Lia Bishop, MSW, RSW

Therapist / Social Worker

Approach

Lia brings a deeply relational approach to therapy, grounded in compassion, curiosity, and respect for the journey of healing. She believes therapy is a collaborative space where stories and experiences can be explored with care, curiosity, and without judgment. Her goal is to create an environment where clients feel safe enough to reconnect with themselves, strengthen their relationships, and move toward a greater sense of belonging.

Healing is rarely a linear process, but therapy can provide a steady foundation for navigating life's challenges and creating meaningful change. Lia works collaboratively with clients to build on their existing strengths, better understand the patterns that may be keeping them stuck, and develop greater confidence in themselves and their ability to move forward.

Lia provides in-person counselling in Maple Ridge and virtual therapy throughout British Columbia. She also offers a complimentary introductory call for those who would like to learn more about her approach, ask questions, and determine whether working together feels like the right fit.

Who She Helps

Lia works with youth and adults who are looking for a safe, supportive space to better understand themselves, navigate life's challenges, and move toward meaningful change. Many of her clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or unsure of how they arrived at this point. Others are seeking support through major life transitions, relationship difficulties, anxiety, or the lasting impact of difficult experiences.

You may find yourself constantly questioning your decisions, feeling disconnected from yourself, or struggling to balance the expectations of others with your own needs. Perhaps you've spent so much time taking care of those around you that you've lost sight of what you need, or maybe you're finding it difficult to manage overwhelming emotions, relationships, or the stress of everyday life.

Lia believes that every person's experiences are unique and that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing. She is committed to understanding each client's story with curiosity, compassion, and respect, recognizing that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours often make sense in the context of what we've been through. Together, you'll work to better understand the patterns that may be keeping you stuck while building new ways of responding that feel more aligned with the life you want to create.

Whether your goal is to strengthen your relationships, improve your emotional wellbeing, heal from past experiences, or reconnect with yourself, Lia tailors therapy to your individual needs and goals. Drawing from trauma-informed, attachment-based, and evidence-based approaches, she works collaboratively with clients to foster greater self-understanding, resilience, and lasting change.

About Lia

Lia brings over 10 years of experience supporting individuals through community-based and frontline work with vulnerable populations. These experiences have shaped her understanding of the many factors that influence mental health, resilience, and healing.

She approaches therapy with an awareness of how identity, relationships, and broader systemic influences can impact a person's wellbeing. Both her professional background and lived experience inform a compassionate, trauma-informed, and social justice-oriented approach to clinical practice.

Outside of the therapy room, Lia enjoys unwinding in a hot yoga class or tending to her medicinal plant garden. She values spending time in nature and nurturing the connection between mind and body, recognizing these practices as important parts of her own wellbeing.

Ready to take the next step?

Book with Lia

  • Lia offers a complimentary 15–20 minute introductory phone call to anyone interested in working together. This is an opportunity for you to get a sense of what it might be like to work with her, learn more about her approach, discuss what you're hoping to get out of therapy, and ask any questions you may have. It's also an opportunity for Lia to determine whether her approach is likely to be a good fit for your needs. If she doesn't think she's the best person to help, she'll do her best to point you in the right direction.

  • Lia's approach is warm, relational, and collaborative. She believes that healing happens within the context of safe, supportive relationships and strives to create a space where you feel genuinely heard, respected, and accepted. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, Lia is interested in understanding your unique experiences, relationships, and the factors that have shaped your life.

    Drawing from trauma-informed, attachment-based, and parts-oriented approaches, she works with clients to better understand themselves, strengthen their sense of safety and connection, and move toward meaningful, lasting change.

  • Not at all. Many people begin therapy with a general sense that something doesn't feel right, but have difficulty putting it into words. You don't need to have everything figured out before your first session.

    Together, you and Lia will explore what's been happening in your life, what feels most important right now, and what you hope might be different. As your understanding grows, your goals may become clearer - and it's completely okay if they change over time. Therapy is a collaborative process, and there is space for uncertainty.

  • Many people come to therapy worried that they won't know what to say or that they'll struggle to talk about what's going on. Lia understands that opening up can feel vulnerable, especially if you've learned to cope by carrying things on your own or keeping your feelings to yourself.

    There is no expectation that you share everything right away. Therapy is about building trust over time. Lia works at a pace that feels comfortable for you and believes that feeling safe and understood is an important part of the healing process. Whether you're ready to talk openly or simply aren't sure where to begin, she'll meet you where you are with compassion and curiosity.

  • The first session is part conversation and part information gathering. Together, you'll review important information about working together, discuss what has brought you to therapy, and explore what you're hoping to get from the process. Lia will ask about your current concerns, relationships, supports, and any relevant history, but there is no expectation that you'll tell your entire life story during your first appointment. The session is also an opportunity to begin developing a shared understanding of what's happening and what healing might look like for you.

Healing may not be linear, but with care, curiosity, and connection, it can lead us back to belonging.

— Lia