My Approach

I value collaboration and authenticity in therapy. I tend to focus on building a strong therapeutic relationship with my clients, as I believe the effectiveness of therapy is rooted in the trust and safety in our relationship. In this process, I put effort into being my authentic self, and would like to help you feel safe enough to do the same. I also hold strong curiosity about my clients’ inner worlds and experiences–I believe you know yourself the best and my role is to walk with you and help you on your journey of self-understanding, self-acceptance, and self-actualization. 

How it is like working with me

I consider myself an “active” therapist–I ask thought-provoking questions, help you attend to your feelings, explore your needs and wishes. I am conversational, use humor, and like to meet you where you are (psychologically and emotionally). I also share my observations and thoughts in sessions, and I will always check in with you to see if we are on the same page and if my understanding of you is accurate. At times, I will invite you to explore different aspects of your experiences and confront difficult feelings, and I am also mindful of your needs and readiness in that moment (which means I’d love feedback from you to make sure you continue to feel safe and comfortable in this process). My clients tend to describe me as caring, personable, and engaging.

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My specialties

• Intercultural relationship 

• Stress and burnout 

• Perfectionism 

• Trauma 

• Self-esteem 

• Anxiety 

• Life transitions 

• Identities and identity exploration

• Grief and loss 

• Experience of discrimination and bias

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My education and training

• PSYPACT certified to practice psychology in the states listed here

• Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Auburn University 

• Doctoral internship at University of Puget Sound 

• M.A. in Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology at University of Minnesota 

• Have rich teaching and training experiences in multiculturalism, implicit bias, career development, group therapy, group supervision, counseling theories, and psychological assessments.