New to Grow
I’m a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a 1st-generation immigrant myself, I deeply understand the cultural, family and career pressures experienced by Asian American adults and professionals. I specialize in therapy for individuals in the San Francisco Bay Area and across California. I received my masters and doctoral degrees from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and completed my internship at the Los Angeles County of Department of Mental Health and my postdoctoral residency at Kaiser Permanente, Santa Clara. I have 15 years of experience working with teenagers, adults and families and specialize in working with anxiety, depression and people who are experiencing significant life transitions (changes in work, family, health, etc.) In my free time, I enjoy traveling, camping with my family, crocheting and spending time outdoors and loving on my cat, Tahoe. To learn more about me and my approach, check out https://www.sarayap.com
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, we’ll explore what brings you to therapy, your current concerns, and parts of your history that help me understand the patterns shaping your life. My goal is to get a full picture of your unique needs in a way that feels supportive and not overwhelming. By the end of the session, we’ll talk through your goals and identify specific, meaningful steps you can begin taking to create movement in your life.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My approach is practical, collaborative, and focused on meaningful change. In our first few sessions, we’ll clarify your goals and create a clear, doable plan to help you reach them. I’ll guide you in understanding your patterns, managing your emotions, and improving how you navigate relationships even if they are complicated. Together, we’ll explore ways to move through life’s challenges and transitions in a way that feels aligned with your values. I use evidence based approaches like CBT, DBT, and ACT, and most clients begin to experience symptom improvement within 6 to 12 sessions.
Attachment-based
Our work helps you understand where your relationship patterns come from and how they shape your life today. By strengthening self-attachment and self-compassion, you’ll be better able to build secure, fulfilling relationships with the people around you.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I help clients make sense of their current challenges by exploring new perspectives and learning skills to navigate discomfort with more ease. Together, we work on building a healthier relationship with your thoughts, staying present instead of stuck in worry, and moving toward a life guided by your values and what matters most to you.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I help clients understand their behaviors and recognize patterns that may no longer be serving them. Together, we build practical coping skills to reduce reactivity to stress, strengthen emotional regulation, and improve communication. Our work focuses on increasing self-efficacy and self-advocacy so you can feel more effective in your relationship with yourself and in your relationships with others.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
All of the interventions I use are grounded in understanding that everyone comes from unique and different backgrounds which inherently shape and inform one's experiences in life. I personalize treatment to ensure your needs are specifically tended to and that your perspective on life is fully incorporated in a way that makes change realistic and fulfilling for you.