Meet the Team
Registered Social Worker with OCSWSSW
Psychotherapist
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
Language: Mandarin & EnglishZhirui (Rae) Zhao
Hi, I’m Zhirui! But if you’re staring at my name thinking, “Oh no, I don’t want to mess this up!”—don’t worry, you can call me Rae!
As a therapist, I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach—because let’s be real, life is way too layered and nuanced for that. Instead, I work with a flexible, integrative toolkit drawn from evidence-based modalities like CBT, DBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), trauma-informed care, person-centered therapy, and narrative therapy. Think of it as trying on different lenses until we find the one that helps you see your inner world with more clarity, compassion, and choice.
Therapy with me is collaborative, grounded, and deeply attuned to your pace and needs. Whether we’re sitting with difficult emotions, unblending protective parts, or anchoring into your core values, we’ll navigate your inner landscape together—one step, one insight at a time.
As a certified personal trainer (NASM), I also integrate fitness and movement into the therapeutic process when it supports your goals. I believe the body holds stories just like the mind does—and sometimes, strength training, mindful movement, or somatic awareness can become powerful tools for healing, empowerment, and reconnection. Together, we can work toward not only feeling better, but feeling stronger—from the inside out.
Krishe Kugan
BSc MSW RSWRegistered Social Worker with OCSWSSWPsycholotherapistLanguage: Tamil & English
Hi, I’m Krishe. I’m glad you’re here and if you’re feeling a little unsure about starting therapy, you’re not alone. My goal is to make this space feel welcoming, supportive, and grounded from the very first conversation.
I work with individuals navigating eating disorders, including mild to moderate anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Using Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT-E), an evidence-based approach, I help clients develop more balanced and compassionate relationships with food, their bodies, and their emotions, while gently addressing the thought patterns that contribute to disordered eating.
I also support individuals within the bariatric community, offering psychoeducation and counselling around the emotional and psychological adjustments that often accompany significant body changes. This work is centred on sustainable progress, self-compassion, and empowerment.
In addition to eating- and body-related concerns, I work with clients experiencing emotional regulation challenges, anxiety, depression, relationship stress, caregiver burnout, and major life transitions. My approach is collaborative, strength-based, and trauma-informed, drawing from CBT and DBT strategies to support emotional regulation, resilience, and healthier relationships.
At the heart of my work is a belief in the importance of connection—to yourself, your body, and your community. I see therapy as a collaborative and supportive process, where healing unfolds at a pace that feels right for you and leads to meaningful, lasting change.