Meet Our Therapists
We’re Here to Support Your Journey
Meet Our Team
At A Glance
Total Lives Transformed
Years of Combined experience
Hours of clinical practice
Nicole Che
Registered Clinical Counsellor #20915
Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or lost in your relationships or life transitions? Do you struggle with anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges? If so, Nicole can help.
Nicole is a highly trained and experienced therapist with a unique background in both clinical medicine and psychotherapy. This allows her to offer a truly integrated approach to therapy that combines the best of both worlds.
Her areas of focus include relationships, life transitions, and grief and loss. She is passionate about helping clients reconnect with themselves and find meaningful connections with others during times of hardship. Her compassionate and non-judgmental approach creates a safe space for clients to embrace their vulnerability and work towards emotional fitness.
Nicole has experience working with individuals, couples, and families struggling with a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, eating disorders, suicide, OCD, grief and loss, relationship issues, self-love, complex PTSD/trauma, and personality disorders.
Her areas of focus include relationships, life transitions, and grief and loss. She is passionate about helping clients reconnect with themselves and find meaningful connections with others during times of hardship. Her compassionate and non-judgmental approach creates a safe space for clients to embrace their vulnerability and work towards emotional fitness.
Nicole has experience working with individuals, couples, and families struggling with a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, eating disorders, suicide, OCD, grief and loss, relationship issues, self-love, complex PTSD/trauma, and personality disorders.
Nicole Che
Co-Clinical Director, Registered Clinical Counsellor #20915
Specialities: anxiety, ADHD, depression, disordered eating, grief, life transitions, OCD, personality disorders, PTSD, relationships, suicide, self-growth, shame, stress, trauma
Dr. Rosemary Rukavina
Registered Psychologist #2775
Dr. Rukavina’s passion about therapy is in the opportunity it allows people to redefine how they want to be in their relationships and in the world. Throughout therapy, clients develop insights into their behaviours and leave empowered to live more fulfilling, productive lives.
Pronouns: She/Her
Dr. Rosemary Rukavina is a Registered Psychologist and holds a Doctor of Clinical Psychology and Master of Counselling degree.
Over the past 10 years, Dr. Rukavina has worked in various public and private health care settings including, corrections, child and youth mental health, and family services. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Rukavina is adjunct faculty for masters and doctoral programs in clinical psychology and counselling.
Dr. Rukavina offers in-person and virtual therapy sessions. She welcomes people of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and spiritual or religious persuasions.
At the end of therapy, Dr. Rukavina’s clients are better able to cope with life stress, feel less burdened by their past, have closer relationships, and have an improved self-understanding. Couples leave with deepened intimacy, restored trust, and an ability to manage conflict.
Since 2011, Dr. Rukavina has provided therapeutic services to youth 16+, adults, couples, and groups in the areas of anxiety, depression, trauma, addictions, sleep disturbance, stress management and major life transitions. She also assists couples dealing with infertility, sexual desire discrepancies, communication, and parenting issues.
Research supports that success in therapy comes from having a trusting relationship with your therapist. Therefore, Dr. Rukavina’s primary focus is for her clients to feel respected, supported, and hopeful about their healing. She does this through the intentional questions she asks and the comprehensive knowledge she shares. She then focuses on providing timely and effective care to her clients and their families.
As no individual or relationship is alike, Dr. Rukavina tailors her practice to the needs of her clients. She only uses treatment modalities that are based on scientific evidence to help her clients get the long-lasting changes they seek.
Dr. Rosemary Rukavina
Registered Psychologist #2775
Specialities: addictions, anxiety disorders (general anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, obsessions & compulsions, PTSD),communication & conflict resolution, depressive disorders, grief, infertility, insomnia, life transitions, parenting, self-growth, sex, stress, relationships, complex trauma
Chris Tse
Registered Clinical Counsellor
For over 15 years, Chris has walked alongside people just like you on their journey toward positive change, creating a warm and accepting space where your story matters.
Chris specializes in the areas of trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, and mediation. He works with individuals (ages 12+), couples, and families.
