I am a bilingual (Mandarin) Clinical Psychologist based in Bridgeport, Chicago. I earned my doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University (CA) and I have six years of experience working at various outpatient settings and with an ethnically diverse population. I really enjoy working with neurodivergent clients across the lifespan and help them navigate the balance between being their genuine self and adapting to the changing world. Please note: I provide in-person therapy on Tuesdays and Fridays while I provide telehealth appointments throughout the week.
The first session is usually 60 minutes long and I use open-ended questions to gather information about the chief concerns and the expectations client or their caregivers have for therapy. For child clients, the first session will be focusing on interviewing the parent/caregiver first and if time allows, I will introduce myself to the child. For children under 10 years old, I will utilize a lot of play therapy as children find it more comfortable working through their inner conflicts through play. If this is your first time seeking therapy, I will orient you to the process of therapy and discuss confidentiality and its limit. The first session mainly focuses on getting to know you and exploring your concerns, your strengths, your interpersonal styles and your support system.
I tailor my approach to the specific needs of my client and I use a collaborative approach in designing the treatment plan with my client. As a therapist trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, my style is warm and straightforward. I also focus on client's strengths and I believe one of the goals for therapy is learning to embrace one's own identity and regain hope for a better self and a better future.
I utilize the CBT framework to help my client understand the underlying thoughts and beliefs behind the difficult feelings and help client see that their thoughts/feelings/actions are all connected.
I believe that changes can only happen when my client is prepared for them. Motivational interviewing allows to work with clients who might still be ambivalent about changes (especially changing their behaviors) but are willing to explore the pros and cons of changes.
I have always enjoyed using play technique and different forms of art to help my child/adolescent client to explore their feelings and navigate their relationships with peers, teachers and parents. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing my child client learning how to manage strong feelings and build confidence in achieving his/her own goals.