Lei Zhao – Registered Psychologist, Edmonton
About Lei Zhao, M.Ed., M.A.
- Certified in CBT for Insomnia (Dr. Jacobs Program)Certified in
- Gottman Method of Relationship Therapy
- Certified EMDR therapist
- Certified ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy) therapist
Change can feel uncomfortable, but it is often where real growth begins. I understand how complex daily life can be, and I take a holistic, systems-based approach to help you work through the challenges you are facing. My work is grounded in evidence-based practice, trauma-informed care, and cultural awareness, while also considering the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors that shape your experience.
I aim to be a grounded and attentive listener, supporting you in making meaningful changes that align with your goals and values. Creating a space that feels safe, respectful, and welcoming is central to how I work, and I place strong importance on the therapeutic relationship as a foundation for change and healing.
Areas You May Be Struggling With
- Do you feel a persistent "cloud" or a lack of motivation that makes even simple tasks feel like a mountain?
- Are you finding it difficult to manage your "inner critic," constantly feeling like you aren’t good enough?
- Do you struggle with big life transitions, like a new career, a move, or a change in your family dynamics?
- Are you relying on habits like overeating, scrolling, or substances to numb out or "get through" the day?
- Are you carrying the weight of "perfectionism," feeling paralyzed by the fear of making a mistake?
- Do you find yourself avoiding certain places, people, or activities because they feel too emotionally "risky"?
- Do you feel disconnected from your sense of purpose, wondering if you’re just "going through the motions"?
- Are you experiencing "compassion fatigue" or burnout from caring for everyone else but yourself?
- Do you feel a growing distance between you and your partner, even when you’re in the same room?
Who Do I Help? Am I the Right
Therapist for You?
Feeling comfortable and at ease with the person you are working with can make a real difference in how helpful therapy feels. Every therapist has a unique style, and the relationship we build together often matters just as much as the tools or techniques used. Taking a moment to consider whether working with me feels like the right fit is worthwhile.
My ideal client, whether an adult managing life’s demands or an adolescent finding their footing, is someone who is running low on energy, struggling with the invisible weight of anxiety, depression, overthinking, or feeling constantly overwhelmed. You may notice that your mind rarely stops, planning the next step or replaying past mistakes, while your body feels heavy and depleted. You might place a high value on achievement in work, school, or social life, and feel guilty whenever you try to slow down. You want to move from surviving life like a checklist to actually having the space to breathe.
I understand what it feels like to want to show up one way and feel something completely different inside. You may find yourself reacting more strongly than you would like, whether it is a sudden flash of anger or a wave of panic that comes out of nowhere. It can feel like an internal struggle that nobody else sees, and you are tired of just holding it together.
I take a holistic approach that honours the complexity of your experience. When we look at the whole picture of your life, including your physical health, relationships, cultural roots, values, and spiritual dimensions, the path forward often becomes much clearer. I work as a dedicated partner alongside you, drawing from a toolbox of evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and The Gottman Method, a structured approach to couples therapy focused on communication, conflict resolution, and relationship connection. Together, we focus on building practical skills and helping you feel more confident, grounded, and in control of your life.
You may be ready to try a new way of thinking, not because something is wrong with you, but because the old ways of coping no longer serve the person you are becoming. You are ready to take a breath, explore what you want to change, and find a path that does not feel like another list of tasks. You want support in creating a way forward that feels manageable, meaningful, and aligned with who you truly are. If that resonates with you, we might be a good fit to work through this together.
We May Not Be a Good Fit If:
You are not yet ready to engage in the therapeutic process. Therapy is a collaborative space and works best when there is some readiness to explore your inner world. If sessions feel like something you are being pressured into, I may not be the right fit for you at this time.
You are looking for support for a child. My practice focuses on adolescents and adults. If you are seeking therapy for a younger child or play-based services, I would be happy to help guide you toward a colleague who specializes in that area.
You require in-person sessions. To provide accessible care while maintaining consistency, I offer virtual sessions only, with availability on weekend evenings and Saturday mornings. If you are looking for in-person appointments or weekday availability, I may not be the best fit for your needs.
Your main goal is a formal assessment or diagnosis. While we will always explore what you are experiencing in depth, my focus is on the therapeutic process and supporting meaningful change over time. I do not provide formal diagnostic reports, standardized assessments, or legal evaluations.
Who Am I as a Person?
I understand what it is like to live by the constant inner rule of “I have to do better, I have to be better.” From the outside, life can look organized or successful, while internally it feels exhausting, disconnected, or heavy.
I also understand what it can feel like to be a hamster on a wheel, being caught in constant “go, go, go” momentum, where meaning and direction become hard to find. It can feel like you’re functioning in many life roles, yet not experiencing yourself as a person who is truly living. Slowing down or knowing where to start can feel impossible, but over time, it can become a process of shifting out of that state and into a place where connection, joy, and a sense of purpose and contentment can gradually return.
From my own experience, I have learned that healthy relationships do not happen by accident. They require honesty, vulnerability, and the willingness to be seen, even in the parts of ourselves we usually hide. That kind of openness can feel uncomfortable, but it is often where a deeper connection begins.
I value a growth mindset. Thinking about making changes can be stressful, and we naturally tend to avoid discomfort. However, discomfort, stress, and anxiety are often necessary parts of growth. Being honest about this and accepting these experiences as part of the process is often the first step toward where we want to be.
