Relational Therapy for Adults

“Another thing that got forgotten was the fact that against all probability a sperm whale had suddenly been called into existence several miles above the surface of an alien planet. And since this is not a naturally tenable position for a whale, this poor innocent creature had very little time to come to terms with its identity as a whale before it then had to come to terms with not being a whale any more.”

–Douglas Adams

{Text Styled Differently for Quote}

What is this place?

Therapy is truly an odd place. It is a social, emotional, and mental experience unlike any other. You are plucked from your life and placed in a room or screen where the attention is focused on you. This can be daunting, intimidating, and debilitating, but also transformative, fascinating, and full of wonder, opportunity, and generative curiosity. 

I’m drawn to your stories. The stories of yourself, the stories you tell yourself, the stories you tell others, the stories of the people in your life, the stories of the world around you. In these stories are the richness and depth that make us human, an essential element to therapy. My priority and effort will be towards being with you in your story, to create a space and an actual relationship that is for you and no one else. 

{Image, Possibly incorporated into the paragraph below}

What am I doing?

I do not use structured cookie cutter frameworks nor quick solutions. I do not use textbook jargon that can feel intimidating and contrived. Sometimes in our lives, our culture, our families, and our systems ask that we be machines like everyone else, regurgitating what everyone else is telling us to do. I fundamentally believe that we are not robots or machines, but human beings that are nuanced and layered. My attempt will be to question these systems, and build a space and relationship that goes beyond just “getting by” and “feeling better” and “achieving the system.” We are told if we do X, Y, and Z, we will achieve A, B, and C, but sometimes that does not work, it fails us. Then what happens?

What am I thinking?/Where am I?

I’m inspired by going beyond finding the “fix” or the “resolve.” At times like this I consider the god Hermes, the god who led souls to the underworld, the psychopomp, the only god who can travel between the under and over world. Hermes does not judge, nor does he save, but merely is a companion in the transitions through life. It can be jarring to look at yourself in the mirror, seeing all the blackheads, pimples, and wrinkles that only you and no one else notices. Life sometimes makes no sense, and the feelings of being lost are sometimes the most genuine experience we can feel. My hope is to make this process more manageable. I endeavor to be with you in your lostness, whatever that may be. 

Who am I?

I grew up in San Francisco, and moved to New York for undergrad, where I studied in an Individualized Studies program, concentrating on Marketing and Visual Media Studies. At that time, my interest in fashion sparked, and I interned and worked with a variety of fashion designers and companies. As fun and sometimes fabulous as it was, I began reflecting on my passions and interests, and was continuously drawn to relationships, the nuances of the human experiences, and the stories that we tell ourselves and each other. I wanted to go beyond the normatives that we as a society have collectively accepted, and create a space in which we examine, question, and explore what it means to be human. 

{Design Element - Section Break}

I then moved back to San Francisco and studied at the California Institute of Integral Studies, where I received my Masters in Counseling Psychology. My experience has included community mental health organizations serving underprivileged individuals and public high school-based settings in San Francisco. My experience has led me to build a practice that is catered to the individual experience. I strive to meet you where you are, and to work with you to develop a space that supports your needs, wherever that may be. 

{Image Here}

Where to go from here? 

- Areas of Focus/Interest: Anxiety, Depression, High Functioning Existential Angst, Family Dynamics and Systems, Boundaries (Codependency/Counterdependency), Life Transitions, Grief, Sexuality and Kink, Gender Exploration, Career Counseling, Compulsive Maladaptive Coping Patterns, Queer Dynamics and Experiences, Loneliness, Asian/Asian American Dynamics and Experiences. 

- $240 per 50 minutes individual psychotherapy session. At this time, I am looking to work with adult individuals. I don’t accept insurance, but am happy to provide a superbill that can be used to seek out-of-network reimbursement from your insurance company. 

{Image Here}

Say Hey:

{Font References}