Hello

My Approach to Therapy

I use a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, integrative approach to work with clients. In practice, I draw from Psychodynamic, interpersonal processing, humanistic, Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral therapy (DBT), EMDR, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and feminist/multicultural therapy. 

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I view many psychological challenges stem from our past emotional wounds. Many of us have felt invisible, rejected, devalued, or deeply hurt by others. We learned to adapt to the unsupportive environment by judging ourselves, tensing up, trying to control everything, disconnecting from ourselves, numbing our feelings, not trusting others, hiding, or trying to please everyone. As time goes by, these strategies stop working and become symptoms we label as depression, anxiety, disordered eating, substance use, PTSD, self-harm, etc. I work with clients to break free from the past and live life in the way they want.

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I offer a safe space where clients feel seen, accepted and empowered. I collaborate with clients to set goals and identify/build on their strengths. I help clients to reflect on how they think of themselves/others/the world, to examine how their thought patterns may have contributed to their current challenges, and to develop more adaptive beliefs about self, others and the world if needed/wanted. I help client to understand how they relate to their emotional experiences, and to develop skills to better regulate their emotions if needed/wanted. I also help clients to understand how they tend to respond in interpersonal relationships, to examine whether their current relational patterns work for them or against them, and to guide them to make changes in their relational patterns so they can have more fulfilling relationships. 

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My own experiences working with past trauma/emotional wounds showed that often past distressing experiences live in our bodies. In order to help clients to break free from the past somatically, I pay close attention to client's physiological experiences  and help them discover the impact of past trauma on their body in the present moment.  I also use body-based therapies (EMDR, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Mindfulness, etc) to help clients resolve past trauma. 

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As a BIPOC psychologist and bilingual immigrant, I have extensive experience serving clients with marginalized identities. I am curious about clients’ lived experiences and want to honor their cultural experiences. I strive to respect client's identities and create a space where clients feel comfortable being their true selves. I help clients explore how contextual factors, such as microaggression, discrimination, or systematic injustice etc., may have affected their experiences. I support clients in breaking barriers and living up to their full potentials.

If you think we are a good fit, feel free to contact me to schedule a free brief consult!