Asian Therapists in Columbia, MD
Mending Hearts Academy, LLC
Counselor, PhD, LCPC, NCC, ACS
3 Endorsed
Columbia, MD 21044
Waitlist for new clients
My holistic approach is based on cutting-edge evidence-based approaches based on Western psychology, Christianity, and Five Elements Chinese tradition.
Do you struggle with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, sexuality issues, and relationship issues? Have you ever been hurt your loved ones in any way that violates your right as a person, including infidelity, addiction, and all forms of violence? Have you ever hurt your loved ones in the same ways? I love to walk with your journey to redefine who you are as a wholesome person. I can help you become resilient and embrace yourself and your life in holistic ways. You will experience cutting-edge and holistic counseling approaches to find your answers to your finding your way to becoming a wholesome person again. Let's do this together!
My holistic approach is based on cutting-edge evidence-based approaches based on Western psychology, Christianity, and Five Elements Chinese tradition.
Do you struggle with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, sexuality issues, and relationship issues? Have you ever been hurt your loved ones in any way that violates your right as a person, including infidelity, addiction, and all forms of violence? Have you ever hurt your loved ones in the same ways? I love to walk with your journey to redefine who you are as a wholesome person. I can help you become resilient and embrace yourself and your life in holistic ways. You will experience cutting-edge and holistic counseling approaches to find your answers to your finding your way to becoming a wholesome person again. Let's do this together!
Current availability: Summer openings! Over the past 10 years, I have worked with a diverse population of children, families, and young adults in inpatient, outpatient and school settings. Clients with learning disabilities, trauma, anxiety/depression and ADHD symptoms are some of the many clients I have served in the past. My therapy style focuses on being thorough, client-centered, and efficient through eclectic, evidence-based therapy methods. I assist with achieving my client's self-created goals with the use of parenting tips and techniques for children, and a diverse set of coping mechanisms for teenage and adult clients.
Current availability: Summer openings! Over the past 10 years, I have worked with a diverse population of children, families, and young adults in inpatient, outpatient and school settings. Clients with learning disabilities, trauma, anxiety/depression and ADHD symptoms are some of the many clients I have served in the past. My therapy style focuses on being thorough, client-centered, and efficient through eclectic, evidence-based therapy methods. I assist with achieving my client's self-created goals with the use of parenting tips and techniques for children, and a diverse set of coping mechanisms for teenage and adult clients.
Maybe you've considered therapy before, but life got in the way – and now you feel like you're at a breaking point with unexpected changes, struggles in your relationships, and negative thoughts that invade your mind. First, take a moment to applaud yourself simply for taking the time to read this. You desire and hope for a better, more balanced future, recognizing the strength it takes to seek support along the way.
Maybe you've considered therapy before, but life got in the way – and now you feel like you're at a breaking point with unexpected changes, struggles in your relationships, and negative thoughts that invade your mind. First, take a moment to applaud yourself simply for taking the time to read this. You desire and hope for a better, more balanced future, recognizing the strength it takes to seek support along the way.
Margarette Lorraine Fernandez
Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor, LGPC, MA
2 Endorsed
Columbia, MD 21045
Feeling weighed down by anxiety, perfectionism, or the pressure of family expectations? I support adolescents and adults (12–40) navigating life’s messy transitions and identity shifts. As a Filipina American who grew up between cultures, I specialize in helping you bridge the gap between your background and your true self. We won’t just talk in circles, we’ll pinpoint the patterns holding you back and build a foundation of unshakable self-trust. Whether you’re untangling relationship challenges or reclaiming your autonomy, you’ll find a space here to be truly heard and empowered to lead a life that finally feels like yours.
