Individual Counseling
Individual counseling is a relationship between you and a licensed therapist. As such, understanding how it works is vital to its success.
For that reason, this page is dedicated to highlight its implications pertaining to what you can expect at my practice.
what can you expect from my practice?
1) Evidence-based models of therapy: using Internal Family Systems therapy model (IFS), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) model and Polyvagel Theory orientation, I tailor my approach to every client at my practice, depending on what the client prefers and what s/he most effectively responds to.
2) Honest assessment: An accurate assessment can often guide you finding your right fit. If a mix of my therapeutic approaches, specialities and/or my background do not result in a right fit for you at my practice, you’ll be fully supported as you navigate finding the most effective therapeutic relationship possible. If or when we both determine an additional support from a psychiatric prescriber is needed, you’ll also be supported for medication management from practices that work closely with mine.
3) An ethical practice: As a professional licensed mental health clinician, I am bound to adhere to professional standards for ethical and legal practices. A clear example is keeping the content of every session “in the room.” In the event you report feeling suicidal or children under your care is suspected to be in harm’s way or abuse, I’m bound by law to collaborate with local authorities for your and others’ safety.
4) My quality of service: I’m confident I can help. You will find someone who actually cares. This can sound like a hard pill to swallow, but if you’re seeking a therapist, you're not alone. I can assure you that you won't feel alone at my practice. I hope you take time. And when ready, I hope you reach out to unlock your health journey.
What do I expect from you?
1) Tell me everything: the roadmap for every session is directly dependent upon your words. In so far as you’re aware of what’s going on, I expect an honest journey, as I’m responsible for a sensitively-applied therapeutic and honest exploration with you.
2) Keep the secrets if you’re not willing to disclose them (ONLY applicable to clients for family or couples’ therapy): If you’re seeking counseling for family interventions or marriage issues, and are not yet ready to discuss something you’ve done without the others’ permission, I do not need to know. My knowledge of such information impacting others in your life is not conducive to an effective therapeutic progress in the context of couples or family therapy.
3) Share your feelings, especially about our therapeutic process: Because I work from a humanist perspective, I believe it is important for you to be open about how you feel about the quality of service. I encourage you to discuss your feelings about our session. This will ultimately serve you to be in a better therapeutic relationship at my practice.
4) Show up: Therapy obviously can’t help if you don’t attend. The days where you feel like you have nothing to talk about are often some of the most productive therapy sessions, because it gives us an opportunity to gain insight into who you are, not just what is happening in your life currently.
Specializations
I’d most likely not be an ideal therapist if you recently sought residential treatment for severe eating disorders-related issues or required a psychiatric residential care for suicidal ideation.
I also do not provide services for child/ren younger than 11 years of age. If you’re seeking therapy for your child 12 years of age or older, please feel free to reach out to me.
The following life experiences are best fit to process at my practice: Managing PTSD-like symptoms, stress at home, Minority/Immigrant experiences, matters of Spirituality/religion, Third Culture Kid experience, sexual identity/addiction issues, interracial couples..
Timeline of therapy
Many people often find themselves in need of therapy for a variety of issues. Temporarily, some may need twice a week sessions for their current issues.
Specific and well-defined goals, for example, can be best served for a weekly session for 2 to 4 months. Or a longer course of plan may be necessary for broader support, trauma, or chronic mental health issues.
Others may begin from well-defined goals, then transition to sporadic sessions after their goals are met for additional support when necessary.
Wherever you are in life, you and I work together to define a plan of action and timeline of therapy, and re-evaluate as the therapeutic relationship unfolds.