Dr. Helena Ma
Dr. Helena Ma
(she/her)
Looking for a therapist who truly sees all of you—your culture, your creativity, your identity, and your faith? I'm a queer Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, clinically trained in Art Therapy and certified in Christ-centered counselling. I offer therapy in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, and specialize in supporting LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals navigating identity, relationships, and emotional healing. With a Doctorate in Social Work and a Master's in Marital and Family Therapy with a focus in Clinical Art Therapy, I blend creativity, compassion, and cultural understanding to help you reconnect with your inner voice, build confidence, and live more fully.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, you can expect a welcoming and collaborative space where we’ll begin with an initial assessment to better understand your concerns, experiences, and hopes for therapy. This structured yet conversational process allows us to explore what’s been weighing on you, what you’re hoping to shift, and how I can best support you. I encourage open dialogue and invite you to show up just as you are—no pressure to have it all figured out. Together, we’ll start building a foundation of trust and clarity, and by the end of the session, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the therapeutic process and a set of meaningful, shared goals to guide our journey forward.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
What sets my work apart is the way I weave together the arts, social change, and therapeutic techniques to create a deeply engaging and transformative experience for my clients. I go beyond traditional talk therapy by offering creative, out-of-the-box approaches that support personal growth, healing, and a stronger sense of purpose and mastery in life. As a therapist, advocate, and social change agent, I’m passionate about helping clients connect with their authentic selves in a space that’s dynamic, holistic, and tailored to their unique needs. My greatest strength lies in creating a safe, empowering environment where clients feel supported in doing the meaningful, often life-changing work of transformation.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I’m best positioned to serve individuals who are seeking a safe, affirming space to explore identity, heal from emotional wounds, and reconnect with their sense of purpose. I work with a diverse range of clients, with many identifying as Asian American, LGBTQ+, or faith-based. My practice is rooted in the belief that transformation happens in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. With a relational, creative, and person-centred approach, I walk alongside clients who are ready to move from only surviving to thriving—helping them uncover their innate strengths, heal inner conflicts, and connect to their most authentic, empowered selves.
About Dr. Helena Ma
I identify as
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Eclectic
I believe healing happens when you feel safe enough to be fully seen and heard; and be playful (creative) enough to imagine something new. My approach blends the power of art, social change, and evidence-based approaches to help you reconnect with your inner voice, establish new tools, increase insight, and move you toward a life rooted in purpose and authenticity. I incorporate arts in session to support healing, self-expression, and personal transformation.
Humanistic
I believe that it is through the process of being heard and seen in a safe, non-judgmental, accepting, and supportive environment that new depth and meaning are created, change is envisioned, wounds are healed, and conflicts are transformed. My approach is relational, creative, integrative, empathetic, and person-centered.
Attachment-based
In my practice, we explore on how our early relationships—especially with caregivers, family, or faith communities—have shaped their sense of self and current relational patterns. Many LGBTQ+ and BIPOC clients from culturally or spiritually conservative backgrounds carry deep-rooted beliefs around worthiness and safety that continue to impact their lives. Together, we gently unpack these patterns, working to build self-trust, emotional regulation, and secure connections. I view the therapeutic relationship as a powerful tool for healing—offering a safe, consistent, and affirming space where clients can experience being truly seen and supported. Through this relational foundation, clients begin to rewrite old narratives, reclaim their voice, and develop healthier boundaries for lasting, meaningful growth.