He is highly experienced and has advanced training in mediation, school counselling and couples work.
His therapy room is a judgment-free zone where you can feel safe to explore your thoughts and feelings at your own pace. Together, you’ll uncover your inner strengths and develop practical tools to help you thrive, not just survive.
When you step into Chris’s office (He/Him), you’ll meet a therapist who brings together professional expertise with genuine human connection. As a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master’s in Counselling Psychology, Chris offers the perfect blend of formal training and real-world understanding that makes lasting change possible.
Throughout his 15-year journey supporting individuals and families, Chris has developed a deep appreciation for the unique challenges faced by individuals, couples, and families.
His diverse experience spans serving with the Vancouver School District, BC School Counsellors Association, and MediateBC. Blended with this is his training in crisis management, trauma, and violence prevention.
What sets Chris apart is his ability to create a space where empathy and respect naturally flourish. His clients often share how this environment of trust helps them open up to new possibilities for growth and healing.
Whether you’re a teen navigating life’s challenges, an adult seeking personal growth, or a couple working to strengthen your relationship, Chris combines compassionate understanding with practical strategies to help you create meaningful, lasting changes in your life and relationships.
Chris offers a safe space for your journey. Working with clients (ages 12+), couples, and families, he understands that each client’s path to healing is unique and deserves personalized attention.
His areas of expertise include grief, depression, anxiety, trauma, suicide, self-esteem, relationship issues, family dynamics, and adolescent struggles.
He offer evidence-based solutions including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement De-Sensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Gestalt Therapy, Existential Therapy and Person-Centred Therapy.
Whatever brings you to therapy, you’ll find in Chris someone who not only understands your challenges professionally but approaches them with deep compassion and care. His approach is always tailored to your specific needs, helping you find your way forward with support that feels right for you.
Chris Tse
Registered Clinical Counsellor
anger, anxiety, depression, communication & conflict resolution, family discord, depression, grief, life transitions, relationships, self-growth, shame, stress, trauma
Albert Kwok
Registered Clinical Counsellor #1734
Leah is known as a trusted guide who helps clients feel safe and comfortable in exploring their presenting challenges. Her care is based on empathy, patience, and non-judgment, yet at the same time, being able to challenge clients to reach their goals.
Pronouns: He/Him
Albert holds a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor. He has over 10 years’ experience working with youth and families in the education system.
Clients often get stuck when they experience anxiety or confront challenges in life. With empathy and care, Albert listens to their presenting concerns and offers insight and reflection to clients’ thoughts and emotions.
To accommodate the demands of clients’ busy lives with family and work, Albert offers evening and weekend appointments, along with virtual counselling.
Albert supports adolescents and their families in their struggles and helps them reach their goals. He also works with individuals 15 years and older in the areas of depression, anxiety, stress, relationship difficulties, and grief.
Albert Kwok
Registered Clinical Counsellor #1734
Specialities: anxiety, communication & conflict resolution, family discord, depression, grief, self-growth, shame, stress, relationships
Leah (Yaxun) Liu
Registered Clinical Counsellor #17641
Leah is known as a trusted guide who helps clients feel safe and comfortable in exploring their presenting challenges. Her care is based on empathy, patience, and non-judgment, yet at the same time, being able to challenge clients to reach their goals.
Pronouns: She/Her
Leah holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology degree. She offers counselling in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. Leah has vast experience working with individuals (15 years and older), couples, and families.
Leah’s diverse clinical background includes work in the university setting, Ministry for Child and Family Development, and Vancouver Coastal Health. She facilitates parenting support groups in Mandarin and Cantonese and has provided workshops for university students and the Vancouver School Board.
Leah has an acute way of providing new perspectives, insights, and practical solutions. She collaboratively works with clients to “become their own therapist”.
Her areas of focus include depression, anxiety, mood disorder, stress management, immigration adjustments and settlement, relationship issues with couples and families, trauma, self-esteem, self-growth, student studies, and career development.
