
I am a mixed Chinese and white second generation immigrant/American. I am a licensed clinical social worker, certified perinatal mental health specialist, and practicing mental health therapist since 2013. I use a practical and skills-based approach, informed primarily by Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness to help clients recognize ineffective patterns of behavior and connect with their values to guide meaningful change. That’s a mouthful of therapist speak. It means that I’m really good at giving clients the practical tools they need to become self-aware, confident in their decision-making, adaptable, effective even when experiencing painful emotions, and ultimately more successful at changing behavior so they can build and sustain fulfilling lives. You can check out Testimonials or my Credentials for some back up to these claims.
I’ve worked in a lot of settings (community mental health, shelter, hospital, intensive outpatient/school, group private practice, and now in my own private practice) and I used to be a bit of a workhorse. In order to live by my values (modeling what I teach!), I moved into private practice so I could be more present and engaged in my family life, joyful and active in my personal life, and effective and compassionate in my work life. I work well with folks who want these things too and are ready to take active steps to make it happen. Anxiety, fear, low mood, guilt, and shame often get in the way of making the changes they want to see in their lives; I help them remain effective and stay true to their values, even during difficult times.
When I’m not seeing clients, I am actively balancing motherhood and family with running, biking, snowboarding, hiking the Pacific Northwest, trying new foods, listening to epic fantasy novels, and travel.