THERAPY IN-PERSON & ONLINE IN SAN DIEGO

We can figure this out together.

Culturally-aware, transformative therapy for adults and couples. Specializing in burnout, EMDR, relationships, and more. 

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You’ve spent your whole life adapting—reading the room, taking care of others, and doing what you “should.”

Showing up for everybody else is natural and normal for you. You consistently take on more, stay available, and make sure things don’t fall apart—whether that’s at work, with family, or in your relationships—leaving not much space (if any at all) left for yourself.

A lot of your drive comes from wanting to do things well and not disappoint the people counting on you. Maybe that’s your family, your boss, your team, mentors, or even yourself. So even when you’re overwhelmed, slowing down can feel uncomfortable or even guilt-inducing because there’s always a part of you worried you’re falling behind, letting someone down, or not doing enough. You’re completely exhausted from constantly carrying so much, and the people closest to you often end up getting whatever energy is left after you’ve spent the entire day holding everything together.

A lot of these things didn’t come out of nowhere. Maybe there wasn’t always space for your emotions growing up, or you learned early on that what mattered most was being reliable, successful, or strong. 

You’ve likely already tried to “work on yourself” in a lot of different ways. But it’s come to a certain point where you’re not looking for more tools or more advice—you’re trying to understand why you keep ending up in the same place, even when you know better.

That’s where our work begins.

MEET THE THERAPIST

Hi, I’m Michelle. 

I'm not here to hand you a formula. I'm here to help you figure out what's actually yours to carry — and what isn't.

Many people I work with know something needs to change, but don’t know how to do that without disrupting everything else in their lives. As a result, they’re typically overextending, second-guessing, or staying quiet to keep things steady in their relationships and at work. Oftentimes, this way of operating is tied to deeper expectations—around responsibility, success, and who you’re supposed to be—especially within family and cultural systems. 

In therapy, we seek to understand those layers, including how culture, identity, and lived experience shape the way you move through the world. As a Southeast Asian therapist, I recognize the nuance of that experience both personally and professionally.

We do this work together. I view therapy as an evolving relationship. In the beginning, I may guide a bit more. We’ll start by walking alongside each other until it’s time for me to take a step back and create more space for you to lead—with greater confidence, clarity, and trust in yourself. So you’re not doubting yourself all the time, you feel less “stuck,” and you have a clearer sense of what’s actually yours to carry and what isn’t.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW I WORK

  • “Michelle helped me through difficult personal and professional times with great care and provided me with the tools and tactics to help me navigate the tough feelings and situations that were brought up. She is a great listener and made me opened up my eyes to help me understand my experiences through a different perspective. For that I’m forever grateful.”

    —Verified Anonymous Client

  • Michelle is simply amazing. This was our first experience in couples therapy (and any form of therapy) and Michelle quickly earned our trust within the first few sessions. One thing we appreciate the most is how considerate she is in tailoring her practice and expertise with mindfulness of our cultural backgrounds. "We highly recommend you meet with her!"

    —Verified Anonymous Client

  • Working with Michelle has been incredibly impactful. Her trauma-informed approach blending EMDR, IFS, and Narrative—has helped me make real, lasting change. She’s direct in a grounded, respectful way and always asks permission to challenge me, which has expanded my perspective and helped me grow. I’d highly recommend her to anyone looking for a skilled, thoughtful therapist who both supports you and pushes you in the best way.

    —Verified Anonymous Client

  • Michelle is an incredibly insightful therapist whose support and perspective helped me overcome major challenges.

    —Verified Anonymous Client

Disclaimer: These testimonials reflect the unique, subjective experiences of former or current clients regarding their personal growth and the therapeutic relationship. They are shared with permission. These reflections do not guarantee, warrant, or predict identical experiences or outcomes for future clients. Every individual’s therapeutic journey and process of self-understanding is unique."

WAYS WE CAN WORK TOGETHER

  • For people who look like they have it together — but are stretched thin underneath it. You've probably already tried the books, the tools, the advice. This is where we go past coping skills and actually get at why these patterns exist in the first place.

    Explore: Anxiety · Burnout · EMDR

  • For partners who feel more like roommates than a team, and want to find their way back to each other.

    Explore →

  • Collaborative supervision for therapists

    Explore →

Not sure where to begin?

That's okay — you don't need to pick the "right" page. Every path starts with the same conversation.

Schedule a Consultation →

Get Started

01

Schedule a consultation to share what’s been going on and what you’re looking for. If it feels like we’re the right fit together, we’ll schedule a session and begin the work. 

Start the Conversation

02

There’s no set formula here. We’ll uncover what’s keeping you stuck, make sense of your feelings and experiences, and ultimately, find what will actually help.

Find Your Direction

03

Feel the Shift

As we continue this work, we move from simply understanding what’s going on to experiencing real, internal change. You’ll be creating long-term transformation, not just surface-level “fixes.”

Life will still have waves. Therapy can help you feel more grounded while moving through them.

Reach out today. Sessions available in-person in San Diego and online across California.

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