Traditionally, therapists tend to refrain from sharing too much about ourselves. We want to make the focus of therapy about our clients. We also want to stay as “neutral and objective” as possible to avoid imposing our own values on our clients. Throughout my professional experience, I came to realize that though it is important to not blur the boundary or take up too much space, it is also essential to be open and genuine about who I truly am as I ask my clients to do the same. The therapeutic relationship is one with great power differential. It is only fair that I give my clients the information they need about me to decide whether this will be good fit.

I am bilingual and bicultural fluent in English and Mandarin. Having spent my formative years in both China and the U.S, I’m well aware of the clash of values when East meets West, what it’s like to be “in between” and not belong anywhere, the loss of identity and pain to grieve while trying to create a new self and life. I grew up with expectations to achieve and excel, valued productivity and followed the roadmap to “success” defined by others. It took me painful life transitions and consistent personal therapy to deconstruct the “shoulds” and identify the “wants” in my mind to find my own compass. I’m now at a place where I am integrated with different pieces of my identity, and feel congruent in who I am and how I live my life. That is the authentic self I bring in every session for my clients.

I was a journalist before switching my career to be a therapist. I also worked in startups that focused on mental health. Having diverse professional experiences helped me quickly connect with clients from different professional backgrounds. I’m a wife and mother, trying to orchestrate various roles and relationships in my life.

I have worked with clients across age spans and ethnic backgrounds who are dealing with anxiety, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, life phase transition, immigration acculturation, parent-child relationship, intercultural romantic relationship and perinatal mental health. I am passionate about empowering my clients to unlock their potential and thrive as their authentic selves.