Feeling weighed down by anxiety, perfectionism, or the pressure of family expectations? I support adolescents and adults (12–40) navigating life’s messy transitions and identity shifts. As a Filipina American who grew up between cultures, I specialize in helping you bridge the gap between your background and your true self. We won’t just talk in circles, we’ll pinpoint the patterns holding you back and build a foundation of unshakable self-trust. Whether you’re untangling relationship challenges or reclaiming your autonomy, you’ll find a space here to be truly heard and empowered to lead a life that finally feels like yours.
As a Korean American, I understand that our unique identities and past experiences can profoundly shape our today.
Welcome! I am so glad you're here. As you read this with your concerns, feelings, hesitations, or thoughts, I'm happy to meet you exactly where you are. Many of my clients have come to me wanting to learn more about themselves, feeling overwhelmed or distressed, or hoping to gain tools to better cope.
As a Korean American, I understand that our unique identities and past experiences can profoundly shape our today.
Welcome! I am so glad you're here. As you read this with your concerns, feelings, hesitations, or thoughts, I'm happy to meet you exactly where you are. Many of my clients have come to me wanting to learn more about themselves, feeling overwhelmed or distressed, or hoping to gain tools to better cope.
Do you feel like you’re faking it? Struggle with what society/your culture expects of you? Feel like you put everyone 1st and don’t know who you are anymore? Struggle with decisions and want clarity? Now more than ever, we are feeling anxious and overwhelmed about relationships, work, a loss, or the world today.
I believe you deserve to live an audacious life. You deserve to be seen and to have your stories held and validated. I empower you to find your voice and live life on your terms, by learning new coping skills, deepening relationships with yourself and others, and living a fulfilled life. I believe we can get there together.
Do you feel like you’re faking it? Struggle with what society/your culture expects of you? Feel like you put everyone 1st and don’t know who you are anymore? Struggle with decisions and want clarity? Now more than ever, we are feeling anxious and overwhelmed about relationships, work, a loss, or the world today.
I believe you deserve to live an audacious life. You deserve to be seen and to have your stories held and validated. I empower you to find your voice and live life on your terms, by learning new coping skills, deepening relationships with yourself and others, and living a fulfilled life. I believe we can get there together.
Do you feel caught between who your family needs you to be and who you really are? This push and pull can leave you feeling stressed, isolated, or unsure of yourself. Even if friends and family tend to rely on you, you don’t have to do this alone. Therapy is your space to process your life’s challenges, speak your truth, and build tools that work for you so you can feel clearer, stronger, and more at peace with yourself. You may be the "strong, independent one" in your relationships, but you need support too.
Do you feel caught between who your family needs you to be and who you really are? This push and pull can leave you feeling stressed, isolated, or unsure of yourself. Even if friends and family tend to rely on you, you don’t have to do this alone. Therapy is your space to process your life’s challenges, speak your truth, and build tools that work for you so you can feel clearer, stronger, and more at peace with yourself. You may be the "strong, independent one" in your relationships, but you need support too.
I am currently accepting new clients. I offer Telehealth sessions and offer flexible weekday. I’ve had the most success with clients who have Autism, learning disabilities or making life transitions and are in young adulthood ranging from 18-35 years old. My strengths are connecting, supporting, and providing engagement and processing of feelings, thoughts, and behaviors into objectifiable outcomes in a safe and warm environment suitable for growth and change.
I am currently accepting new clients. I offer Telehealth sessions and offer flexible weekday. I’ve had the most success with clients who have Autism, learning disabilities or making life transitions and are in young adulthood ranging from 18-35 years old. My strengths are connecting, supporting, and providing engagement and processing of feelings, thoughts, and behaviors into objectifiable outcomes in a safe and warm environment suitable for growth and change.
Are you dealing with multiple challenges that impact your daily life—like anxiety, feelings of low self-worth, communication breakdowns or relationship struggles? As a systemic therapist, I aim to explore and intervene in the patterns of interaction that sustain or perpetuate problems within these systems. The goal is not just to treat the individual, but to examine the broader relational or contextual dynamics that add to the issue. I believe that every challenge is an opportunity. By looking at these connections, we can uncover patterns and beliefs that may be contributing to your difficulties and work together to shift them.
