Meet Hannah Tan

Education

I hold a Master of Counselling Psychology with President’s Honors from City University of Seattle, where my training focused on trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and evidence-based approaches to therapy. During this program, I worked at a no-cost clinic in Calgary serving marginalized communities, where I gained hands-on experience supporting adults and couples navigating complex diagnoses, relationship challenges, and major life transitions.

I also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Applied Emphasis) with a minor in Religious Studies from Concordia University of Edmonton. My undergraduate studies emphasized human development, psychopathology, and the intersections of culture, identity, and mental health. During this time, I interned at Wellspring Alberta, a non profit focused on supporting individuals with Cancer.

Beyond my formal degrees, I’ve pursued extensive professional development to strengthen both my clinical and leadership skills. I hold a Leadership Development Certificate from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), and additional certifications including:

• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) – Canadian Mental Health Association
• Suicide Interventionist Certificate – Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute
• Mental Health First Aid – Mental Health Commission of Canada
• The Practice of Coaching – Roy Group Leadership
• Beyond Skills: The Therapeutic Principles of Dialectical Behaviour – Dr. Rachel King
• TCPS Core (Research Ethics Training) – Panel on Research Ethics
• Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy Certificate

Therapy with me doesn’t feel like talking to a blank wall. I’m not a blank-slate therapist who just nods and asks, “How does that make you feel?” I bring my full humanity into the room; warmth, honesty, and yes, even humor. If you make a joke, I’ll most likely laugh. We’re two humans sitting together, creating a space that feels safe enough for you to trust me with your story. And I empower you to be the authority on what safety means for you.

I see therapy as a highly collaborative and relational process. The compass that guides our work lies within you; you are the expert on your own life. My role is to bring clinical knowledge, tools, and honest reflections to help you navigate, but you’re always in the driver’s seat. My expertise informs the work, but it never defines who you are.

I also approach therapy with cultural awareness and deep respect for the many “rooms” we inherit; family systems, workplaces, and cultural expectations that shape how we see ourselves. What may feel like a personal flaw is often the result of environments that weren’t designed with your complexity in mind. In this way, I view therapy as highly political in that it can either re-inforce cycles of oppression or help to dismantle them. Our work together isn’t about seeing you as something broken that needs fixing; it’s about understanding the bigger picture and helping you live in alignment with who you truly are.

Clients often describe my style as a balance of clinical depth and compassionate presence. I integrate evidence-based approaches but the real foundation is our relationship. I’ll meet you with clarity, curiosity, and respect, while holding space for your growth; whether that looks like tackling hard truths, challenging you, learning new tools, or finding moments of laughter in the middle of the chaos.

In short: I’m not here to reduce you to a diagnosis or make you feel small. I’m here as a real person, walking with you as you rediscover your strength and begin to rise.

When I’m not in session, you’ll probably find me doing one of three things: building the perfect farm in Stardew Valley, rewatching anime (yes, I’m still waiting for more Hunter x Hunter), or wandering in the Alberta mountains pretending I’m more outdoorsy than I actually am.

I love good food, bad puns, and laughing at life’s absurdities; especially the ones that remind us we’re all just figuring it out as we go. My sense of humor and playfulness aren’t something I leave at the office door; they’re part of how I stay grounded and human, so I can show up that way for you too.