About me:
Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, Play therapist
I immigrated to New Zealand as a teenager. I have over 13 years of clinical experience in private practice settings in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Auckland. My extensive work has focused on supporting children with attachment issues, emotional and behavioral difficulties, social struggles, and trauma.
My holistic approach integrates psychodynamic psychotherapy, mentalization, and intersubjectivity with therapeutic storytelling, trauma-informed expressive art, and Jungian sand play to fit the diverse needs of my clients and their families. I have extensive experience and a deep understanding of the bi-cultural context of New Zealand, especially of traditional Asian families and parenting dynamics. It is a priority for me to ensure that all my clients feel understood and respected. I have worked in a variety of settings, from kindergartens, schools, and colleges to special education and agencies supporting children and adolescents suffering from trauma and neglect due to family violence.
My areas of interest include working with:
- Abuse
- Trauma
- Insecure attachment
- Grief and loss
- Suffering from parental expectations, conflicts, and family issues
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Development of ego or sense of self
- Transition to puberty/young adulthood
- Vulnerable/broken inner child
Professional Qualifications
- Master of Psychotherapy (NZ)
- GradDipPsychotherapyStudies (NZ)
- PostgradDipPlayTherapy (UK)
- BCom / MCom(Hons) (NZ)
Memberships to Professional Colleges/Boards
- Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand (PBANZ)
- New Zealand Association of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists (NZACAP)
Languages
- English
- Cantonese
- Mandarin
Services
- Child and adolescent psychotherapy
- Play therapy
- Jungian sandplay
- Parent interview and developmental history assessment
- 6-10 therapeutic sessions, depending on therapeutic needs and goals
- 50 minutes per session
- Review feedback with parents
If you feel you or your child would benefit from my services, please contact me.
By appointment only.
Teenager (age: 18)
Service used:Â Mmtic Psychological Type Assessment, Adolescence counseling
I started out my therapy wanting to seek channel to relieve stress and tackle self-blame. Vivian accompanied and assisted me in puting my thoughts into words until I could put things into perspective. I needed not to worry about my difficulties in expressing verbally as I could do things with my hands rather than talking. Under the psychological safe environment, I was able to figure out some of my irrational beliefs that had rooted in my mind since childhood. The therapy and the follow-up practices had permitted me much deeper understanding of myself, and a little more self-acceptance. Overall, it had been a nice experience and a great joruney to know more about myself.
Mother of child (age: 8)
Service used: Play Therapy since 4, Mmtic Psychological Type Assessment
My girl went to Vivian when she was 4.  Vivian gave a lot of angles and thinking of my girl which I didn’t realize (some were surprised).  She helps me to know a lot on the problem behind to understand the child and gave her view to change my mindset.  Most important, my girl gradually turn to be more positive and coming out from the dark side.  Vivian is so professional and treat people with kind and positive mind.  My girl is now 8 and became steady.
Mother of child (age: 10)
Service used: Play Therapy since 4, Mmtic Psychological Type Assessment, MBTI for both parents
My son joined the play therapy of Vivian when he was four in 2012 till now.
He likes Vivian so much that when she had time back to Hong Kong, he would ask me to arrange time to see her. He liked all what she prepared for him and listened to her. He did improved a lot. Vivian always gave my husband and me the constructive advices  and we could find her in any times we need her. She is so kind and really helps us a lot. We are still waiting for her next time back to Hong Kong.
Father of children (age: 12), (age: 10)
Service used: Play Therapy, Mmtic Psychological Type Assessment, MBTI for both parents
My heartfelt words to Vivian:
Tackling kid’s emotional problems & complexities were daunting tasks for me and my wife.  Fortunately, we met Vivian 8 years ago and blessed that her reliable service and professional advice guide us and my kids to the right track which make life easier.  Thanks Vivian!
Mother of child (age: 12)
Service used: Play Therapy since 2016, Mmtic Psychological Type Assessment
Your patience and professional service make me understand my daughter more, eventually get through all the things. You can see my daughter’s personality and potential that really help to find the suitable study place. She becomes a confident and happy girl! Thanks so much – Vivian.
Father of child (age: 9)
Service used: Mmtic Psychological Type Assessment, MBTI for parent
I found MMTIC to be extremely useful.  My son underwent a MMTIC assessment performed by Vivian back in April 2014, when he was 4 years old.  I must say Vivian is very professional and caring, treating every child as unique individual.  Through the assessment result, I was immediately able to identify my son’s character, in terms of both strengths and areas for improvement.  I relied heavily on it and managed to select the right elementary school for him.  My son is going to turn 9 years old soon, and I am proud to say he’s now a happy P.3 student.  Therefore, I think highly of both MMTIC and Vivian, and am willing to vow for her if required.
Mother (age: 14) (age: 11)
Service used: Mmtic Psychological Type Assessment, Directive Play Therapy and adolescence counseling
My daughters and I have been seeing Vivian since my eldest daughter was eight, and I have really seen lots of positive changes since then. After a few sessions, my eldest daughter began to open up again after not being able to talk and being very shy for a few years. Vivian has also been counselling my younger daughter for a few months this year, when she started becoming sad for a long period of time. However, after talking and counselling with Vivian, my younger daughter started to become happier again and showed large improvement in her moods. Overall, I think that Vivian’s therapy and counselling was  extremely beneficial to my family and I have taken a lot of her advice about allowing my daughters circumstances to be more confident and happy.
