Prolonged Exposure Therapy in Sierra Madre, CA

Wonderful to meet you! I’m a clinical psychologist, licensed in the states of California, Iowa, and Washington. I have specialized experience working with culturally diverse adults struggling with various mental health conditions or those hoping for self-growth. I also help couples who want to develop deeper intimacy, increase emotional safety, and communicate more effectively with one another.

I enjoy working with people who have experienced life, in it's fullest, but sometimes need a little extra help. I see my clients as the experts in their own journey to resolve what life throws at us; I'm here to truly listen and gently guide. I have experience working with issues like trauma & abuse, depression & anxiety, relationship issues, addiction, personality disorders, family/parenting conflicts, intimacy issues, and/or grief & loss, Military/Veteran issues, & many more. I am completely open to understanding what you need and really look forward to working with you on a solution; you are not alone in this process.

My specialty-working with you to finally overcome your anxiety problems, OCD, or relationship issues benefits from my 30+ years of helping others. I review all new research. I have written self-help books on anxiety disorders and research papers with UCSD on social anxiety. Compassion, warmth, and skill in individualizing therapy aid in recovery. You can also visit my platform using stressreleasesd.com. My approach to helping you is based on current evidence-based cognitive behavior therapy, mindfulness, and exposure-response prevention for OCD.

Stressful life events, endless thoughts in the night, and emotions that seem out of control can be overwhelming and isolating. Exhaustion and mental health stigma can further push quality of life and sense of fulfillment out of reach. As an Asian American psychologist in California, I am passionate about supporting my community through thoughtful counseling that cultivates deeper understanding and healing. I have presented research and workshops on the intersection of mental health and diversity, and have over 8 years of psychotherapy experience focused on building awareness, learning coping skills, and improving quality of life.

You are here for that sense of belonging & connection, especially when multiple global crises have left communities hopeless, and in a constant state of vigilance. While some anxiety/depression is a normal response to the hyper-violence we are facing as a collective (on screens or in reality), it can feel extremely overwhelming to experience this every day, on top of expectations from work, family, and other relationships. As a child of the Lao Isaan/Southeast Asian diaspora, my passion is working with fellow children of refugee/immigrant diasporas to feel seen + heard + validated through an anti-oppressive framework.

Seeking the support of a therapist can be a powerful step toward increasing self-awareness and the ability to change patterns that are no longer working. Change in therapy happens through a process of increased self-understanding, practicing new ways of engaging (with yourself, with others, with a particular problem or set of issues), and development and practice of coping strategies. I collaborate with my clients to identify and work toward treatment goals, using a combination of practical skills and deeper work to explore and repair root issues that may be contributing to current problems.

If you are living with anxiety, depression, or persistent negative thoughts, It can be truly helpful to have someone in your life who is objective, loving and experienced in helping people overcome life's challenges and get back on track. As a third-generation licensed psychotherapist, I am deeply passionate about guiding you toward rediscovering your innate wisdom and zest for life through evidence-based therapy.

Achieving your life-long career dreams is rewarding, but it can also take a toll on you and your relationships. After fighting so hard to get where you are, do you now find yourself feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, stuck or struggling to enjoy the life you built?

Our past experiences can shape how we feel and act in the present. What was once an adaptive strategy to survive can now leave us stuck and miserable. We might feel like even though we “know better” we continue to engage in the same patterns. I can help you develop insight about how your past shapes your present and how to interrupt destructive patterns to feel more at ease, authentic, and agentic. In addition to helping folks get to the root of their suffering, I also help people build the capacity to turn towards struggles with compassion. I believe that as we tend to our wounds, profound healing can occur.

People struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, self-criticism, rigid thinking and behaviors, and shame have found me a good fit. I work well with people who have past trauma, relational trauma, and unresolved emotional or relational wounds. I also work well with people who might have been in therapy before and are looking to get to a deeper level of self-understanding, and with other therapists and helping professionals. My practice accommodates people who find themselves wanting or needing more than once a week sessions. I enjoy working with couples looking to better understand themselves, each other, and their dynamics.

