My Story

My family migrated to the United States during the post–Vietnam War era, between the late 1980s and early 1990s, while Vietnam was trying to rebuild itself as a socialist republic and the quality of life there was poor. I witnessed firsthand, within my own refugee community in Southern California where I grew up, the impact of generational trauma among children of immigrants, many of whom are now adults and parents themselves. Many of us grew up in achievement-driven cultures that encouraged productivity but ignored the importance of emotional regulation, self-care, and balancing work with life stressors. Many of us modeled our coping after our caregivers and the adults around us, adults who themselves were unable to cope with their own trauma, depression, and anxiety. The need for mental health services is now at an all-time high. Mental health care, support, and counseling continue to be in demand as people recognize how much neglecting mental health can negatively impact their lives. My heart goes out to those who grew up not knowing their parents’ untreated and undiagnosed mental illnesses.

Growing up, I have always been curious about the inner workings of our minds. Why do we do what we do and feel what we feel? I loved listening to people’s life stories and how their past affects their present, so I gravitated toward a career in psychology and mental health counseling where I can listen to people’s life stories and use that understanding to help them at the same time. Through observation, training, and research, I believe that the world did not come equipped with the ability to cope with stress, depression, anxiety, and trauma. Sixteen years ago, research in psychology was already showing that mental health care would be a growing need because so many lives had been impacted by untreated mental illness; however, it would take over a decade for our nation and government to implement the programs and make them accessible to us all. This was my calling, and I knew that people would one day recognize that our mental health is just as important as our physical health. As a society, we have been taught to ignore our feelings, be strong for others, and neglect our mental health to prioritize work, productivity, and putting others first; all while managing the ups and downs of life as life happens to us. Living life and managing it can be overwhelming at times; however, it should not come at a cost to our mental and physical health. We need to take care of ourselves first in order for us to do what we need for our loved ones and our community. 

My Approach

In my practice, I take an integrative approach that considers both mental and physical health to support my clients’ overall well-being. My experiences include working with clients in community mental health, healthcare inpatient and outpatient settings, and private practice, providing virtual telehealth services.

I specialize in generational trauma, using mental health treatment approaches such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and the strengths-based approach.

The ideal client for me would be those who struggle with generational trauma and dysfunctional family dynamics, need help breaking the cycle, and are willing to commit to attending weekly therapy to do their own inner healing work. Therapy with me will be a collaborative approach to guide you through life’s challenges, recognize the underlying root causes of unhealthy thought or behavior patterns, and help you create the change you want to achieve in a safe and supportive space.