Leah’s therapy is grounded in evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Cognitive Information Processing Therapy (CIPT), Trauma-Informed Practice, Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR).
Leah Liu
Co-Clinical Director, Registered Clinical Counsellor #17641
Specialities: anxiety, depression, career development, communication & conflict resolution, family discord, depression, grief, immigration adjustments and settlement, life transitions, relationships, self-growth, shame, stress, student studies, trauma
Dr. Michael Mandrusiak
Registered Psychologist #1803
In his clinical practice, Dr. Mandrusiak’s first goal is to create a safe, comfortable space and to provide a trustworthy and supportive presence to his clients. He cultivates a therapeutic experience that builds clients’ confidence and supports them in achieving their goals.
Pronouns: He/Him
Dr. Michael Mandrusiak is a Registered Psychologist and holds a Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree. As a psychologist in B.C. since 2008, Dr. Mandrusiak has had extensive clinical experience working with adolescent and adult clients.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Mandrusiak has held past roles as Faculty and Director of Clinical Training for masters and doctoral programs in psychology. He also served as Clinical Director at a well-established counselling practice and, more recently, held the position of Managing Director for Counselling, Student Health and Accessibility Services at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).
Areas of practice include stress management, anxiety related disorders (social anxiety, panic attacks, phobias), depressive disorders, obsessions and compulsions, trauma, grief and loss, pain management, relationship, interpersonal conflict resolution, and career challenges. Dr. Mandrusiak is also known for his exceptional work in the areas of self-growth and development and institutional leadership.
Dr. Mandrusiak skillfully draws from a range of effective, evidence-based treatment modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Clinical Hypnosis, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Dr. Michael Mandrusiak
Registered Psychologist #1803
Specialities: anxiety disorders (general anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, obsessions & compulsions, PTSD), career, communication & conflict resolution, depressive disorders, grief, institutional leadership, pain management, self-growth, stress, relationships, complex trauma
Dr. Alessandro Metta
Doctoral Clinician
Dr. Alessandro Metta has Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology. He also has a Bachelor of Law degree. Dr. Metta works with individuals 19 years and older and provides services in Italian and English.
Dr. Metta is an applicant for registration with the College of Psychologists of British Columbia and is working under the direct supervision of Dr. Gloria Lee at Brentwood Counselling Centre.
He completed his pre-doctoral residency with First Nations communities in Northern Ontario focusing on the psychological assessment and treatment of complex trauma in adults. He has also worked in various public and private health care and outpatient settings including Child and Youth Mental Health and Fraser Health Authority.
Dr. Metta’s approach to therapy is direct yet compassionate. He thoughtfully customizes a treatment plan for each client, based on their individual needs. With a passion for neuropsychology and understanding of the human mind, Dr. Metta helps clients appreciate how their lived experiences have influenced their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. In particular, he supports clients to shift unhealthy and self-sabotaging patterns into adaptive and flourishing life choices.
Dr. Metta carefully navigates clients’ complex emotions to help them overcome challenges and achieve their best life. He provides a safe and supportive environment to foster self-exploration and growth. His areas of focus include working with shame, self-esteem, grief, and loss. Additionally, he has extensive experience with depression, anxiety, complex trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The modalities Dr. Metta draws from include evidence-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and integrative/experiential approaches.
Dr. Alessandro Metta
Doctoral Clinician
Specialities: addictions, anxiety disorders (general anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, obsessions & compulsions, PTSD),communication & conflict resolution, depressive disorders, grief, self-growth, shame, stress, relationships, complex trauma
Our team's credentials include:
- Registered Psychologists with the College of Psychologists of British Columbia
- Registered Clinical Counsellors with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
- Doctoral and Master's degrees in Clinical Psychology and Counselling
- Ongoing specialized training in evidence-based therapeutic approaches
At Brentwood, we believe in giving back to our community
We regularly participate in:
Offering free relationship and mental health workshops
programs
Professional development seminars for local therapists
At Brentwood, we specialize in two core areas of relational therapy:
What we stand for at Brentwood and what we expect from our therapists.