Are you dealing with multiple challenges that impact your daily life—like anxiety, feelings of low self-worth, communication breakdowns or relationship struggles? As a systemic therapist, I aim to explore and intervene in the patterns of interaction that sustain or perpetuate problems within these systems. The goal is not just to treat the individual, but to examine the broader relational or contextual dynamics that add to the issue. I believe that every challenge is an opportunity. By looking at these connections, we can uncover patterns and beliefs that may be contributing to your difficulties and work together to shift them.
Hello! I am passionate about helping individuals gain the skills to cope with everyday stressors and life transitions. I specialize in trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions ranging from school, work, the perinatal period, and motherhood.
My approach is warm and down-to-earth, and my goal is to create a safe, welcoming space where clients can truly be themselves. I combine compassion with evidence based approaches to create a treatment plan tailed to you.
I love the opportunity to work with clients from various cultural backgrounds and understand how it can integrate into our work together.
Hello! I am passionate about helping individuals gain the skills to cope with everyday stressors and life transitions. I specialize in trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions ranging from school, work, the perinatal period, and motherhood.
My approach is warm and down-to-earth, and my goal is to create a safe, welcoming space where clients can truly be themselves. I combine compassion with evidence based approaches to create a treatment plan tailed to you.
I love the opportunity to work with clients from various cultural backgrounds and understand how it can integrate into our work together.
I also work well with Asian-Americans and other racial minorities.
The first steps to a counseling session can be scary, but it is also a courageous act in understanding yourself and living a more engaging life. My philosophy in providing care has always been "helping others help themselves." I believe that each individual has the ability to change and grow in their journey. In sessions I provide a safe, compassionate, and collaborative space. I will also acknowledge that our world is vastly different and more chaotic than it was a few years ago - political discourse, racial injustice, climate change - and I will do my best to offer you some direction in these collective struggles.
I also work well with Asian-Americans and other racial minorities.
The first steps to a counseling session can be scary, but it is also a courageous act in understanding yourself and living a more engaging life. My philosophy in providing care has always been "helping others help themselves." I believe that each individual has the ability to change and grow in their journey. In sessions I provide a safe, compassionate, and collaborative space. I will also acknowledge that our world is vastly different and more chaotic than it was a few years ago - political discourse, racial injustice, climate change - and I will do my best to offer you some direction in these collective struggles.
• • Accepting New Clients! :) • • Hi! I'm Neena - I’m so thankful you are thinking of including me in your therapeutic journey! I work mostly with adolescents + adults experiencing trauma, depression, anxiety, LGBTQ+ issues, and/or racial trauma. Growing up as a first generation American, I have often found myself existing in spaces that did not provide me with a real sense of belonging. I believe that healing and growth in therapy occurs within a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship, so I am committed to creating a space where you feel like you truly belong: without judgment, without fear, and without expectations.
• • Accepting New Clients! :) • • Hi! I'm Neena - I’m so thankful you are thinking of including me in your therapeutic journey! I work mostly with adolescents + adults experiencing trauma, depression, anxiety, LGBTQ+ issues, and/or racial trauma. Growing up as a first generation American, I have often found myself existing in spaces that did not provide me with a real sense of belonging. I believe that healing and growth in therapy occurs within a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship, so I am committed to creating a space where you feel like you truly belong: without judgment, without fear, and without expectations.
I have experience working with clients ages from 5 to 105. I have worked at elementary school working with children, middle school & high school working with teens, university students working with young adults, community mental health centers working with adults, and a hospice setting working with mostly elders, providing individual, couples, family, group-therapy including bereavement counseling. I have enjoyed working with clients at every human development stages and learn to respect every one of my clients in the process of supporting them.
