Therapeutic Approach

If I had to sum up my approach in three words, they would be: Presence. Compassion. Relationship.

My training in Contemplative Psychotherapy is a unique approach that incorporates Buddhist philosophies and practices, with a strong emphasis on taking a non-pathologizing stance. Two principles of Contemplative Psychotherapy guide my practice — brilliant sanity and maitri.

Brilliant sanity is your innate wisdom, goodness, and wholeness, that is always accessible regardless of whether it is apparent or not. It is the sun behind the clouds. This goodness gets obscured from clinging to habitual patterns, which have been conditioned by the systems we orbit in and the histories we carry. We can bring awareness to those patterns and learn to reconnect with your brilliant sanity in session. I see wisdom even in “neurotic” mind states or behaviors that you might feel ashamed about.

Maitri is unconditional friendliness. My teacher, Karen Kissel Wegela, describes it as, “...tenderness and gentleness toward our own experience, whatever that experience is.” If you’re not able to be accepting and friendly toward your experience, I will be. Maitri and a heavy dose of compassion for your experience will be the foundation of our time together.

My approach is relational. That means I am curious about what comes up between us in session as a way to understand the relational dynamics in your life. I’m interested in the here-and-now, what is happening between us in this moment. I will point out things that I’m noticing in our relationship to open up new possibilities of relating to yourself and others.

I practice cultural humility, and acknowledge intersectionality and positionality - holding both your privileged and marginalized identities along with my own. I bring curiosity to the systemic impacts on your life experience and how it shows up in session, and am passionate about working with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ clients.

BIPOC Mental Health

Potential areas of exploration:

• Racial, cultural and systemic oppression

• Perfectionism and burnout

• Ancestral and generational trauma

• Feelings of guilt, obligation, shame, and grief

• Immigration and acculturation 

• Dealing with judgment from one’s inner critic, family, and culture(s)

• LGBTQ+ challenges

• A desire to live authentically but feeling conflicted by cultural and systemic pressures

• Worry about disappointing loved ones

• Feeling alone in your unique lived experience/identities

• Identity integration related to being adopted and/or multiracial

• Multicultural experiences as first-gen, second-gen, and third culture kids

Transitions & Identity

Are you going through a transition and feeling anxious about change?

Life is in constant flux and with change comes discomfort. No matter what transitions you’re experiencing, it can feel overwhelming. Change brings up uncertainty about the future and an unsettledness that can evoke fear. Identity transitions can also feel scary – whether that is processing racial, cultural, or religious identity, gender, sexuality, a career change, or relationship status. If you are grappling with questions of identity, meaning, purpose, and other existential curiosities, I can facilitate self-inquiry and hold space for your exploration with a non-judgmental and compassionate presence.

“The bad news is you’re falling through the air, nothing to hang on to, no parachute. The good news is, there’s no ground.” — Chögyam Trungpa

About Me

I became a psychotherapist because I have an insatiable curiosity for the human condition and a sensitivity that has fully allowed me to experience the vulnerability of being human. I care about people and connection, and value relationships above all else. Countless hours of therapy and time spent on my meditation cushion led me here and I am eternally grateful to the many teachers and therapists who have seen me and reflected back my inner wisdom when I most needed it. I want to do that for others as well. Therapy can be a spiritual journey, an awakening, a process of conscious awareness and self-discovery — I know it was and continues to be for me. Therapy can be a process of undoing, uncovering, and unfolding. Undoing constricting conditioning. Uncovering what’s here now and also what’s been buried. Unfolding slowly and gently while exploring tender territory. I would feel honored to be a witness and join you on your journey.

All Parts Are Welcome

I had a therapist who would tell me, “That part is welcome here.” She met my anger, sadness, loneliness, tiredness, and all parts of me with genuine warmth. Hearing the phrase — “That part is welcome here” — never got old to me. It made me feel seen, accepted, and relieved, that I could show up as I am, no matter what. This phrase comes from Internal Family Systems (IFS), a non-pathologizing modality of inspiration to me. According to Richard Schwartz, the founder of IFS, there are no bad parts. They are all welcome and I wholeheartedly believe this. “All parts are welcome” is the essence of who I am and how I work.

Bio

I’m originally from Houston and found a home in Seattle. I have an M.A. in Contemplative Psychotherapy and Buddhist Psychology from Naropa University, and did my undergraduate training at the University of Washington. I have over 5 years of experience as a counselor focusing on addiction with clients in the justice system, as well as working with queer and trans clients dealing with various concerns. I am an Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 3 trained therapist with advanced training in Intimacy From the Inside Out (IFIO) — an IFS-based couples modality.