Licensed to practice in California and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and PTSD and 10 more.
(he/him)
New to Grow
You're the expert on your own life. My role is to listen first. I believe healing begins when you feel genuinely seen, heard, and understood. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities that others may not see. They may be balancing cultural expectations, family responsibilities, demanding careers, relationship challenges, or the emotional impact of trauma, grief, or a chronic health condition. Others are navigating major life transitions and wondering how to move forward while staying true to themselves. I provide culturally responsive, client-centered therapy in both English and Mandarin. I especially enjoy working with immigrants, children of immigrants, students, young adults, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, burnout, perfectionism, relationship concerns, and life transitions. As the founder of UCLight Therapy and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I hold both master's and doctorate degrees in social work from the University at Albany, State University of New York. Over the past decade, I've taught in higher education and conducted research on the mental health of Asian American and Hispanic communities, deepening my understanding of how culture, family, and life experiences shape emotional well-being. Living with a significant medical condition has also strengthened my appreciation for grief, resilience, and hope. While everyone's journey is different, it has reinforced my commitment to creating a compassionate space where clients feel deeply understood and supported. My goal isn't simply to reduce symptoms—it's to help you reconnect with your strengths and build a life that reflects your values.
Starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if it's your first time. Many people worry that they'll have to tell their entire life story or find the "right" words to explain what they're feeling. The good news is—you don't have to. Our first session is simply a conversation. My priority is getting to know you as a person, not just your symptoms. We'll talk about what has brought you to therapy, the challenges you're facing, what's been working, what hasn't, and what you hope will be different in your life. I'll also ask about your relationships, family background, cultural experiences, strengths, and any important life events that may have shaped your journey. I believe understanding the whole person—not just the problem—is essential for meaningful therapy. Rather than rushing to solutions, we'll take time to understand the patterns that may be keeping you stuck and identify the strengths you've already used to navigate life's challenges. Together, we'll begin identifying goals that are meaningful and realistic for you. Depending on your needs, we may discuss how approaches such as EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) could support your healing. Every treatment plan is individualized because no two people—or their stories—are the same. There is never any pressure to share more than you're comfortable sharing. Therapy moves at your pace. My hope is that by the end of our first session, you'll leave feeling heard, respected, and hopeful about the path ahead. Building trust takes time, and I view our first meeting as the beginning of a collaborative relationship where we work together toward the life you want to create.
Clients often describe me as warm, calm, thoughtful, and easy to talk to. I believe one of the greatest strengths I bring is my ability to listen deeply without judgment while helping clients see patterns, strengths, and possibilities they may not yet recognize in themselves. My approach is collaborative rather than prescriptive. I don't believe therapy is about someone telling you how to live your life. You're the expert on your own life. My role is to listen first, ask thoughtful questions, provide evidence-based guidance, and help you discover solutions that fit your values and goals. I integrate EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and other evidence-based approaches to help clients process trauma, regulate emotions, strengthen relationships, develop resilience, and respond more flexibly to life's challenges. Whether we're exploring painful experiences, learning practical coping skills, or reconnecting with your values, our work is always tailored to your unique needs. In addition to my clinical training, my experience teaching in higher education and conducting research on the mental health of Asian American and Hispanic communities has deepened my understanding of how culture, family dynamics, and identity influence emotional well-being. As someone who has also adapted to a significant medical condition, I have a personal appreciation for grief, uncertainty, resilience, and hope. Those experiences have strengthened my commitment to creating a therapy space where clients feel safe enough to be honest, supported enough to grow, and empowered to move toward meaningful, lasting change. My hope is that therapy becomes more than a place to solve problems. I want it to be a place where you gain greater self-awareness, develop practical skills, reconnect with your strengths, and discover that lasting healing and growth are possible.
My ideal clients are people who have spent so much of their lives taking care of others that they've forgotten how to care for themselves. They may be balancing family expectations, cultural identity, demanding careers, relationships, or caregiving responsibilities while quietly carrying anxiety, grief, burnout, trauma, or self-doubt. On the outside, they often appear capable and resilient. On the inside, they may feel exhausted, disconnected, or unsure of how to move forward. I especially enjoy working with immigrants, children of immigrants, students, young adults, and individuals navigating major life transitions or chronic health conditions. Many of my clients are thoughtful, high-achieving people who want more than symptom relief—they want to better understand themselves, strengthen their relationships, and build a life that feels authentic and aligned with their values. My clients don't need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. They simply need to be open to exploring their experiences with curiosity and honesty. Together, we'll make sense of what's been keeping them stuck, build on their existing strengths, and develop practical tools that support meaningful, lasting change.
For clients who desire a faith-based approach, I can thoughtfully integrate Christian beliefs and values into therapy. We'll explore how your faith can support healing, resilience, and personal growth while using evidence-based therapeutic approaches. My goal is to provide care that honors both your emotional needs and your spiritual values, always at a pace and depth that feels comfortable for you.
In ACT, we don't focus on getting rid of every difficult thought or emotion. Instead, we'll work together to help you respond to life's challenges with greater flexibility, self-compassion, and resilience. As you become less stuck in unhelpful patterns, you'll be able to make choices that reflect your values and move toward the life and relationships that matter most to you.
CBT helps us understand how our thoughts influence our emotions and behaviors. Together, we'll identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, challenge unhelpful beliefs, and develop healthier ways of thinking and responding. The goal is not to think positively all the time, but to think more realistically, respond more effectively, and feel better equipped to handle life's challenges.
EMDR helps your brain naturally heal from painful or traumatic experiences that may still be affecting your life today. Rather than reliving the past, we'll work together to process difficult memories in a safe, structured way so they become less emotionally overwhelming. As healing occurs, many clients experience reduced distress, greater emotional freedom, healthier beliefs about themselves, and an increased ability to engage fully in the present.
DBT teaches practical skills for navigating life's emotional ups and downs. Together, we'll work on managing overwhelming emotions, coping with stress in healthier ways, strengthening relationships, and responding thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively. As you build these skills, you'll feel more confident, resilient, and better equipped to handle life's challenges while staying true to your values.