who i work with

I work with a lot of Millennials and Gen-Zers who are often frustrated by the patterns or cycles they find themselves in. Maybe they are wondering why they struggle to set boundaries in their relationships, why they’re always overcompensating or overextending, why they’re feeling intense anxiety when expressing their feelings or needs, or navigating similar situations in relationships over and over. They are so used to problem-solving for everyone else (especially as mothers), they believe everything will be better once they’ve got it all “figured out.”

The clients who have success with me understand that there isn’t a ‘quick fix’ for everything—sometimes there isn’t a solution, and that’s okay. These clients want to make intentional efforts to slow down, listen to their bodies, and honor their wants and needs. Healing is not a linear journey (or a destination), rewiring with our nervous system takes time, and sustainable changes requires effort. These clients come ready to do the work and it’s okay if they don’t know what that means yet—that’s what therapy is for!

I practice from a Person-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) lens which provides framework for challenging thoughts and beliefs that may be getting in the way of feeling aligned. Theoretics aside, I’m here to provide support, empathetic and honest guidance, and a few laughs along the way.

my specialties

  • Let’s face it— in this political, economical, and social climate, anxiety is a very valid response. We can work together to explore the main sources of anxiety, validate the feeling, and learn to listen to (and challenge) what the worries may be telling you.

  • This phrase has become super trendy amongst therapists and clients seeking therapy. Working together we’ll explore the origins of your people-pleasing tendencies. As we explore the root causes we’ll validate the worries and fears, understand the self-abandoning behaviors, and figure out how you want to show up instead.

  • You’re probably tired of navigating the same situations in relationships and dating. Maybe you find yourself in the same types of relationships over and over, feeling afraid to commit, or picking apart every relationship (even the really good ones). Together we will explore your relationships in the past and present to better understand why you’ve learned certain patterns and behaviors and how you’d like to navigate relationships moving forward.

  • The girls who get it, get it! Motherhood is freakin HARD. Maybe you learned how to take care of your kids, but not how to also prioritize yourself. You’re constantly putting everyone else’s needs first and that’s exhausting. Here we can start to discover ways for you to take yourself off the back burner. I know as moms we want to have it all figured out ASAP— but small change is still change.

my clients experience these main issues:

  • The eldest daughter can take on so many roles— being a caretaker, mediator, role model, and learning how to navigate familial pressures from such a young age. As a clinician I see that a lot of people-pleasing starts here. I want to hold space for fellow eldest daughters because this is tough stuff.

  • Becoming a mother is such an honor and comes with a lot of really difficult stuff to juggle. You are constantly caring for others and often feeling like the cup is half-full for yourself. I want to walk with you as you figure out how to pour into yourself again.

  • As an Asian American, daughter of an immigrant, and person who exists in a blended-race family I can offer shared insights, understanding of cultural nuances, and hopefully reduce the need to explain or justify certain experiences.

  • As part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I understand that it helps to have someone with a similar identity to understand the unique struggles of intersectionality.

  • I love holding space for those who are constantly giving, doing, and being so much for others.

i work especially well with:

*if I haven’t listed a specialty area here, it doesn’t mean I don’t work with those presenting concerns or issues—this is just the short list of what I choose to focus on.