Holly Mak
Registered Counsellor
I believe that life is shaped by the stories we hear and the stories we tell — and that therapeutic conversations are where these stories can be realised and made meaningful.
Together, we can collaborate to understand the ups and downs of your story so far, and where you’d like to go next.
My approach to counselling is empathic, non-judgmental, and culturally-informed. People I work with can expect to discover and reconnect with their values, so that they can make the changes that matter most to them.
I look forward to meeting you,
Holly
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Master of Counselling, Monash University, Australia (Distinction)
Master of Film & Television Studies, University of Warwick, U.K. (Distinction)
Bachelor of English with Film Studies, King’s College London, U.K. (First Class Honours)
Bilingual IB Diploma, Chinese International School, Hong Kong
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Registered Counsellor, Asian Professional Counselling & Psychology Association
Full Member, Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association
Full Member, Hong Kong Society of Counseling & Psychology
Associate Member, Psychotherapy Society of Hong Kong
Mental Health First Aid-trained
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Life & career transitions
Relationship difficulties
Stress
Anxiety
Mood changes
Anger
Grief & loss
Intergenerational trauma
Identity & self-image
Cultural adaptation
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Holly was born and raised in Hong Kong, and has also lived in the U.K., Canada and Taiwan, where she is currently based. Her multicultural experience has allowed her to appreciate the unique benefits and challenges of transnational living.
Holly is an ally of the queer, neurodiverse, and polyamory communities. She treasures opportunities to work with people from a variety of backgrounds.
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Holly works with adult individuals (18+) and couples.
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Online video
Face-to-face
E-mail
More information is available on the Formats & Approaches page.
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Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Compassion-Focused Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Person-Centred Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
More information is available on the Formats & Approaches page.
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Holly speaks English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.
Information For Getting Started
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1. Terms of Practice
These include what to expect from a course of counselling, and how informed consent works. -
2. Fees
Individual Counselling Session:
140 USD / 1,100 HKD / 4,400 TWD
Couples Counselling Session:
170 USD / 1,360 HKD / 5,440 TWD
The fees listed above are for 50-minute sessions. Longer sessions are available at pro-rated fees.Email: 70 USD / 560 HKD / 2,240 TWD
If these fees are a barrier, Holly has limited availability for sessions at a reduced fee. Please enquire before beginning counselling.
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3. Intake Form
To get started, fill out this brief intake form. Holly will then get in touch with you directly.
Testimonials
“I’m very grateful to have found Holly after years of searching for a therapist I feel 100% comfortable with.
Holly works by asking the right questions to understand the cause of my issues and patterns of thought. I feel astoundingly liberated working with her.
She teaches me to recognise my inner value and see things from a different angle. I have learnt to find peace in difficult conditions because of her.
Joanne (Hong Kong)
“Speaking to Holly has been important for me in the past few years. She is very attentive and patient, so I know that I am being heard and understood.
I feel safe, respected and supported each session.
Holly has given me tools to cope with anxiety, panic attacks and perfectionistic tendencies.”
David (United Kingdom)
“I thank Holly deeply for how she’s become a friendly voice in my head that reminds me to think differently when things don’t happen the way I want.
Holly helped me understand that counselling is not about achieving an outcome, but a process … You may not know it at first, but you would gradually come to learn how you’ve grown.”
Phoebe (Singapore)
“My sessions with Holly have been transformative.
Right from the beginning, she has made me feel comfortable, allowing me to explore my feelings and reactions.
Holly has guided me to dig deeper, change perspectives and discover what I need to help my anxiety and overthinking.
She shares tools and resources to guide me. I look forward to my sessions with her and feel calmer after speaking with her. Thank you, Holly!”
Jessica (USA)
“Holly is a phenomenal listener who strives to deeply understand any challenge that I share with her.
She is an empathetic, compassionate, and encouraging therapist who always manages to find ways to leave me feeling calm, composed and reassured after every session.”
Ryan (Hong Kong)
“Holly has has taught me how to challenge my own thoughts and beliefs, ones that I had previously been so sure were true.
Often people think that counselling means having some magical being who can solve all their problems. Holly has given me something far more valuable: an education in my own childhood – one that has allowed me to recognise how my past shapes my perception of the world today. “
Ina (USA)
Holly’s Counselling Journey
As a person seeking support
Holly first saw a counsellor at 18, when she was anxious about a loved one who was suffering from disordered eating.
She was unsure at first, but eased into a rhythm of weekly sessions. The trust that grew in conversation between Holly and her counsellor opened up new ways for her to respond to change.
Counselling didn’t eliminate problems from her life, but it helped Holly face them with more courage and confidence.
As a counsellor
Before becoming a counsellor, Holly spent a decade teaching literature and film, during which she developed a lifelong love of stories. Holly’s attunement to language, emotion and meaning anchors her work to this day.
As a teacher, Holly honed skills now central to her counselling work: empathy, active listening, critical thinking and respectful communication.
Today, Holly enjoys collaborating with people to discover the themes of their stories, forming supportive relationships in the process.