ABOUT TALA
A name with meaning.
Tala is the Filipino word for star. Stars have always been used to navigate, not to change your circumstances, but to point you toward where you need to go. That's what this practice is built on.
Tala is grounded in a deep understanding of the way background, culture, and lived experience shape how we see ourselves and the world around us.
Whether you're in the middle of something hard, something uncertain, or something you can't quite name yet, Tala is a space to make sense of it. You come as you are, and together we work toward a deeper understanding of yourself.
We offer in‑person sessions in Vancouver and virtual therapy across British Columbia. Sessions are available in English and Tagalog.
Meet Raymond
I'm Raymond (he/him), a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and the founder of Tala Counselling. I was born and raised in Manila, Philippines, and immigrated to Canada in 2009. As an immigrant, I have firsthand experience with the challenges of cultural adjustment, identity, and belonging. That journey deepened my appreciation for the courage it takes to do the internal work of growth and self-exploration, and the ways our lived experiences shape who we are.
From an early age I developed a keen awareness of the people around me. I was curious about their lived experiences, the narratives they had formed about themselves, and the beliefs and patterns those narratives shaped. That curiosity eventually led me to a career as a paralegal, where I spent nearly a decade working in high-stress environments. That experience was personal. I wasn't just supporting others through hardship; I was navigating it myself and feeling firsthand the impact that prolonged stress can have on your mental health.
That combination, my curiosity about people and my own lived experience of pressure and performance, is what shapes my work today. I'm especially drawn to supporting adult children of immigrant families navigating identity and belonging, and men building a stronger relationship with their emotions, work that often means tracing the root of those patterns and beliefs, and how they're showing up in their present experiences. It's what led me to counselling, where I could offer genuine guidance and support.
Outside of the therapy room, I can be found traveling to new places, playing guitar, picking up a racquet, getting lost in a good book, or deep into a video game. I believe that rest, play, and curiosity are just as important as the work we do on ourselves.
WHAT WE VALUE
How we show up for you.
Trauma‑Informed
You are the expert of your own lived experiences. We understand that many patterns and challenges can be rooted in past experiences, and we approach every session gently, carefully, and without judgment.
Context always matters.
Your identity, background, and lived experience shape your mental health deeply. We go deep into understanding the systems you navigate.
Your pace. Your story.
Therapy at Tala is collaborative. I am here to walk alongside you through this process, and your feedback is always welcome so we can tailor our approach to what works best for you.
Evidence‑based. Person‑centred. Adaptable.
OUR APPROACH
No single approach fits every person. Grounded in person-centred principles, Tala takes a Narrative Therapy approach, while drawing from a range of other evidence-based modalities depending on what works best for you.
ACCEPTANCE & COMMITMENT THERAPY (ACT)
COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT)
NARRATIVE THERAPY
EMOTION-FOCUSED THERAPY (EFT)
INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS (IFS)
PERSON-CENTRED THERAPY
WHO WE WORK WITH
You’re welcome here.
Who
Adults, individuals and couples, particularly those navigating immigrant identity, high achievement pressure, or burnout. Also welcoming members of the LGBTQ+ community and those from BIPOC backgrounds.
What We Work On
Immigrant identity and cultural adjustment, men's mental health and emotion regulation, burnout and self worth, life transitions, and relationship challenges.
Languages
Sessions are available in English and Tagalog.