meet your therapist

Hi! My name is Leifennie (she/her). It is pronounced as /'lāfənē/.


I am a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (#11248869) and a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (#21876).

I am also a parent to a vibrant young child. While deeply meaningful, this role has been shining a light on aspects of myself that require attention and nurturing. Navigating parenthood encourages me to confront my vulnerabilities with curiosity and approach self-discovery with compassion. It's humbling to realize that while I aim to be a pillar of strength and guidance for my child, I am also on a continuous journey of learning and growth alongside them. Parenthood has enriched my understanding of unconditional love and reinforced the value of loving kindness. It inspires me to cultivate a nurturing environment where both my child and my clients feel cherished, supported, and empowered to explore their full potential.

I have been privileged to travel and live in a variety of international contexts. I spent a significant part of my upbringing in Malaysia and Indonesia, and each experience instilled in me a deep appreciation for different cultures and broadened my perspectives. I continue to learn to appreciate and embrace my Chinese and Southeast Asian heritage.

Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, my professional journey was woven into the dynamic fabric of the film industry. I was involved both in front of and behind the camera, where creativity, storytelling, and human experience became my passion. The film industry allowed me to express myself artistically while connecting with diverse narratives that resonated across borders.

My therapeutic style focuses on equipping you with the skills to feel anchored in your own capability to self-lead so you can increase your capacity to connect with the different parts of you. To achieve this, I integrate and draw from various therapeutic modalities such as mindfulness-based therapy, somatic therapy, Internal Family Systems, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Imago Relationship Therapy, and Gottman Method Couples Therapy. I aim to maintain an affirming, inclusive, and supportive practice that embraces people of all genders, sexual orientations, neurodiversity, backgrounds, ethnicities, and religious beliefs. I deeply respect and honor your intersectionality.


"I would like my life to be a statement of love and compassion — and where it isn't,
that's where my work lies."

— RAM DASS

loving kindness.

curiosity.

compassion.

connection.

collaboration.

warmth.

loving kindness. curiosity. compassion. connection. collaboration. warmth.

I’m human too.


I, too, have my struggles. I have a profound appreciation for the complexities and challenges of being human. My journey of growth and gratitude toward my community fuels my passion for inspiring others to navigate the human experience with loving kindness, curiosity, compassion, connection, collaboration, and warmth. It has also ignited my commitment to advocating for others and actively challenging harmful capitalist systems. I make it a goal to move beyond dichotomous thinking and embrace diverse perspectives. These questions guide my therapeutic philosophy: How do I want to participate in the counselling field without pathologizing people’s adaptive and resilient reactions to the dysfunctional world that we live in? How do I bridge individual and collective healing? What actions can I take to effect systemic change? How can I expand my knowledge and integrate this passion into my work?

Leifennie Counsellor Therapist Sonder Therapy Lounge BIPOC trauma responsive culturally

i believe

in creating safe spaces.

The world has made it unsafe for us to express ourselves fully, make mistakes, take accountability for those mistakes, say no or yes, love out loud, and be in our bodies. It makes sense for us to create perimeters of comfort which serve to protect us from perceived further harm and from living in alignment with our values. My role is to create a safe space for you to explore your experiences and discover your unique path towards wellness and wholeness. I strive to embody a compassionate, supportive, curious, non-judgmental, culturally and trauma-responsive loving presence in order to co-create a safe container for our work together.

i believe

in interdependence and in the interconnectedness of all beings and things.

As Harville Hendrix and Helen Hunt said, “We are born in relationship, live in relationship, suffer in relationship, and are transformed in relationship.” My intention is to facilitate your development of awareness and ability to be intentional and consistent in making the series of choices to restore a loving and compassionate relationship with yourself, others, and your environment. 

i believe

you are the author of your story.

Too often, we find ourselves swept into storylines that aren't truly ours—society's expectations, norms, and rules which overshadow our authenticity and inner fulfillment. My aim is to support you to distinguish which narratives are and aren’t authentically yours. This is so you can align your life with your genuine values. This journey isn't about conforming to anyone else's expectations; it's about embracing your uniqueness and living in alignment with your deepest truths. Let's write a story that resonates with your soul in your own words and on your own terms.

  • Master’s in Counselling from City University of Seattle (Canada)

  • Completed training in Certified Shame-Informed Treatment Specialist Training

  • Completed training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1

  • Completed training in Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy

  • Completed training in Foundations in Narrative Therapy

EDUCATION, CREDENTIALS, & CERTIFICATION

I strive to continuously expand my knowledge and seek supervision to ensure I am providing the best possible support and guidance.