Therapists in Kern County, CA

Feeling depressed and worried most of the time, stressed out, angry, and having distressing memories. Don't let these problems stop you from living a meaningful life. You are NOT alone and I am here to SUPPORT you. Therapy is a personal journey which can lead to changes in life perspectives and experiences. You can make choices that fit your values as you know more of events and yourself. It can be achieved through the process of bringing the subconsciousness to the conscious. Together with the evidence-based practices, you will learn to identify inner conflicts and develop strategies to cope with difficulty emotions and thoughts.

I am passionate about my work with adults who struggle to live in the in-between worlds (e.g., cultural and gender identity, work, family, relationships, etc.). I believe that transformation occurs within a blanket of emotional security. Therefore, it is crucial for me to curate a compassionate and safe therapeutic space for my clients as they experience difficult emotions in the moment. I practice from a strength-based approach in which I view you as the expert in your lived experience. Together, I will co-create a support system that is unique to your individual healing journey. You are safe here.

I think it’s safe to say life is hard. There is so much going on in the world and in our lives that it can be hard to navigate everything that is placed in front of us. We all go through struggles and challenges and it’s okay to seek professional help for them. Growing up as a Chinese American, I recognize the complexities of family and social dynamics and how it can have an immense impact in who we become and how we view ourselves.

Whether you are grappling with challenges in your life or seeking to enhance your psychological well-being, having the support and guidance of a therapist can often be helpful. I applaud your taking this step and thank you for looking at my service description. With over 40 years of experience as a psychologist, I offer deep listening, clinical knowledge, and practical directions to help you improve your psychological wellness and further your personal fulfillment.

Have you ever experienced something deeply distressing that it holds you back from living your life? No matter how hard you try to suppress it, those negative feelings seem to resurface when you desperately need it to go away. Feeling a loss of control can cause you to feel defeated, lonely, and unmotivated. You don't need to go through this alone and this feeling doesn’t need to be permanent. I am committed to providing a nonjudgmental space for you to make sense of these experiences. I am a strength-based therapist that utilizes an integrative and client-centered approach. Let’s work collaboratively to help you heal and grow.

I believe in the uniqueness of people, not just as individuals, but from moment to moment as well. My approach in talk therapy is to try to understand clients deeply, while keeping in mind that I will never know 100%. I consider clients’ upbringing, religion, politics, style, and opinions, but I put particular emphasis on the relationship between myself and clients. My hope is that sessions with me are warm, challenging, thought-provoking and thoughtful, so expect sessions to include tears, laughter and profound moments of appreciation for life, its difficulties and rewards.

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been in practice for over 20 years. The foundation of my work is the firm belief that we are wired to connect with others. When we fail to do so in some aspects of our lives, we become depressed and anxious and feel alone. My goal is to help you have healthy connections with others. People who have found my work helpful include couples dealing with relational issues, cross-cultural relationships, childhood trauma, anxiety, cultural and race issues.

When we feel overwhelmed, stressed, or stuck, managing everyday stressors can feel impossible. Therapy can help. From processing and navigating thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to learning new ways to manage stress, family, and/or interpersonal challenges, therapy can help you find a better balance in everyday life and facilitate personal growth. Therapy looks different for every individual and there are times in which personal growth can appear action-packed with significant changes in habits and ways of thinking, while other times growth is marked by staying still and acknowledging the present moment.

If you want to improve your current life situations like relationships that are dissatisfying or personal goals that are not getting fulfilled, counseling can help. I am an experienced counselor who can help you better assess your situations and come up with concrete plans of actions to make changes towards your goals. Sometimes I coach you in developing new skills like more effective communication of your wants and needs, and sometimes I support you in working out unresolved issues and emotions from the past that are getting in the way of living and relating more fully in the present.

Are you feeling overwhelmed with issues related to anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, life transitions, culture/identity, relationship issues? I am passionate with helping my clients develop and strengthen relationships (family members, partners, friends, work, school, etc). I am also passionate about supporting those experiencing life transitions such as new parents, marriage, career/job, recent move, medical diagnoses, etc. I have had the privilege to work with individuals with generational trauma, grief, addictions, and family issues through an integrative, strengths-based approach. Contact me for a complimentary consult.

After experiencing a series of traumatic events, you may feel stuck, depressed, anxious, hopeless, helpless, guilty, shame, and confused. You might also experience the impacts of trauma in your relationships, such as getting into unhealthy relationships, difficulty in developing closeness with loved ones, or difficulty in trusting others. I will work with you to empower you with knowledge and skills to heal from the impacts of trauma. You will discover that you matter; your voice is heard and seen.

Have you or your child been demonstrating a change in mood and/or behavior recently? Has your/his/her work/academic performance been negatively impacted? Are you ready to meet with someone to try and figure out how to ameliorate those symptoms together?

Is anxiety, depression, or trauma holding you back from being your true self? Do you feel stuck in managing difficult life transitions? Now, every little thing becomes super overwhelming. Those negative experiences reopen old wounds and cause new ones. You tried burying your pain hoping it would go away. You feel lonely and tormented. You feel exhausted, stressed, and angry all the time. You wonder how much more you can take. You are unsure of who or where to turn for help. In the midst of this painful journey, you do not have to go through it alone.

Is anxiety, depression, or trauma holding you back from being your true self? Do you feel stuck in managing difficult life transitions? Now, every little thing becomes super overwhelming. Those negative experiences reopen old wounds and cause new ones. You tried burying your pain hoping it would go away. You feel lonely and tormented. You feel exhausted, stressed, and angry all the time. You wonder how much more you can take. You are unsure of who or where to turn for help. In the midst of this painful journey, you do not have to go through it alone.

When we are exposed to trauma at an early age, it can seriously impact how we feel about ourselves and our relationships with others. Trauma can also profoundly affect whether we feel this is a safe world and can contribute to depression, anxiety, and relational/familial issues. My practice is from a strengths-based, trauma-informed perspective with a non-judgmental framework. I aim to understand clients’ internal responses and to provide more options for emotional regulation and problem-solving.

As a therapist who was born and raised in Hong Kong, I have had the opportunity to work with diverse clients of all backgrounds. I understand the unique challenges faced by children of immigrants, particularly those identifying as Asian American or emerging adults. Asian Americans often struggle with establishing a sense of belonging, internalized judgment of their thoughts, actions, and persistent feelings of inadequacy or shame. It can be challenging to exist between two or more different cultural norms, values, traditions, languages, familial obligations, social dynamics, and more.

Octave is a modern practice creating a new standard for mental health care that’s both high-quality and accessible. With in-person and virtual clinics in California, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Washington D.C., we partner with you to develop personalized plans that can include individual, couples, and family therapy to best suit your needs. Grounded in science, our approach enables you to experience profound change that is just as measurable as it is meaningful. Learn more at www.findoctave.com

When we are exposed to trauma at an early age, it can seriously impact how we feel about ourselves and our relationships with others. Trauma can also profoundly affect whether we feel this is a safe world and can contribute to depression, anxiety, and relational/familial issues. My practice is from a strengths-based, trauma-informed perspective with a non-judgmental framework. I aim to understand clients’ internal responses and to provide more options for emotional regulation and problem-solving.