About Lior

It is never too late to grow!
“The point of power is always in the present moment.” -Louise L. Hay

I live and work on the unceded, traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.

Hello and welcome to my practice!

I am a trauma-informed psychotherapist with over 10 years’ experience, offering short- and long-term counselling services to diverse types of clients in both individual and couple settings. I am registered with the British Columbia College of Social Workers as a Registered Clinical Social Worker (#14250) in good standing and am a member of the BC Association of Social Workers. I hold a doctorate in clinical social work from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in clinical social work from New York University, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Temple University.

I have been working with youth, young adults, and adults on a range of psychological challenges while integrating numerous psychotherapeutic techniques. My guiding principle is that the therapeutic process is deeply personal and unique and, therefore, must be tailored to the particular concerns of each client to achieve their optimal psychological health and wellness. In my work, I focus on resilience, the ways humans can recreate connections, and growth-fostering relationships. I connect authentically with my clients and help them to recognize their uniqueness, develop self-confidence, and find a meaningful life role. Taking each client’s individual needs and challenges into consideration allows me to work with the client in designing their personalized treatment plan.

My counselling style is “active and direct” rather than “silent”, as I believe people can evaluate and choose the ideas that are useful for themselves. I am down to earth, empathetic, and caring, and have a holistic approach, looking at all aspects of your physical, emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual well-being. I am intuitive, nonjudgmental, do not criticize, and will always be supportive and encouraging as you navigate this journey to optimal wellness. My goal is for clients to feel that sessions are a sanctuary during their week. I aim to provide you with a safe space to explore your thoughts, behaviors, and feelings while maximizing your strengths, in order to help you find and embrace the best version of yourself.

Practicing from a multicultural perspective, my work is based in my belief that every person is of value, with the ability and right to achieve a satisfying and fulfilling life. I take a collaborative approach and I honor the importance of the therapeutic alliance in creating change in clients’ lives. With warmth, compassion, and empathy, I invite you to (re)discover your strengths, hopes, and dreams, and your true identity / self.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and cat, hiking in the beautiful province of BC, cooking (and lately baking!), and growing tropical plants from around the world.

What Is an RCSW?

Scope of Practice

I am a Registered Clinical Social Worker. The British Columbia College of Social Workers (BCCSW) offers two main classes of registration: The Registered Social Worker (RSW) and the Registered Clinical Social Worker (RCSW). Indeed, RCSW is a separate class of the registered social worker designation, which recognizes advanced psychotherapy practice skills, training, and supervision. By law, the term “clinical social worker” can only be used by those who have met the BCCSW’s rigorous requirements to register as a clinical social worker.

To qualify to become an RCSW, the following additional minimum requirements must be met:

Graduation with a Master of Social Work degree from an accredited and approved university;
Proof of course work in three areas of study: Human Development and Behaviour, Assessment and Diagnosis (DSM), and Psychotherapy and Clinical Practice;
Evidence of 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical social work experience;
Passing the comprehensive Association of Social Work Boards North American clinical exam.

This advanced designation, in turn, allows RCSWs to practice “clinical social work”, which means the application of Bylaw 42(1):

(a) social work knowledge and theories; and
(b) the independent use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association, in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders and conditions, for the sole purpose of providing advanced intervention to enhance personal, interpersonal and social functioning.¹
¹BC College of Social Workers, Bylaws (Vancouver: BC College of Social Workers, 2013), p. 17

In BC, clinical social workers identify themselves by placing “Registered Clinical Social Worker” (or “RCSW”) after their name.

Current and Previous Employment Experience

QMUNITY. BC’s Queer, Trans, and Two-Spirit Resource Center
Clinical Supervisor (from 2020 till current): Providing clinical supervision to QMUNITY’s counselling psychology and master’s of social work practicum students and fee-for-service counsellors.

Vancouver Coastal Health. Three Bridges, Primary Care, and Trans Specialty Care Clinics
Provided clinical social work and psychotherapy services.

Telecare Corp, California
Team Leader: Community-based mental health services.