Immigration/Acculturation

As an immigrant, I have experienced the US immigration process and how terrifying it is, and I have worked through the hard road of acculturation. I know how disorienting the process can be, and I’m here to provide a safe, understanding space for immigrants to process their experiences. I value multiculturalism and the unique challenges each immigrant faces. Together, we’ll navigate this journey with empathy and resilience.

Emotional challenges related to being an immigrant can feel insurmountable. A fast-changing political and socio-economic landscape can make it hard to open up unless you feel safe, and completely comfortable. Living as an immigrant can be stressful and often comes with its own set of unique difficulties. As an immigrant, I have a deep understanding of acculturative stress, and immigration trauma. Together we can navigate the emotional and psychological challenges faced by our communities.

Being an immigrant myself, and providing services in Spanish and Portuguese allows me to access an increasing part of USA-living populations, the Latine/Hispanic community. I have great experience working with clients experiencing adjustment issues due to migration/acculturation, chronic trauma, childhood and adult abuse, grief and loss.

Growing up in immigrant families often means straddling two worlds, which can create tension, confusion, and stress. I work with adult children of immigrants to help them navigate this complex identity and communicate openly with their families.

I was born and raised in the small, beautiful South American country of Ecuador, and immigrated to the United States when I was 17 years old. I am a Licensed Associate Counselor and completed my Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling at the University of Phoenix. I currently provide therapy for children (ages 6+), adolescents, adults, couples, families, and individuals from different populations. I am also a bi-lingual therapist fluent in Spanish and English.

I specialize in exploring the unconscious impacts of immigration and acculturation. I help clients navigate the emotional complexities of identity, belonging, and cultural integration, uncovering how early experiences and internalized cultural conflicts shape their current struggles. Through this process, we work to integrate past and present, fostering a sense of self that honors both heritage and personal growth.

I'm an immigrant from Greece and the Middle East who is now naturalized in the United States. As someone who identifies as racially ambiguous, I'm passionate about serving immigrant communities and addressing cross-cultural dynamics. I know firsthand how branching out while maintaining a connection to your culture can feel impossible. In therapy, I will work with you through a culturally-humble and culturally-affirming lens to help you navigate these challenging dynamics.

I have the experience not only of having, myself, lived and worked in other countries in my adult life, but of having worked with refugees, immigrants, dislocated peoples, expats living abroad, and persons who have returned to their country of origin, as well as, those unable to return to the country of origin. I have an existential and person-centered non-pathologizing lens through which each person's lived experience is honored and is at the core of the therapeutic relationship.

I completed an APA-accredited predoctoral internship at RAMS, Inc., a community mental health agency in San Francisco, California. As part of my work at RAMS, I completed clinical rotations at the Comprehensive Crisis Center, PAES Vocational services, and an outpatient clinic. The didactic part of my training at RAMS focused on cultural competency, which has been an essential part of my clinical work with first-generation immigrants in psychotherapy.

Growing up in immigrant families often means straddling two worlds, which can create tension, confusion, and stress. I work with adult children of immigrants to help them navigate this complex identity and communicate openly with their families.

I grew up in Italy and moved to the U.S. over a decade ago to attend Columbia University, so I understand the challenges of adapting to a new culture while staying connected to your roots. I’ve also worked at a college counseling center in NYC, supporting international graduate and undergraduate students as they adjusted to life in a new country. Whether you're navigating cultural shifts, visa uncertainty, or feeling caught between worlds, I provide a space where all parts of you are welcome.

Together we will explore issues of home, belonging, and identity, as well as cultural expectations, individuality, and choice.

As an immigrant myself, I understand firsthand the challenges and triumphs that come with the process of adapting to a new culture and country. My personal journey has deepened my empathy for the emotional complexities of immigration and acculturation. I'll provide a safe, inclusive space for you to explore your unique journey and its emotional nuances.

I am a bilingual therapist fluently in English and Mandarin. I am familiar with culturally competent therapy and service. Born and raised in Taiwan, I have worked and clinically trained in the U.S in various Asian mental health setting including hospital outpatient department, community mental health clinic, school-based mental health services, and private practice. As an Asian American psychotherapist, I naturally connect with immigration and acculturation issues that clients experience.

I come from a unique background of spending my early childhood in South Korea and navigating the issues of adapting to a new culture after immigrating to the United States. I'm also passionate about raising awareness about the importance of therapy and destigmatizing mental illness in Asian American communities.

One of our core founding principles is to support individuals and families struggling with the challenges of adapting to a new culture, acculturation and adjustment to a new cultural environment while honoring their cultural heritage and supporting their mental health. Our awareness and advocacy of the trauma of immigration we support clients in achieving integration and resilience in their new environment.

I am an immigration evaluation therapist who has been conducting immigration evaluations since 2015. At this time, I offer immigration evaluations for the following types of cases: Hardship, Cancellation of Removal, Removal of Conditions, VAWA (for men and women), and U-Visa. I offer evaluations for clients located in the following states: Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and South Carolina.

Every immigration story is a trauma story. Immigration & acculturation can cause depression, anxiety, ptsd, difficulties in multiple areas of life. I help with validation, processing, coping, and navigating though this complex time.