Hello! I'm Thu. I am a bilingual/bicultural Vietnamese Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in California with more than a decade of experience in mental health. I obtained my Masters in Social Work from the University of Chicago and have worked with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults across various settings. Beginning therapy can feel overwhelming as you navigate your emotions and seek support. Finding the right mental health therapist to guide you on your path to self-discovery and healing can be even more challenging. I prioritize your emotional safety and create a safe, empathetic, and non-judgmental environment. Tailoring my eclectic approach with a blend of CBT and DBT, I aim to address your unique needs and aid you in gaining insight, developing coping strategies, and fostering personal growth. I offer support, guidance, and tools to help you manage difficult emotions, enhance relationships, and improve your overall well-being. If I am unable to meet your needs, I will assist you in finding a suitable therapist.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our initial session, I will conduct a psychosocial assessment to discuss your motivations for seeking therapy, your personal background, current obstacles, and therapy objectives. I aim to gain a deeper understanding of your issues, feelings, experiences, circumstances, and evaluate what you are looking to gain from therapy. Additionally, I will go over and discuss confidentiality, my therapeutic methods, and the expectations for upcoming sessions. In essence, the primary therapy session is centered on fostering rapport, defining goals, and establishing a secure environment for open communication and cooperation between the client and therapist.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Due to my eclectic professional experiences, I possess a balanced professional skill set and an innate ability to establish, develop, and maintain rapport with my clients. My goal is to ensure that each client receives the best possible care and outcome. I have been repeatedly told that my calm demeanor and genuine desire to help people have made a difference with many of the clients that I have worked with. It's important to feel a positive connection with your therapist. Trust your instincts and choose someone with whom you feel comfortable and supported.
About Thu Phan
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is a core modality that I use regularly in my practice to help patients of all ages and from all walks of life. I often use this therapeutic approach to help patients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. By addressing maladaptive beliefs and behaviors, CBT can help patients develop healthier coping strategies, improve emotional regulation, and ultimately achieve better mental well-being and overall quality of life.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I was trained in DBT in 2020 by a pupil of Dr. Linehan, and since then this modality has been an essential part of my therapeutic practice. I use this modality to help my patients by focusing and teaching the four core skills to help patients learn to manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and cope with stress in healthier ways. By combining acceptance and change strategies, DBT can help patients develop a greater sense of control over their emotions and behaviors, leading to improved emotional regulation, and overall well-being.
Eclectic
Along with my core methods of DBT and CBT, I often incorporate an eclectic approach drawing on my years of experience in the social services field, mental health field, and as a medical LCSW.