assessments in Other Languages

Psychological assessments can include interviews and feedback in your preferred language. Some standardized tests are only available in English or have been developed mainly with English speakers, so your psychologist will discuss which measures are appropriate and how language and culture are taken into account when interpreting results.

How to Get Started

When you book, let us know which language you prefer. Our team can help match you with an available clinician and explain fees and scheduling. The page about what to expect in your first therapy session describes the first appointment.

Getting Support at Pacific Maple Psych Centre

If you would feel more comfortable talking about your mental health in Punjabi, Cantonese, Mandarin, or Urdu, we can help you connect with a clinician who speaks your language.