We have been deeply saddened and devastated to learn about the tragic incident that occurred at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival on April 26, 2025, deeply impacting Vancouver's Filipino community and beyond. Our deepest thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to all the families and to everyone that has been affected by this unimaginable loss.
If you know of any individuals or families that have been impacted by this tragic incident and are needing support, free therapeutic support is being offered by a few members of our team.
FREE SUPPORT
Our Expressive Arts Therapist, Samuel Romero, ExAT, is kindly offering Expressive Arts Therapy for free (pro-bono). He previously worked as an Expressive Arts Therapist in the Surrey public school system providing expressive arts therapy to refugee children/youth, so he has lots of experience supporting children/youth and families that have experienced significant trauma (he is also a father himself). He is able to work with children/youth, adults and families, and can provide support in English or Spanish. You can learn more about him at the link below.
Samuel Romero, ExAT, Expressive Arts Therapist - Able to provide support in English or Spanish.
https://www.safespacecounselling.ca/team/samuel-romero
We also have two Master's-level practicum student counsellors, Dhaniah Wijaya and Wendy Wu, that are able to provide support for free (space permitting).
Dhaniah Wijaya, Practicum Student Counsellor - Able to provide support in English or Malay/Indonesian.
https://www.safespacecounselling.ca/team/dhaniah-wijaya
Wendy Wu, Practicum Student Counsellor - Able to provide support in English or Mandarin.
https://www.safespacecounselling.ca/team/wendy-wu
LOW-COST SUPPORT
Two of our RCCs are also offering low-cost support:
Olivia Ng, MEd, RCC - Able to provide support in English, Cantonese or Mandarin.
https://www.safespacecounselling.ca/team/olivia-ng
Daria Szwedowicz, MC, RCC - Able to provide support in English.
https://www.safespacecounselling.ca/team/daria-szwedowicz
To receive help, please contact our office manager, Tarah, at info@safespacecounselling.ca or (604) 440-2105 or submit an inquiry through our Contact Page.
Please feel free to pass on this information to anyone who may benefit!
