Having a strong and authentic connection with your therapist is one of the greatest predictors of success. Sometimes it can be tough trying to figure out how to find the "right fit." Learning more about me and how I practice is a good place to start.

With over 16 years of experience, I work with individuals, couples, and groups motivated for personal growth and change in their lives precipitated by a diverse range of concerns. These include depression, anxiety, stage of life, and interpersonal relationship concerns. I'm passionate about what I do and truly believe in the power of therapy to effect positive change. I count myself lucky to love my job and feel honored to be allowed into the lives of the individuals and couples who enter my office.

As I reflect on the steps I’ve taken to get where I am in my career today, I can see a direct line from my personal life to my professional life. When I was still in college, I had some life-changing experiences as a camp counselor at Double “H” - Hole in the Woods Ranch, a camp founded by Paul Newman serving children and teens with serious medical issues. It was at camp that I discovered my passion for engaging with others in an emotionally depthful way - hoping to impart some well-being through joy and connection. This led me to starting my psychotherapy career working with children and families infected or affected by HIV/AIDS here in Washington, DC.

Along the way, I was experiencing life as a young adult - creating friendships, dating, getting dumped, falling in love, working at a relationship, and having children (plus a dog!). My practice followed suit; I began working with adults struggling with life’s difficulties including fertility and parenting and couples feeling disconnected from one another.

One of the values I hold as a therapist is to continuously grow and learn. As I took new steps in my practice, I committed to increasing my skillset through trainings and certifications.

I have engaged in extensive advanced training in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy, created by Dr. Sue Johnson. I completed an externship with Sue Johnson and George Faller as well as Core Skills Advanced Training with Kathryn Rheem. The philosophy of EFT speaks to me as a human being with emotions and needs, specifically the need or longing for safety, security, and connection. In EFT, it's not each partner in the relationship that is at fault but the pattern of interaction. In session, we identify the negative cycle you’re stuck in and introduce new ways of relating that feel organic and replicable outside the therapist's office. Ultimately, the goal of therapy is to repair and strengthen a secure and lasting bond between partners.

I have a special interest in working with people struggling with fertility, prenatal anxiety and depression, and adjustment to parenthood. As a mother myself, I've experienced first-hand some of the unique ways in which having a baby awakens deep anxiety, particularly as sleep is elusive and the dinner dishes pile ever higher. No one should have to struggle alone, I can help. As a member of Postpartum Support International, I've completed PSI and 2020 Mom's Maternal Mental Health certificate training and am equipped to work effectively with you to both survive and thrive throughout pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and becoming a new parent. I am also a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and have completed several courses on the intersection of mental health and infertility.

I am on my way towards receiving certification in the practice of EMDR therapy - an evidence based practice for the treatment of trauma. I have completed training with Lisa Hayes and the Institute for Creative Mindfulness in the practice of EMDR therapy. My training cohort was specifically for BIPOC therapists and shed light on the unique challenges of providing services to BIPOC clients. As an Asian therapist, I utilize my perspective and personal understanding of the challenges Asians face in American society and can address the intersection of race and varied mental and emotional health concerns. For example, my Asian postpartum clients may need more nuanced direction on setting boundaries with parents who are likely immigrants or refugees to the United States than my clients coming from more traditional Western backgrounds. This is where cultural humility comes into the therapy sessions. For more information, click here.

I've also expanded my repertoire of treatment tools to include the practice of mindfulness meditation. Research on mindfulness meditation has been shown to be effective in the treatment of a wide range of emotional and mental distress. I have completed training with Dr. Ron Siegel in using mindfulness - awareness of present experience with acceptance - as a tool within psychotherapy and where clients may be interested in delving further into this area, I am happy to assist.

I am a Yoga Alliance registered Yoga Instructor. My yoga teacher training has given me a unique insight into the link between the mind, body, and spirit. When appropriate and with interested clients, I use my yoga training to teach my clients simple methods of relaxation and physical grounding when anxiety and stress become too heavy to handle.

I consider myself to be a strengths-based practitioner. I truly believe in the power inherent within you to gain insight into your problems and take the steps required to make lasting change. Sometimes, however, you many need some support and assistance to recognize your personal strengths and encouragement to trust in yourself. In therapy, I provide support, insight and practical feedback to help you effectively address your personal life challenges. With respect and empathy, I tailor my therapeutic approach to your needs and goals while seeking trust, cooperation, and partnership in order to achieve a productive professional relationship.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Education

MSW from Columbia University, New York, NY
BA from Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME

License, Certifications, and Memberships

District of Columbia Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Commonwealth of Virginia Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Maryland Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical
EMDR Therapist in Training through the Institute for Creative Mindfulness 2021
PSI/2020 Mom Professional Maternal Mental Health Certificate Training
Core Skills Advanced Training in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy
Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy Externship with Sue Johnson
Yoga Alliance registered 200 hr RYT Yoga Instructor
Member: National Association of Social Work
Member: Postpartum Support International
Member: Women’s Mental Health Consortium of Washington, DC

Experience
Couples
Grief and Bereavement
Domestic Violence
Racial and Cultural Competency
Physical Health Concerns
HIV/AIDS
Children and Teens
Depression
Life Transitions - college and young adulthood
Fertility
Anxiety and Social Anxiety
Parenting
Self-care/Burnout
Anger Management
Relationship Issues
Family Relationship Issues
Clinical Supervision for Clinicians
and more