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Counselor, MA, LMHC
I am a licensed mental health counselor in Washington State. I was born in Tacoma to parents from Cambodia and Vietnam who were displaced by war. My perspective and values have been shaped by my family’s story of survival and resilience as well as my own experience navigating cultural differences. This has helped me develop a love of stories, an appreciation for different lived experiences, and an ability to navigate through discomfort that informs and shapes my work as a therapist.
I am a 2nd generation American of mixed Vietnamese, Khmer, and Teochew Chinese ancestry. I identify as a cis woman of the Southeast Asian diaspora. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time in community spaces, growing food in my garden, and cooking for family and friends.
Therapeutic Approach
I take a client-centered, strengths-based approach that aims to empower clients with a deeper understanding of themselves. I do not adhere to a particular psychotherapeutic modality, but draw from many interventions depending on the needs and situation of each client. This may mean that I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for short-term issues while providing Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) for challenges related to relationships.
My theoretical orientation is rooted in psychodynamic, multicultural, feminist, and ecological frameworks. This means that I integrate clients’ lived experience, cultural values, intersectional identities, and both past and current environments in my therapy approach to support clients in their healing process.
My clinical interests are in intergenerational trauma, Asian Pacific Islander communities, masculinity & men’s issues, anxiety, depression and other mood disorders, family and/or relationship conflict, loneliness, bicultural/multicultural challenges, community-focused healing, and immigrant & refugee experiences.
Experience
I received my Bachelor’s of Arts degree from the University of Washington and my Master’s of Arts in Psychology at Seattle University. I completed my internship at Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) where I worked with the Southeast Asian Young Men and Women’s group and counseled BIPOC adolescents living in South Seattle. Prior to completing my graduate degree, I worked in clinical research at the University of Washington Medical Center. I have also worked in various community mental health organizations, including a methadone clinic, crisis/suicide services, and a Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) team, where I provided evidenced-based and recovery-oriented services to clients living with severe mental illness. Since transitioning to private practice, I’ve also collaborated with community organizations in the Puget Sound area to provide mental health psychoeducation, outreach, and consultation.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LH 61355801) in Washington State
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
As the daughter of Southeast Asian refugees, I have firsthand experience living between cultures and navigating inherited trauma and intersectional identities. From both a professional and personal perspective, I believe in the spirit of human resilience and the ability to heal through storytelling.
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