Registered Social Worker (MSW, RSW) · She/her · Virtual across Ontario · English (说) · Mandarin (听) · Shanghai Dialect
Vivian helps individuals & couples navigate the complexities of self-discovery, personal growth, and healthy relationships by offering a compassionate space to explore and embrace their authentic selves.
Charged after each session · Receipts for reimbursement
What she works on, the languages she works in, and how she works.
Vivian is a Registered Social Worker (MSW, RSW), registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). Sessions are 50 minutes, video or phone, and available to anyone residing in Ontario. Want to know how she works? Read Vivian's story below.
It's always strange for me to talk about who I am, because so much of my work is having the privilege of hearing others' stories and being a support to them.
Vivian Zhang, MSW, RSW
I can give you the resume: I am a registered social worker and a psychotherapist. I've worked in many hospitals and academic settings — from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, North York General Hospital, St Michael's Hospital, the Hincks-Dellcrest (now the Sick Kids Centre for Mental Health), to the University of Toronto.
Why do I start with my resume? One reason is that seems to be the expectation for any professional. Another is because I've been defined by my achievements most of my life. I know this about myself and I know it creates anxiety for me in my career and relationships — and that's what really pulls me into this work, because I hear from others that they experience the same things: performance anxiety, social anxiety, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, confusion around self-identity, people-pleasing, and the list goes on. I believe these are symptoms of our experiences with others throughout our life and a very real fear of being vulnerable that prevents us from truly being seen and known. Somewhere, we got the message that 'this version of me isn't acceptable,' so we abandoned the parts we felt others couldn't accept, and grew more distant from ourselves and others.
I speak about these thoughts and feelings from my own experience and family history (I'm a first-generation immigrant). Growing up, we didn't talk about feelings, and the only time I received recognition was for academic and career achievements. My early childhood was turbulent and loud. The way I learned to feel safe was through avoidance and being quiet — which didn't help in workplace relationships, dating, or friendships. Those coping skills protected me growing up, but they no longer serve me in building deeper, more meaningful relationships, so I've had to try out and use the strategies I share with my clients.
And, as you would have guessed, life changes as we experience new things. Recently, I've been working more with couples around communication, intimacy (physical and emotional), fertility issues, and being neurodivergent. We explore what it means to be monogamous (or not) and how to build the foundations of a strong relationship.
If these experiences resonate with you, I truly hope I could be of support. I am here to guide you in understanding more of these patterns (Psychodynamic, Narrative Therapy), learning practical skills and tools (CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, Neuroscience theory), finding solutions for present issues (Solution-Focused Therapy), figuring out your emotions and communicating them effectively (Emotion-Focused Therapy), and helping you cope, grow, and thrive — because you're worthy and you can take control of your life.
Oh, did I mention I process thoughts best through metaphors and analogies? (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.) You'll find them scattered throughout our work together.
If you'd like to learn more first, book a free 15-minute consultation to talk it through before deciding.
You know the cost, and the rules, before you book.
Insurance: Check whether your extended health plan reimburses services from Registered Social Workers. Most Ontario extended health plans reimburse sessions with a Registered Social Worker (MSW, RSW); private psychotherapy is not funded by OHIP. Inner Room does not bill insurers directly — you pay after each session, and we issue a receipt with the details your plan needs for reimbursement. Read the insurance guide
Before your first session
Vivian Zhang is a Registered Social Worker (MSW, RSW), registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). Registration can be verified at ocswssw.org.
Not sure yet? Book a free 15-minute consult to talk it through before you decide.
Book when you're ready — or meet her first, free.
Use the button below to pick a time in Vivian's calendar. There's no waitlist and no intake forms to complete first — you're booked for a 50-minute video or phone session.
Not sure yet? Book the free 15-minute consultation instead. You describe what's going on, Vivian tells you how she'd approach it, and you both get a read on fit before anything is charged.
A credit card goes on file before your first session, you're charged after each one, and a receipt for reimbursement follows every time. See fees.
Approach, fit, fees, couples therapy, and how to reach her specifically.
Relational and collaborative. She believes a strong, trusting relationship is at the core of meaningful therapy. She starts by understanding what you want from therapy and how she can best support you, then draws on approaches that fit: Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT/EFIT for couples), Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy.
She brings a culturally-sensitive, trauma-informed lens to her work, and she looks past the individual symptom: your relationships, the influence of systemic issues, and your own family history are treated as part of the picture, not background noise. She is also known for using metaphors and analogies to help you understand patterns.
Yes. Vivian works with couples around communication, conflict resolution, intimacy (physical and emotional), premarital counselling, and fertility concerns. She uses Emotion-Focused Therapy for couples (EFT) as a primary approach, which focuses on the patterns between you and helps you build a secure, responsive connection.
Couples sessions are 50 minutes ($220), and the initial/intake session is 80 minutes ($310). She explores what it means to be in relationship with each other, how to build strong foundations, and how neurodivergence (if present) affects your dynamic.
An individual 50-minute session with Vivian is $195. The student rate is $130. Couples therapy is $220 (50 minutes) or $310 (80-minute intake). Clinical supervision is $180. The 15-minute consultation call is free.
Psychotherapy services provided by Registered Social Workers are exempt from HST, so the listed fee is the amount you pay. A credit card is required on file before your first appointment, and you're charged after each session — no packages, no prepayment. Full fees and policies.
Most Ontario extended health plans reimburse sessions with a Registered Social Worker (MSW, RSW), which is Vivian's designation. Private psychotherapy is not funded by OHIP.
Inner Room does not bill insurers directly. You pay after each session and we issue a receipt carrying Vivian's name, registration number, the session date, the duration, and the fee — everything a plan needs for reimbursement. Check your own plan for its annual limit and reimbursement percentage, or read our insurance guide.
Yes. Vivian works in English, Mandarin (conversational), and Shanghai Dialect. Mention which you'd prefer when you book and the session will be held in that language.
As a first-generation immigrant, she brings a culturally-sensitive perspective to what's impacting you — including the influence of different cultures, family expectations, and the immigrant experience itself. That's core to her work.
Use any “Book a Session with Vivian” button to book directly in Vivian's calendar. Want to meet her first? Use the “Not sure yet?” link and book the free 15-minute consultation instead.
There's no waitlist and no intake forms to complete first. If her schedule is full we'll let you know — you'll have the option to get on a waitlist for Vivian or meet sooner with another therapist on our team. See how booking works.
Pick a time in Vivian's calendar and book directly. Want to meet her first? Start with a free 15-minute consultation.
Book a Session with VivianNot sure yet? Book a free 15-minute consult
If you're in crisis, call or text 988 (Canada's suicide crisis helpline) or go to your nearest hospital emergency department. Inner Room provides ongoing psychotherapy and is not a crisis service.