Gia Han Phan (Ruby)

She/ Hwe

Tier I Therapist

The act of creating, whether through words, images, or gestures, holds a quiet power. In therapy, I view our conversations as a shared canvas, where fragments of experience can be placed, rearranged, and viewed in a new light. Together, we slow the pace of life, making room for both what feels heavy and what longs to emerge.

I believe each person carries a layered story, woven from memory, culture, relationships, and hopes for the future. Even in places of pain or uncertainty, creativity offers a way to reconnect with resilience and possibility.

In our work, art can serve as both a mirror and a bridge: a way of expressing what words alone cannot hold, and a pathway toward a deeper understanding of self and others. Whether through conversation, creative exploration, or silence, therapy becomes a space where your voice matters and your story can unfold.

I provide therapy in English and Vietnamese.

By providing a non-judgmental, gender-expansive, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed environment, I hope to help clients transform moments of challenge into opportunities for empowerment.

My Story

I was born in Vietnam, immigrated to Canada with my parents, and now live in New York while completing my Master’s in Art Therapy at NYU Steinhardt. Navigating these cultural crossings, balancing languages, traditions, and ways of belonging, shaped how I see the world. I learned early on that creativity could carry memory and identity in ways that words sometimes could not.

I originally went into fashion because clothing felt like a way to express myself. Through it, I could transform into different parts of myself, choosing colours, textures, and forms that reflected my mood or gave me confidence. When I felt sad, I could soften into fabrics that comforted me, like more natural and oversized. When I wanted to feel strong, I could dress myself in boldness, like a blazer and clothes with more structure. Fashion gave me a language of self-expression, but over time, I realized my deepest calling was in the human side of creation, and how art-making can help us process emotions, connect, and heal. That realization led me to art therapy, where I now weave together my artistic background, cultural journey, and commitment to supporting others.

Therapeutic Approaches

My work is grounded in a person-centred and relational approach, where the therapeutic relationship itself becomes a vessel for healing. Relational therapy emphasizes that change happens through authentic connection by being seen, accepted, and understood in the presence of another. I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can experience trust, and where the relationship itself can be reparative.

I also bring a trauma-informed lens, pacing our work gently and attuning to how past experiences may live in the body and shape the present. As someone who grew up between cultures, I understand the unique struggles of being second-generation, wanting to adapt to Western society while also staying true to heritage and identity. This perspective informs my sensitivity to cultural dynamics, belonging, and self-expression in art therapy.

I integrate trauma-informed, psychodynamic insights, mindfulness practices, and art-based techniques to create a balance between reflection and creativity. Whether through conversation, collage, or wearable art, I see therapy as a collaborative space where new perspectives can emerge and resilience can be strengthened.

Specialties

I support individuals navigating life transitions, family-of-origin challenges, relationships, and identity exploration. I am particularly interested in working with young adults and adults reflecting on cultural identity, bicultural or immigrant experiences, and belonging.

I also work with clients experiencing anxiety, self-esteem, and body image concerns. In these areas, art therapy can be especially powerful. I often use wearable materials like jewelry-making, crocheting, or natural dye, because creating something you can hold or wear allows the process of healing to live beyond the session. Wearing what you make can be grounding, empowering, and a tangible reminder of resilience.

I offer bilingual services in English and Vietnamese, creating a space where language and culture are honoured as part of the healing process. My background in fashion also provides me with a unique perspective: I see both art and therapy as processes of layering, weaving, and transformation.

Credentials

Supervisor: YuehChun Chao (Avery), LCAT: 002513
Degree: New York University—Master of Arts in Art Therapy, NYU Steinhardt
Degree: Parsons School of Design—Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design

Book a Session with Taoru