I have experience working with clients ages from 5 to 105. I have worked at elementary school working with children, middle school & high school working with teens, university students working with young adults, community mental health centers working with adults, and a hospice setting working with mostly elders, providing individual, couples, family, group-therapy including bereavement counseling. I have enjoyed working with clients at every human development stages and learn to respect every one of my clients in the process of supporting them.
I am a licensed psychologist and associate professor of counseling psychology with extensive experience in psychotherapy, training, supervision, and research in multicultural counseling. My passion lies in making therapy more accessible for individuals who are not familiar with counseling. I specialize in offering culturally responsive and strength-based therapy services for individuals navigating anxiety, self-esteem issues, identity issues, relationship challenges, and life transitions. I use an eclectic approach, integrating interpersonal, multicultural, psychodynamic, CBT, and DBT approaches.
I am a licensed psychologist and associate professor of counseling psychology with extensive experience in psychotherapy, training, supervision, and research in multicultural counseling. My passion lies in making therapy more accessible for individuals who are not familiar with counseling. I specialize in offering culturally responsive and strength-based therapy services for individuals navigating anxiety, self-esteem issues, identity issues, relationship challenges, and life transitions. I use an eclectic approach, integrating interpersonal, multicultural, psychodynamic, CBT, and DBT approaches.
Fluent in Korean and English, I provide culturally sensitive care that respects the whole person.
My work focuses on helping clients identify and shift long-standing patterns that contribute to distress or disconnection. I provide a safe, collaborative space that fosters insight and growth. As a bilingual clinician, I am committed to a caring and effective therapeutic relationship that supports healing and meaningful change.
Fluent in Korean and English, I provide culturally sensitive care that respects the whole person.
My work focuses on helping clients identify and shift long-standing patterns that contribute to distress or disconnection. I provide a safe, collaborative space that fosters insight and growth. As a bilingual clinician, I am committed to a caring and effective therapeutic relationship that supports healing and meaningful change.
**Currently Not Accepting New Therapy Clients; Only Accepting New Testing Clients** It can be challenging being a strongly opinionated person in a society that may not see all you have to offer. Maybe your family, teachers, or even friends did not appreciate you speaking up or did not accept you for your size or shape or identities. Our society may have made it even more difficult for you to thrive in ways that you used to or ways that you always wished you could. It might be time to get more support to live a truly happier life.
**Currently Not Accepting New Therapy Clients; Only Accepting New Testing Clients** It can be challenging being a strongly opinionated person in a society that may not see all you have to offer. Maybe your family, teachers, or even friends did not appreciate you speaking up or did not accept you for your size or shape or identities. Our society may have made it even more difficult for you to thrive in ways that you used to or ways that you always wished you could. It might be time to get more support to live a truly happier life.
Are you living life on autopilot? Do you feel disconnected from your body, relationships, or sense of purpose? Are you fighting to stay afloat in a world that feels like it wasn’t made for you? You deserve an affirming space to explore your identities, relationships, and life's challenges in the context of greater systemic and social forces. I enjoy working with trauma survivors, folks with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses, immigrants/adult children of immigrants, and aspiring cycle-breakers. I believe that healing is not only a tool for inner transformation but also a catalyst for our collective liberation.
Are you living life on autopilot? Do you feel disconnected from your body, relationships, or sense of purpose? Are you fighting to stay afloat in a world that feels like it wasn’t made for you? You deserve an affirming space to explore your identities, relationships, and life's challenges in the context of greater systemic and social forces. I enjoy working with trauma survivors, folks with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses, immigrants/adult children of immigrants, and aspiring cycle-breakers. I believe that healing is not only a tool for inner transformation but also a catalyst for our collective liberation.
Currently accepting patients for Telehealth sessions and remote EMDR. I've been blessed to be able to work in this field for over the last 27 years, 18 as a psychotherapist. Over that time I've been able to work with a myriad amount of problems, ranging from anxiety, depression, substance abuse, ADHD in both adults and children, as well as work with families in distress. I personally take great enjoyment in working with people with anxiety based difficulties and trauma, having had the greatest success with this population.
