Hello. I am so glad you are here. Are you going through a challenging time in your life? Do you seek distractions to keep you from confronting your innermost thoughts and feelings? Perhaps you feel alone since you believe nobody will understand you and there is nobody you can trust. When problems remain unresolved, negative feelings can bog you down such as frustration, anger and hopelessness. Life loses its luster. Your relationships, work, or health suffers. You put on a front to appear "normal." These are signs to take the first step towards healing and change. I am here to tell you that you are not alone. I will listen to your story and empower you with a voice. I will nurture all that is good in you as you blossom into the best version of your Self. I love to work with teenagers, adults and families. I graduated from John F. Kennedy University specializing in Transpersonal Psychology. Transpersonal therapy aims to integrate the spiritual, social, emotional, intellectual, physical and creative aspects of the Self while viewing emotional dysfunction as opportunity for self awareness and development. I grew up in the Philippines and I speak Tagalog. I am fully trained in EMDR and Brainspotting and provide trauma informed care. I am also a California certified sexual assault counselor.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Our initial session will be spent discussing your concerns and goals for therapy. I want you to feel comfortable. I provide a safe, supportive and non-judgemental space where you are free to explore difficult and unwanted emotions. Aside from providing emotional support, I use interventions that can help you be more grounded - mindfulness, guided visualization, dream work, expressive art, journaling, enneagram, tarot. You will learn healthy communication skills, build healthy boundaries, acquire new perspectives and find coping strategies to create a more balanced life and a healthier state of mind.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
My goal is to help you heal. My approach to therapy is humanistic and psychodynamic. Humanistic therapy is a mental health approach that emphasizes the importance of being your true self in order to lead the most fulfilling life. The goals of psychodynamic therapy are 1) client self-awareness and 2) understanding that the past can influence present behaviors. I interweave evidence based therapies such as cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavior and acceptance and commitment therapy. EMDR and Brainspotting are used with clients who would like to process distressing life experiences/trauma and difficult emotions.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My lived experience is my biggest strength. I identify as straight, Asian, immigrant, mother, third culture kid, LGBTQI ally, who has lived in the Philippines and in Canada. Living in the east and west has gifted me with a unique perspective of people, cultures and the world.