(they/them)
New to Grow
I am a Filipinx/German-American located in the Sacramento area. As a queer person, I love to queer what I do! I love being able to practice in alternative ways, such as adding expressive arts and spirituality in sessions. I love being comfortable in sessions (e.g., seated on the floor, snack nearby in case I am hungry) and hope my clients feel comfortable as well. I have a lot of energy, but can also meet you at a lower energy level as well to deepen our work. I plan on opening up an in person practice in Sacramento this Fall 2026 and am looking for folks to come in person! I thoroughly enjoy being able to do in-person work and see folks progress!
Some folks want to hit the ground running and I love that enthusiasm! However, our first few sessions are going to be information-gathering and getting to know each other. In order to help, I need to know and understand you deeply. Your honesty and openness is so appreciated in these first few sessions. I will cover logistics like what to expect (e.g., time in sessions, cancellations, guidelines for telehealth sessions, etc.) and how we will navigate safety concerns. You should get a feel of who I am and my energy in our first few sessions and if you are not feeling a fit, that is totally fine! I am not a perfect fit for everyone! I will check in regarding our fit after a few sessions and would appreciate honesty so I can either adjust for you to feel more comfortable or work to find a better fit for you! Please communicate as much as you can! I am so excited to start our work together!
In all settings, I bring the highest energy but ready to stop and listen at any moment. I am also very open so I take feedback well and love considering other perspectives and ways I can improve as a person. I am definitely the type of therapist who spends a lot of time affirming and observing, especially while building a relationship with a new client. I do challenge folks once I know them well enough and see patterns of maladaptive behavior and thought, though that takes time. I take my time sharing my own experiences because I want you to feel like this is YOUR session. Yet if it feels appropriate, I may self-disclose my experience so you feel less alone.
I work well with folks who are motivated to do the work with me! I enjoy being creative and finding ways to explore and process things (in the work I give for outside of sessions, expressive arts, utilizing local resources and community). Working with kids is always fun with their energy, and working with adults offers a lot of insight and perspective that I enjoy.
Other specialties
I identify as
Trauma-Focused CBT
This is a therapy designed for children and adolescents to work together with their parents/caregivers in processing a difficult event. I have applied it with work with adults over telehealth and found it to be helpful for them too! I love being able to bring a creative aspect to it. It can be completed in 8-12 sessions. Overall, I take the themes of CBT in other parts of my work, especially the relaxation and coping skills.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I have used and experienced DBT as both a client and a clinician. I have run several DBT groups, but I can also provide individual handouts and do the work with folks, depending if they could benefit from any of the four areas: distress tolerance, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and/or mindfulness.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
As a person of mixed heritage and having lived in other countries, I understand the complex relationships one can have with their identity. I also understand how microaggressions from others because of our identities also impacts our ability to connect and see ourselves. I enjoy exploring the impact our cultures have on us in our treatment, growth, and progress, with the hope of reconnecting with our cultures in a way that can bring us strength and community.
EMDR
I will be completing training for EMDR by the end of June 2026 and can begin work for single-event traumas starting July 2026. By Fall 2026 I should be able to begin processing more complex traumas.
Gender-affirming therapy
I am a queer therapist myself, but that means more than just respecting a person's pronouns and having lived experience. I understand deeply the cultural and historic context of transphobia in the United States and the fears that someone may encounter, long before coming out. I never force folks to come out but can work with safety planning (including if they are outed prematurely), finding a community and connection with others, and explore ways they may have internalized their shame. There are so many wonderful ways of being and I want to be here to celebrate them all!