Founder & Practitioner
Hi, nice to finally meet you. I am Yuhao and go by Hao (pronounced exactly like "HOW"). I am the founder and therapist at HouseYourMind, who provides mental health services in both English and Chinese (Mandarin).
If you've found yourself turning to Google or ChatGPT late at night, hoping it can finally make sense of what you've been feeling, you're not alone. Many people living with anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, or behaviours they wish they could change spend years trying to figure themselves out. You might replay conversations over and over, prepare for every possible outcome, or keep searching for the "right" answer that will finally make things feel different. At the same time, you may wonder why, despite all the insight and effort, the same patterns keep showing up. Over time, the pressure to understand everything, make the right decision, or avoid making a mistake can become exhausting. Often, underneath that exhaustion are unmet emotional needs, long-held beliefs, and ways of coping that once helped you get through difficult experiences but may no longer be serving you today.
Yuhao Miao (he/him/his)
Credentials:
Alberta Registered Provisional Psychologist (CAP) - Reg. P8708
Ontario Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO-Qualifying) - Reg. 18319
Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCPA) - Reg. 11250281
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology
Working as a therapist:
Each renewal of my professional credentials is not just a paper update, but a growing sense of assurance, allowing me to support my clients with greater calm as we navigate life’s challenges side by side. As I have developed in my counselling practice, my approach has evolved into a more holistic style that blends evidence-based techniques. Such an approach has helped clients work through challenges, including, but not limited to, grief, anxiety, and depression, trauma, while supporting their sense of self and relationship dynamics.
My upbringing and immigration experience allows me to embrace both Eastern and Western cultures, which also equips me with a nuanced understanding of BIPOC clients, those with multicultural identities, or sharing intercultural relationships. A significant part of my work involves supporting clients from family-oriented cultures, such as, Asian, Latin American, Mediterranean, part of Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and African backgrounds. In this work, we often explore generational patterns, intergenerational trauma, and the tension between personal needs and cultural expectations, including role expectations within the family, boundary-setting, and the pull between independence and loyalty. We may also look at how emotion is expressed or suppressed, as well as experiences of migration, cultural transition, and identity formation across different cultural contexts. Together, we explore how these experiences shape one’s sense of identity, relationships, and self-understanding over time.
I have worked and am dedicated to continue working with clients across the range from emerging adulthood to more established stages of life, representing various cultural backgrounds and life experiences. Growing up in Northern China shaped the roots of who I am, and venturing to Canada alone in my early adulthood taught me how to thrive in unfamiliar spaces with courage and curiosity.
I also work closely with 2SLGBTQIA+clients navigating questions around self-identity, relationship concerns (including monogamous and non-monogamous relationships), body dysphoria, and patterns related to sexual behaviour. This can also include experiences of stigma or invalidation both within and outside 2SLGBTQIA+communities, as well as ongoing stress shaped by broader social and political climates. In our work together, I offer an open, non-judgmental space that supports clients in making sense of these experiences at their own pace and in a way that honours their unique stories.
In my work with clients with neurodivergent experiences such as ADHD, I focus on creating a supportive and collaborative space where they feel understood and respected. Together, we develop practical and realistic strategies to help manage thoughts, emotions, or behaviours when they become challenging, while also supporting self-acceptance. When working with clients with trauma histories, I take a trauma-informed approach that emphasizes safety, validation, and attunement. I pay close attention to both verbal and non-verbal communication to better understand unmet needs and support healing at a pace that feels appropriate for each individual.
With my therapist hat off…
When I’m not tucked into cafés or libraries absorbing new ideas, you’ll probably find me at the gym breaking a sweat, because mental and physical health always go hand in hand. Self-care is my secret sauce for staying grounded, whether it’s through acrylic painting, aromatherapy, or simply giving myself permission to slow down.
I stay connected with my community through friendships, social support networks, and volunteer work that keeps me grounded. Moving to a new country and adjusting to a new culture taught me how important it is to have people who make you feel like you belong. When everything around you feels unfamiliar, even small connections, such as, a shared meal, a familiar “language”, someone who “gets it”, can feel huge. Building community from scratch wasn’t always easy, but it showed me how much we all need a sense of home, no matter where we are. That experience shapes how I show up for people who haven’t had much space to be seen, heard, or accepted, with a real understanding of how isolating transitions can be and how powerful it is to feel seen and supported.
I’ve always been fascinated by different cultures, which probably explains why I decided to call Canada home. However, this doesn’t stop me from moving around just to learn how people live, love, heal, and make meaning across different corners of the world. Whether I’m wandering through historic neighbourhoods imagining the stories they hold, or soaking in the energy of high-tech cities that feel like the future, exploring different places helps me get people on a deeper level. I love hanging out with locals, listening to their stories, swapping ideas about something we both care about, and trying to live even just a little like they do for a day. Those real, everyday moments show me what matters to people and give me a fresh perspective on life. And if you ever catch me at an airport, I’m most likely heading toward another “uncharted” destination, chasing culture, beauty, and the unknown.