Therapy Lab offers individual teletherapy that's based on a plan. Visit our website (therapylab.com) to explore a menu of treatment plans based on common goals for therapy. With your input, we'll make a plan that's based on your goals, your timeline, and your budget. Our science-based plans are designed to support you in overcoming distress (anxiety, relationship problems, work stress) so you walk away with emotional health and insight. At your first session, your exceptionally qualified therapist will get to know you and pick or design a plan that’s customized to your situation.

Have you noticed a change in memory or find it harder to focus or multitask? Has there been a change in mood? A variety of conditions impact our thinking and influence how we function at home, school, and work. Fortunately, neuropsychological assessments can help identify what neurological challenges might be impacting your day-to-day. I'm a clinical neuropsychologist and I offer comprehensive evaluations for individuals with neurological and psychiatric disorders, including (but not limited to) ADHD, stroke, traumatic head injury, dementia, depression, anxiety, and trauma.

I offer a trauma-informed approach where you don't have to process your trauma through talk therapy. Instead, we can collaborate in a very unique way by using an evidenced-based approach that you will like and trust. I also specialize in assisting with anxiety-based symptoms and depression-based symptoms. I assist to reduce fear/phobias, anxiety/worry, panic attacks, and anger. With panic attacks, I psycho-educate my clients about why they occur and how to reduce their presentations. I also work with anger and I psycho-educate my clients on why their anger presents and how to decrease maladaptive behaviors.

Cognitive Behavior Associates (CBA) is a group practice founded by Dr. Joel L. Becker in 2005, and is one of the largest cognitive-behavior therapy practices in Southern California. We specialize in short-term, problem-focused therapy from a cognitive-behavioral perspective. Our treatments are individualized for a full range of psychological disorders.

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common concerns around- if these kinds of things are affecting your ability to meet your personal goals or simply enjoy your life, you're not alone. I specialize in "treatments that work"- scientifically supported therapies for anxiety, depression, and related difficulties, including worry, panic, sleep problems, and difficulties with concentration and decision-making. In therapy, my clients work to develop or increase coping skills they can use long after treatment ends.

Are you feeling disconnected, stressed, stuck, scared, or angry? Are you repeating relationships, patterns, or situations and wishing you could break the cycle? Maybe life feels more frustrating or stressful than usual. Sometimes we aren't sure what causes our distress, but we know we're not reaching our potential for health, happiness, or success. And even if we know what the issue is, change can feel impossible. That's where our team of qualified professionals can help. Our job isn't to judge you or your choices, it's to help you understand the root causes of your issues and work together to create a custom plan for change.

We are at a time where compassion towards self is more important than ever. Life is overwhelming and complicated. Maybe you "have it all" but feel like something is missing or you are having issues communicating your needs. Many struggle with the idea of having symptoms of depression and anxiety internalizing the symptoms with being "crazy". I am here to remove the labels and have individuals be more aware of the symptoms you experience (fear, poor sleep and appetite, nervousness, sadness, negative thoughts, etc.) and treat them with compassion, reframing and safe coping skills to better improve your life.

Are you struggling to change? Do you know in your mind what you need to do but can't get your emotions or body to do it? Do you repeat relationships or patterns and wish you could break the endless cycle? Maybe little things feel more frustrating or overwhelming than usual. Sometimes, we aren't sure what causes our distress, but we can sense we're not reaching our potential for health, happiness, or success. Even when we know the cause, change can still feel impossible. That's where I come in. My job is to listen without judgment, help you understand the root causes of your issues, and teach you practical tools to change your life.

I specialize in providing care to people who are anxious and overwhelmed by life's pressures, haunted by traumas, or plagued by imposter syndrome to feel confident, calm, and secure. I use validated treatments tailored to your unique needs. Most of my clients achieve their therapeutic goals with short-term therapy while some benefit from more time with me. Whatever your needs, I'm here to equip you with skills to see yourself, others, and your life in a more helpful way. Please scroll down to the Location section to find the link to my website to learn more.