What is therapy/counseling?

 

I believe that psychotherapy is an opportunity and a process allowing you to understand yourself better and help you gain new perspectives.

​

A few characteristics of participating in counseling include understanding and working on your underlying issues/emotional pain, being mindful about what you are experiencing, and working on effective coping skills. 
 

I do not 'fix' challenges that clients have been experiencing; I 'assist' clients in healing their emotional pain. Throughout psychotherapy, we work 'together' to work on your challenges and symptoms. I believe that in my counseling, it is important for you to be motivated and be willing to want to change yourself.

​

In my services, I always respect and honor your decision. I suggest the treatment plans that would fit you. We will work together.

​

​

Examples of why people seek counseling:

• Feeling tired and concerned about interpersonal relationships at work/school

• Easily anxious and worried. Easily becoming tense.

• Worried and obsessive about certain things (i.e. repeatedly making sure the doors are locked/stove is turned off).

• Feeling depressed and having low energy

• Having a difficult time adjusting to the current situation due to language and cultural differences.

• Feeling isolated due to the lack of having close friends and family

• Being homesick. Not enjoying current situation. Feeling down.

• Having wild mood swings and anxiety during pregnancy

• Not adjusting to the new phase of life after having a baby. Feeling isolated and sad. Becoming tearful and feeling anxious.

• Misunderstanding each other due to language/cultural differences in international marriage/cross-cultural relationships.

• Having lost a pet. Grieving and having difficulty focusing.  

​

​

Examples of expected outcomes of counseling:

• Having healthier interpersonal relationships including family, couple, and work relationships

• Stable mood

• Being more cheerful

• Being less anxious/worried and knowing how to cope with anxiety

• Being more focused which can lead to better academic/work performance

• Having a better quality of sleep

• Being less irritated

• Enjoying parenting

• Becoming more relaxed

• Understanding cognitive patterns and beliefs

• Understanding and liking self

​

​

How do I know if you are the right therapist for me?
In counseling, it is very important to find the right therapist for you. You may be able to tell if I am the right fit for you on the phone during a 15-minute-free-consultation. It may take a few sessions for you to have a sense whether I'm the right fit for you. 

​

Here are some things to consider: You feel that you are supported and heard by me. You and I built a good rapport/connection. You feel that I am empathetic. In addition, if the issue(s) you would like to address is listed in my clinical focus, I may be the right fit for you. Please click here to read my clinical focus.

​

​

I am NOT the right fit for you if the following applies to you:
•    You are/recently were a danger to yourself or a danger to others.
•    You are/recently were in an urgent crisis or an emergency situation due to a psychiatric reason.
•    You have been diagnosed with a severe mental illness, or if you have been advised to be in psychological supervision or psychiatric care.
•    You require intensive mental health services.
•    You are required to receive therapy by a court order or by any other authority.
•    If the identified client is a minor, all of the minor's legal guardians do not consent for the minor's treatment.

​

​

​

Typically, you would feel better quicker if you start counseling when your symptoms are not severe. Please do not wait until your symptoms get worse because your feeling will become more painful and the issues you have been experiencing will get more complex.

​
 

​

​

If you are looking to heal your emotional pain, not a quick fix,
let’s take a small step TODAY.
I will be with you.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​