This perspective shapes how I work as a therapist. I am not observing from a distance. I am alongside you in the process, supporting you in making sense of your experiences, building self-understanding, and moving toward a way of living that feels more grounded, authentic, and aligned with what matters most to you.
How Do I Help? My Therapy Style and What You Can Expect.
In the therapy room, I aim to be your most grounded partner. But I want to be real with you: I’m not a robot. I’m a human who navigates the same stresses and "off days" that you do. I know how much effort it takes to stay consistent with the very tools I teach. I’m not looking down at your life from a pedestal; I’m in the trenches of the human experience right alongside you.
My approach is highly adaptive. Think of me as someone who keeps a very organized toolbox but isn't afraid to use a tool in a new way to fit your specific needs. I am fascinated by how our bodies and minds work together, and I pull from a variety of methods such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), to help you move toward the person you actually want to be, rather than the person you feel "stuck" being. Whether we are untangling a thought pattern or using the Gottman Method to look at your relationships and connections, our work is always tailored to your unique story.
I’m direct, but I lead with empathy. I value a space where we can be serious about your growth but light enough to laugh at the absurdity of life. If I share an insight that doesn't fit, tell me. I love it when a client corrects me, it means you’re finding your own voice and taking ownership of your path.
If you asked someone who has been in a session with me to describe the experience, they would likely say it feels active, practical, and engaging.
I often use analogies and metaphors to help make sense of what is happening internally. Clients frequently tell me these images or “mental pictures” stay with them long after the session and help them understand their patterns in a clearer way.
Therapy is not only conversation-based. We often use in-session exercises, role play, and practice-based strategies so you can try out new ways of responding in the moment. It becomes a kind of rehearsal space for real life, where you can build confidence before using these tools outside of therapy.
I do like structure and clarity, and I often check in on where we are going and what we are working toward. At the same time, I do not let structure override important emotional moments when they arise. Those moments are given space when they are needed.
Many people also describe feeling relieved that the work is both supportive and focused. We are not just talking through problems without direction. We are building practical skills and tools that can be used in everyday life, so change feels real and usable outside of the session.
What You Might Notice After
Working With Me
When we work together, the goal isn't to turn you into a "perfect" version of yourself. It’s about helping you feel comfortable in your own skin again. It’s a bit like clearing out a cluttered room; once we move the heavy furniture that’s been blocking the door, you finally have the space to move freely.
I will help you build a personalized toolkit to navigate those unhelpful thoughts, heavy emotions, and the habits that just aren't serving you anymore. Instead of waking up with that all-too-familiar knot of dread, you might start to feel a sense of quiet capability, that grounded feeling that no matter what the day throws at you, you actually have what it takes to handle it.
I often see my clients become much more sturdy as we work together. Think of it like being an anchor in a storm: the waves, the stressors, the deadlines, the expectations, are still there, but they aren't tossing you around the way they used to. As we clarify your values and priorities, you’ll find yourself reconnecting with your inner strengths, the "real you" that’s been buried under the pressure to perform.
As the shift moves from just surviving your schedule to actually participating in your life. You’ll start to show up with more courage and vulnerability, directing your own show rather than just following a script. You’ll feel more deeply connected to yourself and, in turn, more present for the people who matter most to you.
Areas of Interest & Specialty
Client Focus
BIPOC | Caregivers | Couples | Immigrants | Refugees | Individual Adults | Individual Minors (15+ yrs) | Families | First Nations | Inuit | Metis
Service Language(s):
- English
- Mandrain
Areas of Specialty
Depression| Anxiety | Borderline BPD | Caregiver Support |Co-Parenting | Insomnia | Divorce | ADHD (Adult) | Domestic Abuse| Relationship (Couples and family) Counselling | Trauma | Identity issues | Life transitions
Types of Therapy Approaches
That I Offer
How Services Can Be Accessed
Insurance & Funding Options
Clients can access services privately or through the following plans:
- Extended Health Care Plan (Blue Cross, Canada Life, Sun Life, Manulife, Greenshield, and others)
- Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB)
- Veteran Affairs Canada (VAC)
- Indian Residential School Program (IRS RHSP)
- Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
Fun Facts
I like to think of myself as a psychological detective. I love the 'puzzle' of therapy, pulling a thread from a Narrative approach here or an EMDR insight there to see how they fit together. My favourite part of the job is that moment when we find the missing piece that makes your current patterns finally make sense.
Training & Qualifications
Lei is a Registered Psychologist in Alberta with a unique academic background, holding two Master’s degrees: one in Psychological Studies in Education and another in Counselling Psychology. This dual foundation allows her to understand not just the clinical side of mental health, but also the deeper educational and developmental patterns that shape how we learn to navigate the world.
Her clinical journey has been defined by supporting individuals through the complexities of trauma, general mental health concerns, and relationship challenges. Having worked extensively in both community mental health clinics and private practice, Lei has developed an approach that is both strategic and deeply compassionate. These environments taught her how to stay grounded and effective while helping people navigate their most vulnerable moments.
Lei’s therapeutic toolkit is diverse and evidence-based, allowing her to be creative and flexible. She doesn't believe in a "one-size-fits-all" approach; instead, she collaborates with her clients to find the specific interventions that resonate with their unique lives and goals.