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Vera Cheng
Registered Social Worker. Psychotherapist
Areas of Expertise
Wellness and Self Care • Emotional Resilience for Professionals • Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace • Building Self-Esteem and Resilience • Dismantling Anti-Asian Racism • Managing Stress and Avoiding Burnout • Managing Caregiver Burnout • Regulating your Emotions
Vera Cheng, MSW, RSW, is an award-winning registered social worker, psychotherapist, keynote speaker, and founder of Talk Therapy with Vera. With over 20 years in mental health, Vera delivers clinical and authentic insights on burnout, emotional resilience, workplace mental health, and anti-Asian racism.
As a Chinese-Canadian therapist and mental health advocate, Vera offers a perspective informed by her experience navigating cultural pressures, anxiety, and ambitious expectations. Her approach blends narrative, actionable strategies, and culturally relevant insights that engage professionals, leadership, healthcare organizations, and diverse communities.
Vera has appeared on CBC News, CP24, and CTV News for her work addressing mental health, anti-Asian racism, and wellness in the Asian community. She also collaborated with the Canadian Mental Health Association for the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program campaign, advancing mental health awareness and accessibility across Ontario.
Known for facilitating relatable and transformative conversations, Vera challenges audiences to rethink productivity culture, redefine self-care beyond superficial wellness trends, and cultivate psychological safety sustainably—empowering them with practical tools for personal and professional application.
Signature Topics
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❋ Asian Mental Health & Anti-Asian RacismVera explores the emotional impact of cultural stigma, intergenerational expectations, identity, and anti-Asian racism on mental health and well-being. Through storytelling and practical insight, she creates meaningful conversations that foster empathy, healing, and inclusion in both workplace and community settings.
❋ Burnout & Emotional ResilienceIn today’s high-pressure culture, many professionals operate in survival mode, struggling with exhaustion and overwhelm. Vera equips audiences to recognize burnout early, build resilience, and implement sustainable strategies for long-term wellbeing.
❋ Workplace Psychological SafetyPsychological safety extends beyond workplace jargon—it is fundamental to team health, communication, and retention. Vera instructs on cultivating workplace cultures that foster emotional safety, where employees are supported, valued, and empowered to be authentic without fear of judgment or burnout.
❋ Self-Care Through a Cultural LensSelf-care is not culturally neutral. Vera confronts productivity and "push through it" narratives by demonstrating how culture, family expectations, and identity shape our approach to rest, boundaries, and seeking support. Audiences gain direct, realistic perspectives on sustainable self-care.