Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Ed Chen M.Ed., RCC-ACS, CCC of Port Coquitlam, British Columbia

Ed Chen M.Ed., RCC-ACS, CCC shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Ed, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
A lot of people think that as DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) therapists, we’re the experts in our clients’ lives. The fact is, our clients are the experts of their own experiences. They know themselves best. What we bring to the table is expertise in DBT skills and treatment.

That means therapy isn’t one person telling the other what to do. It’s a real partnership between equals, where both sides contribute. Clients share their goals and experiences, and we bring strategies and support. Together, we collaborate to find what actually works and create meaningful change. What some may not know, because DBT is a true relationships between therapist and client, clients are free to ask questions about their therapists’ lives, and we will answer them directly without dodging the question.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a BCACC registered, CCPA certified clinical counsellor, and a BCACC Approved Clinical Supervisor. I currently serve as the lead trainer at the DBT Centre of Greater Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, and as the lead clinician at the DBT Clinic of Greater Vancouver. I have extensive experience in delivering evidence-based treatment to high-risk youths and families experiencing concerns such as suicidality, self-harm, impulsivity, depression, anxiety, trauma, and addictions, and also managing multidisciplinary mental health teams in both private and public sectors. I also have considerable background in DBT program development in government agencies, community services, and schools. My DBT Program for Young Parents in Schools was recently nominated for a Premier’s Award for innovation in British Columbia.

I am also the author of Helping Kids Who Game: A Step-By-Step Guide For Parents & Caregivers Dealing With Gaming Behaviours & Addiction, Using Principles Of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Helping Bosses Who Care: A Step-By-Step Guide For Managers And Supervisors Dealing With Mental Health Concerns In The Workplace, Using Principles Of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When I was 10, I immigrated from Taipei, Taiwan, to Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. I left behind everything that was familiar to me: my friends, my relatives, and my culture. This experience taught me at an early age how deeply challenging and transformative change can be. I felt firsthand the discomfort of leaving the known and having to rebuild a sense of belonging in a completely new environment. At the same time, it also allowed me to see the profound possibilities that change can bring: new cultures, new friends, and an expanded family. From that moment on, I learned to appreciate the strength and courage it takes for people to navigate life’s transitions. This appreciation continues to shape the way I understand people, relationships, and therapy.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes. When I was 16, I reached a point in my life where the pain and difficulties felt unbearable, and I attempted to take my own life. Looking back, it became a crucial turning point. I came to realize that even in the midst of suffering, I still had the power to choose, and it is in that choice that we either find our inner wisdom, or we experience utter misery. That being said, making a choice is not easy, but that moment served as a reminder for me that as human beings, we can be in pain and still not be alone. Yes, pain can convince us that the moment we are in will last forever, and we may have the urge to avoid it at all possible costs. However, it is in the choice to embrace that pain that I learned that change is possible, and connection is possible. More importantly, on the other side of that pain, is a life that is worth living. Don’t get me wrong, it may not be perfect, and often times life is not, but it is most definitely, worth it.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
I believe that as human beings, we are all doing the best we can. I’m not saying we are always the most effective, the most skillful, or that we always have the clearest intentions in every moment. What I am saying is that if our lives are like a card game, then we are all playing our hands to the best of our abilities. Can we improve how we play our cards? Certainly. Can we sometimes get better cards? Maybe. What matters most, however, is not whether we win or lose the game of life, but the kind of person we become throughout the process.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes, and it’s been a theme all my life. At the end of the day, what matters most is not whether others notice or praise me, but whether I know I’ve shown up fully and given my best. I’ve learned the importance of self-validation. Acknowledging my own effort, resilience, and growth without needing external approval. Praise can feel good, and at the same time, it’s fleeting. What lasts is the quiet confidence of knowing I’ve acted in line with my values, done what I could with the cards I was dealt, and stayed true to myself. That sense of integrity is its own reward, and it’s something no one can take away.

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Image Credits
Courtesy of the DBT Centre and Clinic of Greater Vancouver.

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