My Story

Growing up, I longed for connection and understanding—but this often felt like an uphill battle. My parents immigrated from Taiwan, and the cultural and generational differences between us created a sense of emotional distance. Living in suburban Illinois, I often felt like the odd one out—neither fully understood at home nor fully belonging outside it.

During high school, I moved to the Bay Area and attended a highly competitive school in San Jose. While I found comfort being around other children of immigrants who shared the AAPI experience, I also felt the heavy pressure to succeed. The relentless drive for academic excellence left little space to explore who I really was.

That pressure followed me to UC Berkeley, where I began college on the pre-med track. Becoming a medical doctor was a dream my family held for me—and I genuinely wanted to make them proud. But inside, I felt unfulfilled. I was going through the motions of what success “should” look like, disconnected from my own strengths and passions.

Eventually, I gave myself permission to explore psychology—an interest born out of my desire to understand people, culture, identity, and relationships. Studying psychology helped me make sense of my own experiences: the anxiety, the disconnect, the stigma around mental health, the impact of the Model Minority Myth. I learned I didn’t have to choose between cultures or identities—I could honor all the parts of me.

I know how painful it is to feel like you're fighting against yourself—questioning your needs, silencing your voice, and pushing aside the quiet longing for something more. My mission as a therapist is to help you turn toward that longing, amplify your inner voice, and gently quiet the noise of external expectations.

I support people in exploring what it means to live authentically and with purpose—aligned with their values, passions, and priorities. Together, we work to remove the barriers that get in the way: anxiety, self-doubt, cultural pressures, past trauma, or perfectionism. Whether you're navigating work, relationships, creativity, or identity, therapy can help you come home to yourself.