Alani is licensed both as a Registered Clinical Social Worker (MSW, RCSW) and Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in British Columbia, as well as a Registered Social Worker (RSW) in Ontario. She specializes in working with parents and families for children’s behavioural interventions ages 6-12, as well as teens and young adults ages 19-35 going through transitional life changes in their relationships, work, and education. 

As the founder of Hearts Together Therapy, Alani uses a multi-modal approach to her therapy practice, drawing strategies from CBT, DBT, ACT and Narrative Therapy. She is a trained DBT Therapist (to help with emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and focusing on doing what works) as well as an Emotion-focused Level 1 trained Therapist (adept with doing chair work). She is also trained in Emotion-focused Family Therapy (caregiver-focused intervention) and Gottman Method for couples counselling. As a Vietnamese speaking therapist, Alani is passionate about providing a culturally-responsive therapy approach and training other therapists to do the same.

Alani was born and raised in GTA and moved to Vancouver 3 years ago where she was able to achieve advanced clinical licensure to diagnose mental health conditions (from the DSM-V) for her clients in BC. With 10 years of psychotherapy experience, Alani also provides Clinical Supervision to other therapists and is working towards her provisional RCC-ACS licensure.  In her free time, Alani enjoys dance, figure skating, and re-exploring what play can look like for a now adult who grew up in an immigrant refugee-status, working-class family.  

Currently: Accepting new referrals for September 2024 - I offer virtual sessions in Ontario and BC.  - I offer in-person sessions in a Vancouver-based office

Languages spoken: English, Vietnamese

Alani is licensed both as a Registered Clinical Social Worker (MSW, RCSW) and Registered Clinical... Read More

Hello! Im Laarni Lei Bernardo, a human, a woman, a mom, an immigrant. I find that these are essential in my practice as we thrive to create a safe, authentic space where you are seen, heard, respected, and recognized.
I have been working with youth and families for the past 20 years in various capacities as a teacher for 8 years, and a counsellor for 18 years. I am adept in various techniques and modalities and have worked closely with families, survivors of violence and abuse, children in conflict with the law, and people (young and old) with various mental health labels. I love working with people and am always keen in discovering their strengths and harnessing their potential.
If you feel that we might be a good fit, tara, usap tayo (come, let us talk). I offer free initial in-person / phone / virtual consultation to see if we can work collaboratively. Languages: English, Tagalog

Hello! Im Laarni Lei Bernardo, a human, a woman, a mom, an immigrant. I find that these are essen... Read More

Our clinic doing what we can to support community healing and togetherness.

Our clinic doing what we can to support community healing and togetherness. Read More