My connection with psychology began in high school, when I was living alone in the U.S. for the first time. I took an introductory psychology class and was completely drawn in. Even though my parents hoped I would study business, I chose to follow my own curiosity and step onto the path of counseling. There were moments of doubt along the way, but I’ve never regretted that decision.

During my time doing peer-support work, I realized how many young people were struggling silently. Their pain was often too complex to fit into a quick conversation, and what they truly lacked was a safe, nonjudgmental space where they could speak freely. Simply being understood and being met with empathy made a real difference for them, and that experience shaped the way I wanted to work as a therapist.

When I worked with couples and families, I saw how deeply our early environments shape the way we love, communicate, and relate. A child who grows up in a family where emotions are rarely acknowledged may become someone who doesn’t know how to express themselves in adulthood, becoming a “people pleaser” instead, rooted in early wounds around self-worth. In relationships, when one partner becomes avoidant and the other increasingly anxious, old childhood patterns resurface: the unseen child, the unheard emotions, the longing for connection. These patterns can carry their own form of trauma.

Working with BIPOC clients taught me even more about trauma, especially the kind that accumulates over years within systemic structures. Trauma isn’t always a single event; sometimes it is the dozens of smaller wounds that were never addressed, gradually piling up until someone no longer recognizes why they feel so overwhelmed. I also learned that empathy alone isn’t always enough. As the saying goes, “the body keeps the score.” The brain and nervous system hold patterns long after the mind tries to move on. This is why I pursued EMDR. I want to integrate scientific, evidence-based tools to help clients process trauma in a way that feels safe and sustainable.

My work with individuals struggling with eating disorders has further deepened my understanding. I’ve seen how someone’s relationship with food often reflects so much more than body image. It reflects a deep sense of low self-esteem, a way of masking emotions, a need for control, perfectionistic pressure, or an attempt to cope with emptiness and uncertainty. Bingeing may temporarily soothe, but often comes with self-blame and shame. Purging can reflect a fractured relationship with self-worth. Beneath all of this lies a complicated web of family dynamics, cultural expectations, and inner emotional landscapes. Exploring these layers with my clients and helping them rebuild a healthier sense of order, nourishment, and self-trust has become deeply meaningful to me.

Across all these experiences, my understanding of therapy has slowly expanded. From high school to now, I’ve grown step by step, supported by the people I’ve met and the stories clients have trusted me with. And I hope to continue growing alongside the clients I work with, to explore, to understand, and to heal together.

During our work together, I provide a warm, private, and safe space where your confidentiality is taken very seriously. Even if you were referred by a friend or colleague, your personal information will not be shared under any circumstance. I want to make sure therapy never interferes with your work, your relationships, or any other part of your life.

We will move at the pace that feels right for you. In our first session, we’ll explore your background, what you’re struggling with right now, and what you hope to gain from therapy so we can establish a clear direction together. I won’t pressure you to complete “homework” or do anything you’re not comfortable with, though if you find exercises helpful, I’m always happy to offer resources.

My intention is to support you in gently reconnecting with your emotions, your body, and your sense of self, while creating a space where you feel understood, grounded, and safe to explore.

I hope that over time you’ll feel comfortable sharing with me and trusting me. I know trust takes time, and there’s no rush, but I believe that as we work together, you’ll begin to feel safe enough to explore and uncover many possibilities with me. I also hope that in our conversations, we can both stay open-minded and curious, willing to slow down and notice what comes up within ourselves.

To me, therapy is a process of gently taking yourself apart and putting yourself back together again. It can bring discomfort, sadness, or moments when things feel like they’re falling apart. But this, too, is part of learning how to love yourself again. And when the pieces come back together, you may meet a new version of yoursel, one that feels more whole, aligned, and grounded.

By the way, I have a little cat, and he may occasionally stop by to say hello during our sessions :D

I view being a therapist as a lifelong learning process. I regularly attend professional trainings and workshops in evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT, EFT, and trauma-focused approaches including EMDR. I’m currently deepening my knowledge in trauma treatment and culturally responsive care. I also value collaboration with supervisors and other clinicians, as these conversations expand my perspective and allow me to provide more nuanced, integrative support for my clients.

One belief that shapes my work is that therapy is not about “fixing” people, but about creating space for deeper self-understanding and connection. I don’t see emotional pain as something to eliminate, but as something to listen to. It often holds meaning and direction. I also believe healing doesn’t always look linear or comfortable; growth sometimes comes from allowing contradictions and discomfort to exist. This perspective challenges the idea that progress in therapy must always look positive or goal-oriented.