About Me
I am a deeply engaged, intuitive, and experiential therapist who thrives on curiosity, emotional depth, and transformation. My work is rooted in a balance of directness and warmth, helping clients uncover entrenched patterns, develop self-awareness, and create meaningful change in their lives and relationships.
I specialize in working with couples and individuals navigating relationships, life transitions, and emotional processing. My approach supports breaking old cycles, deepening connection, and developing a strong sense of agency. I emphasize self-compassion, boundary-setting, and relational awareness as key tools for emotional well-being. My therapeutic style is active and experiential. I incorporate somatic awareness, relational dynamics, and emotional processing to help clients recognize patterns and make lasting shifts. Using Gestalt-based experiments, two-chair work, and embodied interventions, I guide clients beyond insight into real, tangible change.
“I love my work and invest deeply in my training and professional growth, continuously integrating new insights to refine my approach. In sessions, I am fully present, bringing humor, curiosity, and a sharp sense of perspective to help clients feel both supported and challenged. I believe that true transformation happens in a space where discomfort and growth can coexist, where clients are encouraged to explore, question, and evolve.”
I am committed to fostering a space of equity, respect, and deep personal exploration. My perspective is shaped by a life lived across cultures, allowing me to see beyond conventional frameworks and bring a fresh, nuanced approach to therapy. My work is grounded in anti-racist, anti-oppressive values, and I believe in the importance of challenging systemic barriers that impact mental health and relationships. As a queer immigrant, I offer a perspective that differs from that of a typical therapist—one shaped by navigating different worlds, adapting to new ways of being, and understanding the complexities of identity and resilience, enriching my work with diverse perspectives and a deep appreciation for resilience and self-discovery.
Resolving Unfinished Business: A Path to Healing and Closure through Gestalt Therapy
Gestalt therapy is my primary theoretical orientation. It emphasizes the present moment while considering the impact of our past experiences and current environment. This approach helps resolve “unfinished business,” reducing rumination about past situations that drain our energy and hinder our ability to live fully in the present. Gestalt therapy also brings awareness to behaviors and thought patterns adapted in childhood that may no longer serve us as adults, limiting our options and leading to dissatisfaction or interpersonal difficulties.
Gestalt requires one to pay attention to the here and now, inform the client how they impact others, unearth buried needs and hopes, and encourage feelings and sensations in sessions.
I also utilize Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients regulate their emotions, including anxiety, anger, and fear, and learn healthy coping skills to replace maladaptive behaviors. DBT provides clients with practical tools for managing intense emotions, navigating interpersonal relationships, and developing assertiveness and effective communication skills. Through DBT, clients learn to balance acceptance and change, leading to greater emotional stability and improved relationships.
For clients seeking evidence-based, short-term counseling, I have completed training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy. This approach focuses on identifying and modifying automatic thoughts that contribute to anxiety and depression. Clients engage in homework between sessions, and each session follows a structured agenda with assigned tasks.
In my work with couples, I apply Gestalt principles based on the teachings of Rita and Bob Resnick. This approach facilitates the negotiation of differences and resolution of inevitable conflicts, encouraging clients to show up authentically in their relationships and become aware of outdated relational patterns that no longer serve them. Additionally, I incorporate Non-Violent Communication (NVC) techniques developed by Marshall Rosenberg, which focus on expressing observations, feelings, needs, and requests in a non-judgmental and compassionate manner. NVC helps couples improve their communication skills, foster empathy, and create deeper understanding and connection within their relationship.
To create a safe space for communication and help couples connect on a deeper level through validation and empathy, I have completed the Level 1 Imago Clinical Training and attended a workshop with Imago Master Trainer Maya Kolmann on “Getting the Love you Want.” I incorporate Imago therapy interventions, such as predesigned dialogues, and assign homework to help clients understand their attachment strategies and how their relationships with primary caregivers impact their adult relationships.
On a personal note, I live in Portland, Oregon, with my wife. In my free time, I enjoy deepening my knowledge of psychotherapy, building meaningful connections with people, and immersing myself in nature. I have a passion for learning about new cultures through traveling, reading, watching documentaries, and exploring diverse cuisines.
Social Justice is a Core Value in My Counseling Practice
Social justice is a crucial aspect of effective counseling, as it recognizes the profound impact of systemic inequalities and oppression on mental health outcomes. Our identities, shaped by various factors, often determine the privileges or marginalization we face, significantly influencing our psychological well-being and quality of life.
As a queer, bilingual immigrant, I have experienced oppression firsthand and understand how environment and social context impact mental health. Navigating multiple marginalized identities has provided me with a unique perspective and fostered curiosity about the diversity of human experiences.
This understanding fuels my dedication to acknowledging and advocating for the diverse identities and experiences of my clients. I believe that counseling cannot be truly effective without considering the social, cultural, and political factors that shape an individual’s life and mental health challenges. By engaging in social justice work and maintaining cultural humility, I strive to create an inclusive, affirmative, and empowering therapeutic space where clients from all backgrounds feel seen, heard, and supported in their journey towards healing and empowerment.
Schedule Your Consultation
My Counseling Rates
Individual Sessions $155 / Couple Sessions $155
Sliding Scale
If my fee is a barrier, under certain circumstances I may offer a sliding scale. Please inquire about the availability of my sliding scale slots when you first contact me.
Payment
I can accept payment for counseling:
Cancellation Policy
If you are unable to attend a session, please make sure you cancel at least 48 hours beforehand. Otherwise, you may be charged for the full rate of the session.
Any Other Questions
Please contact me for any additional questions you may have.
I look forward to hearing from you!
My Mental Health Online Counseling Services in Oregon
Check the services I focus on below. Please get in touch with me for any additional questions you may have!
As a queer person born and raised in a conservative culture, I have personally experienced oppressive harassment because of my sexual orientation and gender expression.
As a gay-friendly therapist and counselor, my primary focus is on offering support that is uniquely tailored to the challenges and experiences faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
For individuals who identify as LGBTQIA, navigating their gender identity can be challenging and often requires support and understanding. Gender identity is a deeply personal and complex aspect of our lives.
Grief is a natural response to loss, encompassing many emotions. It is not limited to the death of a loved one but can also be triggered by various life changes, such as the end of a relationship or the experience of a traumatic event.
Are you feeling trapped in a cycle of despair, unable to see beyond your current state of mind? If so, therapy could be the key to unlocking a path towards emotional well-being.
Anxiety is a common human experience that we all encounter at some point in our lives. As a mental health counselor, I am committed to guiding you toward a balanced and fulfilling life.
I have gained valuable experience working closely with lesbians and others across the queer spectrum.
I know what it means to acculturate and make new connections to question identity and navigate interculturally.