Therapy Approach

I offer clients an up-to-date, fresh approach to living their authentic and happy life. My goal is to provide equitable, compassionate care to the trans/gender-expansive community. I am passionate about improving the way gender-expansive folks receive healthcare in our community, which includes eliminating barriers to that care. I am direct, warm, non-judgmental, practical, creative and authentically myself in sessions. My identities as an Asian, Latin, Queer, Trans Non-binary clinician may be important to others exploring their gender and hoping to work with someone in community.

My therapeutic approach begins by creating a trusting relationship and understanding the goals my client seeks to achieve in our work together. After establishing this type of relationship I work to help my patients bolster their “tool bag” of coping strategies in an effort to help them decrease their distress and aid them in feeling better. Lastly, we explore the many facets of oneself and help build a satisfying and joyful life.

During your therapy experience, you will learn how to regulate your emotions, tolerate stress, and become more mindful. You will obtain strategies to get what you want and need from life, while maintaining and building your relationships. Often clients work with me for six months and reach their goals, thus graduating from therapy within that time-frame.

Individual Therapy

I provide individual therapy to patients ages 18+ years old. Given the limited number of providers who specialize in gender affirming care, I only see patients who are gender diverse at Collaborative Pathways. During treatment with me, I assist my patient to help them explore the  evolution of their identity as they go through different stages of their transition. If they are experiencing anxiety or depression, I can also help my patients manage these symptoms. In addition, I provide assessments for gender-affirming procedures, in which I support the Informed Consent Model.

Educational Background & Previous Work Settings

Using clinically tested and evidenced-based interventions, I have worked with a variety of clientele in a variety of different treatment settings ranging from hospital settings to private practice. Along with working part-time at Collaborative Pathways, I also have a full time position where I am responsible for the delivery of clinical behavioral health services to LGBTQ+ and gender expansive participants, and for the design and implementation of a LGBTQ+ and Gender Affirming Care Program within the behavioral health department of a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Other places of employment, or training, have included: The Fenway Institute, Mary’s Center, Core Counseling, University of Maryland Medical Center’s CARE Clinic, Kennedy Krieger Outpatient Psychiatry/Social Work Mental Health Program, Sheppard Pratt Mental Health Systems: Inpatient Trauma Disorders Unit.

I am a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, obtaining my Master’s degree in 2014. I completed a two-year advanced training under PCIT International to become a certified therapist in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. For over a decade, I have received a multitude of training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and I integrate DBT concepts into my work.

Professional Affiliations

I am an active member in my state professional organization, the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists.. I also participate as a volunteer clinician for the Gender Affirming Letter Access Project (GALAP), although at Collaborative Pathways the assessment letters I provide are billed through insurance.