Alula Counselling

About Us
Alula Counselling and Wellness offers expert, culturally sensitive counselling that empowers children and youth (10+), adults, and families, online and in the GTA. We believe that seeking help is a courageous step. Let us help you navigate life's challenges, uncover your innate strengths, and build fulfilling lives.
Our practice is dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive space where you can heal and grow.
Our Core Committment
The Meaning Behind "Alula"
Cultural Safety is Our Foundation
We create a secure, non-judgmental space grounded in cultural humility and deep empathy. We listen closely to your unique life journey.
Expert Care, Your Pace
We provide personalized and professional support to help you find stability, reclaim your narrative, and develop lasting resilience
—all at your own pace.
Actionable Tools for Resilience
Our focus is on empowerment. We move beyond insight to create practical, evidence-based therapeutic models that drive tangible results.
Metaphor: The alula is a small, vital structure on a bird's wing that ensures stable flight during turbulence.
Our mission is to be the supportive structure—your "alula"—needed to find balance amidst life’s storms.
The Story Behind "Alula"
A personal commitment forged my path to becoming a Social Worker:
supporting my younger sister through crisis and her Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis. Dealing with these issues within a traditional Chinese background highlighted the unique pressures of family expectation and the need for culturally sensitive support.
Today, I am a proud Registered Social Worker, while she is a passionate environmental conservationist and bird expert. Her lived experience, wisdom and resilience are the invaluable cornerstone of my practice. This foundation grants me an authentic understanding of clients struggling with neurodivergence, suicidal ideation, cross-generational conflicts and intense cultural pressures.

From Personal Journey to Professional Purpose
Meet Cherie (Hoi Yee) Mak, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker
Life's challenges—whether it's overwhelming stress,
The pressure of high expectations, or painful family and peer conflicts, can leave you feeling isolated and unsure of your next step.
You don't have to carry that weight alone. I am here to support you in transiting from crisis and confusion to clarity and resilience.
With over 10 years of international clinical experience and mental health advocacy, my practice is grounded in cultural humility, empathy, and collaboration. I offer a safe, non-judgmental space where you feel secure in exploring your story, challenges, and goals.

Education
Specialities
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Master of Social Work
– The Chinese University of Hong Kong
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Bachelor of Social Work
– The Hong Kong Baptist University
Languages
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Adolescents and Youth (Ages 10+)
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Anxiety, Stress, and Depression
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Self-Harm and Suicidal Ideation
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Peer and Interpersonal Relationships
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Parenting Challenges
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Neurodivergent Support (ASD, ADHD)
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Life Transitions
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Self-Image
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English
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Cantonese
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Mandarin
Approaches
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
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Narrative Therapy
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Person-Centred Therapy
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Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Our Services
Individual Therapy: Adults and Young Adults
Are you weighed down by persistent anxiety, depressed mood, or the pressure of high expectations?
Therapy is your protected space to unpack your heavy burden. We specialize in:
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Anxiety & Stress
Overwhelming worry, academic pressure, career uncertainty, and generalized anxiety
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Depression & Low Mood
Feeling stuck, unmotivated, hopeless, or withdrawn
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Self-Image & Life Transitions
Struggles with self-worth, identity, relationship issues, or significant life changes
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Neurodiversity Support (ASD/ADHD)
Managing daily executive functioning challenges, emotional regulation, and social dynamics
Teen & Adolescent Counselling (Ages 10+)
The teen years are turbulent. When conflict, anxiety, or withdrawal make your home volatile,
we provide a safe, non-judgmental space for youth to explore their struggles and find their voice.
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Peer & School Pressure
Social anxiety, bullying, feeling disconnected, or overwhelmed by academic demands
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Self-Harm & Suicidal Ideation
Providing immediate, non-judgmental, specialized intervention and risk management
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Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
Helping teens understand their emotions and build healthy regulation skills
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Parent-Child Conflict
Addressing tension, defiance, and breakdown in communication
Family Therapy & Parenting Support
When one person struggles, the whole family feels it. We work with the entire family system to address communication breakdowns and conflict. We help you establish stability and build stronger, more empathetic connections.
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Family Communication
Learn new ways to express feelings, resolve conflicts, and truly listen to one another
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Navigating Transitions
Support families through changes like immigration, separation, or adapting to a diagnosis
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Targeted Parenting Skills
Gain practical strategies for effectively supporting children and youth who are struggling with mood, neurodiversity (ASD/ADHD), or other behavioural issues
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Culturally Sensitive Mediation
Addressing tension and misunderstanding related to cultural and family values with deep empathy and cultural humility
Workshops, Talks, and Professional Development
Alula offers engaging, evidence-based workshops tailored for schools, community groups, and corporate teams.
Our presentations are interactive, informative and focus on delivering actionable tools to your audience.
For bookings, please contact us directly via email at admin@alulacounselling.ca.
Sample Topics:
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Crisis Ready: Suicide Prevention and Mental Health First Aid
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Youth Resilience: Digital Safety, Peer Pressure, Communication
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Wellness: Self-Care, Emotional Regulation and Stress Management
Frequently asked questions
Get in Touch
For inquiries, appointments, or to learn more about our counselling and wellness services:
Contact Us
Call or Text:
Email:
Business hours:
Weekdays:
Weekends:
By appointments only
Free Phone Consultation
We offer a 15-minute consultation for you to see if you feel comfortable moving forward
and whether we are the right fit
to support your journey.

