My Approach | Journey Within

My Approach and Experiences

My Expertise:

I am thrilled you are here because you are my WHY! You are the reason I do what I do! I work and collaborate with individuals and groups of varying ages and life circumstances. If you are visiting this page to learn more about how I can support you, you might be looking for better ways to cope with life’s challenges, have better relationships, deal with tough life transitions or improve your overall mood.

My Approach (S)

In my practice of psychotherapy, I utilize the Strength-Based model as well as Person-Centered Therapy. I am a strong believer that every single one of us possesses a set of unique strengths and inner wisdom. However, many of us fail to tap into those inner strengths and sources for guidance. Utilizing the Strength-Based model, I collaborate with my clients to recognize their internal resources and strengths and utilize them in order to transform their lives into a meaningful and fulfilling

journey. As a Person-Centered therapist, I utilize empathy and a nonjudgmental stand in order to assist my clients to overcome depression, develop more self-esteem and self-reliance, and the ability to express their opinions freely.

I also recognize that some clients may benefit from supplemental treatment by other practitioners. Therefore, I assess my clients’ full range of needs, which would complement our therapy sessions, and explore with them how we can customize the most effective treatment using such other practitioners’ expertise.

Depression

We live in a stressful and uncertain time; tense political climate, the recent pandemic has resulted in a rise of depression and anxiety. You may be experiencing symptoms of depression including hopelessness, lack of motivation, emptiness, lack of sleep, under eating/ over eating. Yo may have lost a sense of joy in the activities you once enjoyed. It is more than likely that these feelings have negatively impacted the quality of your life, relationships, school and/or career.

Adolescence:

Anxiety

Self-Esteem Issues

Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations which can interfere with your daily activities. You may avoid situations to prevent these feelings. Utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy model, I would assist you in identifying and modifying your negative thoughts and beliefs (core belief) that have been contributing to your depression and anxiety. I would also guide you in developing more effective coping skills in order to combat stressful and crisis situations so you can undertake whatever challenge life throws at you.

Underneath feelings of low self-esteem are the negative beliefs and opinions we hold about ourselves. As your therapist, I will assist you in identifying your negative thoughts and “ limiting beliefs“. Then I would direct you to challenge those values and core belief. Only then you will begin to realize that your sense of worthlessness and low self-esteem perhaps had no basis in any facts! I will assist you in identifying your unrecognized strengths and re-train yourself to focus on positives and feel empowered and confident in your relationships and professional life.

Parenting

Caregiver Burnout

Many teens may suffer from excessive anxiety regarding school grades, self-concept, fitting in with peers, social conflicts or future career goals. Parents often neglect the fact that their adolescents children’s negative behavior and “acting out” maybe a result of confusion or reaction to an emotional pain they are experiencing. However, most teens may lack the self-awareness and psychological/emotional skills to deal with such intense emotions. This can lead to conflict between teens and parents. As their therapist, I help my teenage clients to challenge their negative assumptions and change their destructive thought patterns, and to deal with their underlying pain effectively. Changing their distorted and negative thoughts and assumptions, and dealing with their pain, can reduce their anxiety/stress and would improve their overall behavior and interactions with peers and family.

Cultural Issues

It is certainly not a myth that we live in the ultimate melting pot! Many immigrants may struggle adjusting/adapting to the mainstream culture, while their children maybe experiencing such a hard time relating to them and their old country value system and expectations. This would result in a breakdown of communication and a cultural clash between them, ultimately affecting the overall health of the family dynamic. As an inter-cultural therapist, and a first generation immigrant, I can understand and certainly empathize with these challenges and struggles. I will assist both parents and their children to develop empathy and understanding towards each other’s values and traditions, and facilitate a healthy and close relationship between them.

Without any doubt, the journey of parenthood is one of the most difficult ones to embark on and it can bring up many issues for parents including fear, guilt, confusion and uncertainty. In relationship to their children, I would provide support for my clients in some of these areas:

communicating effectively
creating & maintaining boundaries
losing patience & "keeping your cool during disagreements or upsetting moments"
setting up and sustaining behavior plans with your child
negotiating & setting limits
giving praise and validation
connecting meaningfully with your child
staying present and enjoying the moment
coping with a medical or mental health diagnosis
co-parenting as a team with your spouse or former spouse

If you are ready to transform your relationship and creating a positive bond with your child that you crave, and can look at yourself as the source of that change, I cannot wait to work with you!

Many of us are caregivers to our elderly parents/relatives, or maybe dealing with the stress or challenges of being parents of special-needs children. “Caregiver burnout” is real and it can be overwhelming. It is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion. Caregivers who are "burnt out" may experience fatigue, stress, anxiety and depression. If you are a caregiver, you maybe neglecting your own emotional, physical and spiritual health. As your therapist, I will assist you in developing realistic expectations, formulate self-care routines, seek needed services such as respite or a support group, and ultimately establish a sense of balance in your life while remaining a caring and strong caregiver to your loved ones.

Covid-19

You may be experiencing multiple challenges adjusting to the “New Normal”. You may have lost your dream job or got laid off from a position that you dedicated years of your life to. Perhaps you are feeling alone and isolated away from friends and family and your support system. You may be feeling guilty for not being able to care for your elderly parents/relatives anymore. You may have lost a loved one due to Covid-19 and have not been able to grief properly. You may find yourself having more arguments with your family, spouse and children. Perhaps you have been drinking or using a substance more, in order to cope with the above stresses of the pandemic.

Please know that you are not alone and your feelings and experiences are valid as they are natural responses to the most serious health crisis of the recent history. As your therapist, I will listen to your concerns, pain and fears and will assist you to develop effective coping skills and strategies in order to combat the stresses associated with this pandemic. I provide Video Sessions to address the needs of all my clients during this pandemic.