Licensed to practice in California and accepts 14 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Life Transitions, Self Esteem and 7 more.

Isabel Nguyen

(she/her)

LCSW, 9 years of experience
Warm
Solution oriented
Intelligent
VirtualAvailable

About me

Hi there! I'm Isabel, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and psychotherapist. I work with adults who may look like they are holding everything together on the outside while feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, self-critical, or stuck on the inside. You may find yourself constantly putting others' needs before your own, overthinking your decisions, struggling with self-doubt, navigating difficult relationships, or feeling unsure how to move forward. My approach is warm, collaborative, culturally responsive, and conversational. I believe therapy should be a space where you can be honest about what you're experiencing without feeling judged or having to have everything figured out before you walk through the door. At the same time, I won't simply tell you what you want to hear. When appropriate, I will gently challenge you, help you recognize patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and encourage you to consider perspectives you may not have considered before. Together, we'll work to better understand your experiences, strengthen your relationship with yourself, and make meaningful changes that feel right for you.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Our first session will look a little different from future sessions. This initial meeting is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and determine whether we are a good fit for working together. During this time, I will review what you can expect from the therapeutic process, answer any questions you may have, and address any of your concerns. You will also have the opportunity to share your story, discuss your current challenges, and explore what you hope to gain from therapy. I know a first meeting can be quite anxiety-inducing, so I try my best to help you feel safe and comfortable enough to just be yourself. As a team, we can focus on what matters most to you and identify how therapy can best support your needs and goals. Your well-being is my top priority.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I bring a humanistic and relational approach to therapy, with an appreciation for how your experiences, relationships, culture, and environment have shaped the way you see yourself and the world around you. We'll make sense of your story, identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, clarify what matters most to you, and mend the wounds of your mind, body, and heart. Sometimes, our experiences can make it hard to speak up, let our guard down, or trust ourselves and others. You don't have to face them alone. I strive to create a space where you can feel valued, heard, and cared for while also being gently challenged when it may help you grow. As your therapist, I will be a pillar of support as you navigate life's challenges and find faith in your capacity to heal, grow, and trust again.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

You may be a good fit for therapy with me if you: * Feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or stuck, even though you may appear to have everything together on the outside * Tend to be hard on yourself or struggle with self-doubt, low self-esteem, or negative thoughts about yourself * Frequently put other people's needs before your own and have difficulty setting boundaries * Find yourself overthinking, second-guessing your decisions, or having a hard time trusting yourself * Are navigating relationship conflict, changes in relationships, or difficulty trusting and connecting with others * Struggle with managing difficult emotions or communicating what you need * Are experiencing stress, burnout, or a life transition and aren't sure how to move forward * Want to better understand yourself, build confidence, and feel more connected to the person you want to be * Are ready for a therapist who will both support you and gently challenge you when it may help you grow You don't need to know exactly what you need from therapy before starting. We can figure that out together.

Specialties

Top specialties

Anxiety

Self Esteem

Other specialties

Depression

Grief

Identifies as

Serves ages

Licensed in

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

Through ACT, I help you reconnect with what matters most to you and identify the values and needs you want to prioritize in your life. We explore areas such as work, relationships, self-care, and personal growth, while identifying what may be getting in the way of living a life that feels the most meaningful and authentic to you. Together, we develop practical goals that help you move toward the life you want, even when difficult thoughts or emotions arise.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Through CBT, I help you understand the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. We identify patterns such as self-criticism, negative thinking, overthinking, catastrophizing, or unhelpful assumptions that may be contributing to distress. Together, we help you challenge these patterns and develop healthier, more adaptive ways of thinking and responding, with the goal of building skills you can use both inside and outside of therapy.

Humanistic

Through a humanistic approach, I provide a welcoming, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard and understood. I focus on your strengths and help you develop greater self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-compassion. Together, we make space for your needs, values, identity, culture, and lived experiences as you work toward greater personal growth and a stronger sense of self.

Narrative

Through narrative therapy, I help you examine the experiences and beliefs that have shaped how you see yourself, your relationships, and your life. This can be especially helpful when you are carrying feelings such as anger, resentment, fear, grief, self-doubt, or mistrust. Together, we examine the stories you have developed about yourself and create space for new perspectives that recognize your strengths, resilience, and ability to move forward.

Relational

Through relational therapy, we explore how your past and present relationships may influence your emotions, behaviors, expectations, and sense of self. Drawing from attachment theory, I help you recognize patterns in the way you connect with yourself and others. Together, we work toward developing healthier relationships, stronger boundaries, and more secure and fulfilling connections.

, 1 ratings

1 rating with written reviews

May 15, 2026

Very attentive and understanding

Verified client, age 25-34
Review shared after session 2 with Isabel