Frequently Asked Questions

In some cultures, there is a stigma about seeking therapy and this is because people may not fully understand what therapy is about. Psychotherapy is a process of exploring your internal world. During this journey, you will uncover the issues that often preoccupy your mind and may experience some discomfort. It may sound scary, but this self-exploratory journey could be rewarding and healing for you. Previous clients have walked out of the therapy room feeling relieved and hopeful with increasing self-understanding, effective coping strategies, and/or improved relationships.

Every session is 55 minutes. In the first sessions, we will spend time learning about each other and cultivate a space that works best for you and me. You can also learn about me here. We will go through your current life and history. The purpose of this is not to chronologically go through your life events but rather dive deep into your experiences in the most significant ones. We will also discuss the treatment focus and goals.

In each of the following sessions, we will start with a check-in and then focus on a topic of your choice or related to the previous session. The following could be processing or skill practice. In the wrapping up, you may be assigned homework.

In many studies, weekly sessions have been found to be key to successful treatment. In general, having fewer meetings is less effective and may even cost you more in time, energy, and money. In my clinical field observation, most clients who come to my therapy room have long-lasting trauma as well as a lot going-on between sessions. Bi-weekly sessions or less frequent ones often end up with catching up on life events rather than the core issues. The goal of weekly sessions is to create a scheduled healing routine to structure and regulate your time and energy to untangle the emotional knots, process deeper themes, and be present in the moment. Yes, weekly sessions seem like a huge commitment but you deserve a life with less pain and the ability to move forward.

The length of treatment will be different because of the varying nature and severity of the problem and individual differences. We will begin the treatment by envisioning your desired outcome and customizing your treatment plan. This becomes our compass to guide the treatment. We will review the treatment plan every 3-4 months and evaluate if the treatment is on the right track. We can modify the treatment plan if any new hidden issues have been uncovered.

When coming to the end of treatment, we will also create a smooth transition, including reducing the frequency of the sessions and connecting the resources to help you continue improving or maintaining the progress you made.

My specialties are mainly family-related issues. I work with people with long-lasting childhood trauma, Complex Trauma (C-PTSD), or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), parents with young or teenage children, and struggling families who want to develop better connections. I also have great experience working with individuals and families with immigrant backgrounds, especially from Asian/AAPI backgrounds.

My approach is trauma-informed, somatic-based, and family-oriented, whether you come in for family or individual therapy. To meet everyone's needs and preferences, I integrate Structural Family Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, mindfulness-based, Brainspotting, and culturally sensitive approaches.

As of right now, I only provide online therapy (telehealth) via a HIPAA-secure platform. The telehealth option makes therapy more convenient and accessible, but it is important to be in a quiet and private space so we are not losing the benefits of the traditional in-person therapy model. There are some considerations before you choose telehealth therapy, which include but are not limited to:

Electronic devices - An appropriate device can be a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone with a microphone and camera. 

Private space - This is more than a phone chat with a friend or family member. It is important to find a space where you can feel comfortable processing your deep feelings. If you need to join the session from your car, please park your car in a location where you can have privacy. If you join from a house/dorm that you share with others, make sure you can limit any distractions. 

Secure and stable internet connection - It is highly recommended that you use a secure internet connection and avoid free public wifi. 

Headphones or earbuds - This will help our sound quality as well as confidentiality.

Every state has different regulations. I am licensed in California, Pennsylvania, and Texas and that means that we are able to continue therapy as long as you are in one of those states during the sessions. If you happen to go to school or work in one state but often visit your family in one of the states, your therapy will not be interrupted during the break.

The other example would be family therapy. If you and your family want to work on your relationship but you live in different states, I will be able to provide therapy as long as you live in these states.

Here are some questions to help you reflect on your needs. What issues do you want to work on? Do you have any preference for a therapist, like gender, age, race, style, therapy model, etc? How long are you willing to commit to therapy to reach your goal? After reading about me, my specialties — childhood trauma, parenting, and Asian American — and the rest of the FAQ, and if this resonates with you, we can move to the next step.  

We can schedule a 20-minute phone consultation. Please use Phone Consultation to find the time that works for you. During the phone consultation, we will discuss your service request and my therapy approach. It is important that you find a therapist you can trust and feel connected to. If we both agree to move forward, I will explain my practice process and we will discuss scheduling and onboarding procedures. 

No problem. The earlier you let me know, the greater chance I can rearrange rescheduling. I do require a 48-hour advance notice for any cancellation or rescheduling unless it is due to sickness or emergency. You will be charged a full session fee if you fail to cancel an appointment or miss a session. Please note insurance does not reimburse for a “no-show” session. 

I am a native speaker of Mandarin and Taiwanese.

Don't let my rate or all the information discourage you from taking your first step!

In our phone consultation, we will not only try to figure out if I am the right fit for you but also find out the options you have. If I am not the right fit for you which happens a lot, I would be happy to connect you with referral resources. Remember, you deserve the service that is right for you and it takes some steps to make that happen!

Some individuals have reported experiencing therapeutic benefits from Emotional Support Animals; however, I do not provide the letters for ESAs because offering such letters is presently beyond the scope of my professional practice.