Currently accepting patients for Telehealth sessions and remote EMDR. I've been blessed to be able to work in this field for over the last 27 years, 18 as a psychotherapist. Over that time I've been able to work with a myriad amount of problems, ranging from anxiety, depression, substance abuse, ADHD in both adults and children, as well as work with families in distress. I personally take great enjoyment in working with people with anxiety based difficulties and trauma, having had the greatest success with this population.
I am also passionate about helping to reduce the mental health stigma in the Asian American community and bringing awareness to mental health in sports.
My goal is to help you gain insight, reach your goals, and improve your well-being. I strive to provide a safe space where you feel supported and can be your authentic self! Together, we'll explore the challenges in your life, paving the way for meaningful growth and balance.
I am also passionate about helping to reduce the mental health stigma in the Asian American community and bringing awareness to mental health in sports.
My goal is to help you gain insight, reach your goals, and improve your well-being. I strive to provide a safe space where you feel supported and can be your authentic self! Together, we'll explore the challenges in your life, paving the way for meaningful growth and balance.
Life Can Be Hard. Therapy Shouldn't Be. A calm and safe space can go a long way in helping us find our way forward. I understand that there is no one size fits all in therapy. Every person and every motivation to seek counseling is different. Nevertheless, you've arrived here. Let's begin your journey towards being a better you. My therapy style can best be described as compassionate, caring, and humorous. Afterall, laughter can be a powerful tool. I approach my work holistically by working with my clients to best understand their needs while looking at how their basic needs are being met.
Life Can Be Hard. Therapy Shouldn't Be. A calm and safe space can go a long way in helping us find our way forward. I understand that there is no one size fits all in therapy. Every person and every motivation to seek counseling is different. Nevertheless, you've arrived here. Let's begin your journey towards being a better you. My therapy style can best be described as compassionate, caring, and humorous. Afterall, laughter can be a powerful tool. I approach my work holistically by working with my clients to best understand their needs while looking at how their basic needs are being met.
See more therapy options for Columbia
Nearby Asian Therapists Searches for Columbia
- Baltimore
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- College Park
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- Ellicott City
- Glen Burnie
- Greenbelt
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FAQ - Asian Counselling
Why is it important for a therapist to be culturally sensitive?
A culturally sensitive therapist would be respectful and considerate of different groups, with regard to race, sexual orientation, gender, and other factors that are important to an individual. These considerations can help a client feel understood as well as validated. While some people think highlighting race could promote stereotypes and bias, more understanding and knowledge about cultural differences is a positive for a healthy therapeutic alliance.
How can I recognize an effective Asian therapist?
You can discern a lot by asking how familiar the potential therapist is with different cultures, as well as asking how they might address issues related to identity, values, and beliefs. Also inquire about their education, as well as any particular training they may have completed, such as cultural sensitivity or diversity and inclusion programs.
What if the therapist does not have my exact background?
The therapist may not share a client’s exact background, but the therapist may have plenty of hands-on experience as well as the sensitivity needed for therapeutic progress. Their sensitivity to different populations will help the client feel accepted and comfortable in sharing their concerns and difficulties.
How might I inquire about a therapist's experience with Asian clients?
A therapist with an Asian background may have experience within their community, as well as broader cultural sensitivity. Ask the potential therapist whether they've worked with individuals who share your background. If they have not worked with similar clients, they may well know someone who has such experience.
Who is included in Psychology Today's directory of Asian therapists?
The directory of Asian therapists includes professionals who have shared their ethnicity in their profiles. Psychology Today uses this information to assist clients in finding a therapist who can provide a cultural match. However, not all therapists choose to disclose their ethnicity in their profiles, and they may not appear in search results for this reason; also, when the number of therapists identified as Asian is limited, the directory will also show therapists with comprehensive experience working with clients from relevant backgrounds.