I grew up in the East Bay in California as a second generation Asian immigrant. Navigating the intersection of Asian and American cultures shaped much of my self-identity. I often found myself floating between both worlds, feeling both included and excluded, and increasingly introspective about the values and beliefs I felt were central to my identity. I find this experience often echoed in my clinical work as people navigate their own identity.

After pursuing degrees in Psychology and Philosophy at the University of California, Davis, I spent several years exploring various roles in the mental health field. While I fell in love with the work I was doing on the front lines with individuals diagnosed with severe mental illnesses, I was able to experience diversity across the mental health space that allowed me to develop a holistic view of treatment. 

Later, I earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California, which paved the way for my work in local psychiatric hospitals. While I focused on initial evaluations, I also specialized in crisis de-escalation. Two years and one license later, I began working out of a local emergency department while maintaining my work as a psychotherapist. This has allowed me to continue to serve a wide range of individuals at multiple levels of acuity.