Seeing a therapist may sound intimidating, but sharing your story with a supportive professional allows your story to be heard and seen. I believe with holistic support throughout the sessions, you are able to embrace your own resilience which motivates you to take the lead in your journey.

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Art Therapy

In art therapy, making pretty things is not a priority. Art therapy is more about how we use art to express ourselves and our perspectives. Art-making is a mindful and fun process in a contained space to engage in your internal world with sensations and somatic experiences. As we explore your artwork, we gain deeper insights into the story behind your art. Once we allow those discomforts to speak to us, we are able to make sense of it and eventually have compassion for ourselves. I will hold a safe space for you to trust our therapeutic alliance so you will connect your creativity and curiosity through art. 

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Emotional Disturbance

Many people did not have a chance to learn how to regulate emotions effectively, often suppressing "negative emotions" like anxiety, depression, worry, anger, and jealousy. Yet, these emotions carry valuable insights; healthy anxiety can prepare us for the future, and suppressed anger serves as a self-defense mechanism in response to unfair treatment, albeit with the concern that it may harm others if unleashed. Suppressed emotions don't vanish; they manifest in our bodies, sometimes leaving us emotionally numb with physical symptoms like stomachaches or chest tightness. Over time, this suppression forms defense mechanisms like self-criticism, victimhood narratives, perfectionism, and dissociation.

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I'm here to help you to understand why specific emotions surface at certain moments. For those struggling to feel emotions, art therapy provides a secure outlet, allowing the release of suppressed feelings non-verbally. By learning to acknowledge emotions and their physical cues, we naturally find ways to accept and manage them.
 

Developmental Trauma

Developmental trauma refers to the accumulation of chronic and multiple events during the growth process, such as trauma within the family, childhood trauma, long-term emotional neglect, cross-generational trauma, trauma within LGBTQIA+ communities, or social and cultural roles and expectations. Our interactions with the external world influence our self-worth. It may lead to habitual people-pleasing in relationships, unconsciously shouldering emotional burdens, or feeling the need for external validation for emotional security, or even experiencing somatic pains as Dr. Van der Kolk aptly stated, 'The body keeps the score.', or developing different Parts to respond the external threats. I will assist you in exploring internal conflicts, repairing the negative impacts of developmental trauma experiences, reorganizing cognitive patterns in the brain, and addressing emotional experiences in the body. You will learn to regulate your inner conflicts and connect with others more affirmatively and openly.

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Intimate Relationships and Couples Therapy

We all have the desire to be heard and seen in our relationships. I provide individual counseling for intimate relationships and couples therapy, grounded in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). EFT integrates attachment theory, emotional regulation, and experiential approaches. If you've ever experienced a situation where a disagreement escalated into more conflicts or found yourself frequently engaged in vague arguments etc., these common patterns are well-suited for EFT. It enables us to gradually untangle these patterns, understand each other's expectations and needs in the relationship, clarify thoughts and feelings, practice enhanced communication, and ultimately work towards relationship repair or peaceful closure. I have received extensive training in NYCEFT, specializing in addressing issues within AAPI and LGBTQIA+ couples and cross-cultural relationship challenges.
 

Personal Growth

Have you ever thought about how challenging it is for an individual to grow up? During our school years, we undergo pressure to excel in academics or showcase our talents. After graduation, we start to focus on achievements while dealing with society's expectations regarding age and gender roles. Well, life can indeed be quite tough at times. But don't worry, I'll be here to accompany you through these phases of life, helping you discover your own identity and strengths. We'll work on aspects such as self-worth, self-esteem, and self-confidence, and even explore topics like high sensitivity (HSP), introverted personalities, gender identity, and sexual orientation. We'll tackle cross-cultural adaptation, personal stress, and adjustment, as well as career transitions.