IFS and EMDR Therapy in California
We live in very challenging times. I am here to help if you are feeling overwhelmed or struggling emotionally. Therapy can help you build resilience and stay emotionally healthy despite the challenges that you are facing.
Managing life can be difficult whether you are experiencing stress, anxiety, grief, and/or trauma. You may also be facing stressors, such as health problems, family and relational issues, and/or work challenges. Your confidence may be impacted and self-doubt begins to take over. Thus it’s hard to engage with others and to trust yourself. Discouragement grows, resulting in a more unhealthy perspective of yourself. Sometimes you may ruminate about what you could have done differently.
At other times, you may be up at night worrying. You notice that it is hard to stay present. Moving forward becomes challenging. You wonder if you’ll ever get there. As a California-licensed therapist, I specialize in stress, anxiety, and trauma.
As an Asian American therapist, I specialize in working with AAPI and South Asians (or Desi Americans) who are exploring the impact of cultural conflict, generational expectations, and professional identity on their mental health. My background in corporate informs my approach while working with high-achieving clients who are balancing demanding careers and personal needs.
If you're a healthcare provider or first responder experiencing burnout or trauma, I am an EMDR therapist who can support your healing and emotional recovery. If you are fearful of social interactions and/or public speaking, EMDR also can be helpful. And lastly, EMDR also can be helpful for performance enhancement for athletes and artists.
Therapy doesn’t have to be intimidating. Let’s work together to develop new tools, shift limiting beliefs, and support lasting change. Reach out for a consultation today. I look forward to hearing from you.
Areas of Practice
Psychotherapy
I am an Asian therapist serving clients who are in California including San Francisco, Oakland, Bay Area, Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Diego. I will be ready to listen and help you in this journey whether you are hoping to explore or grow your ability to cope or manage your emotional health in our therapy sessions. Staying healthy emotionally helps one to be resilient in times of stress and promotes psychological flexibility.
Please read more about my skills and the modalities that I use by clicking on the About Me page.
Coaching
If you have a growth mindset and want to further discern and motivate yourself towards more satisfaction for your personal and/or professional life, I can help you to discern your options and next steps. Personally, we will address blocking and limiting beliefs impacting work relationships and succession planning. Professionally, we will work on identifying gaps, esp. if you are in the early and mid career stages. I can help you to stay motivated and continue with progress despite workplace politics and other challenges.
Please read more about my experiences and certification on the About Me page.
Supervision and Consultation
Nothing excites me more than helping early clinicians achieve better understanding and clarity in their practice. Please contact me if you are interested in being supervised in your clinical practice.
Client Testimonials
Here are some comments made by clients about their experience in therapy with Karen:
“For someone else who is coming into therapy but has never done it before, I'd say that it takes time. Just keep showing up, and it will pay off.” - Client
“Karen listens to what I say. She is personable and friendly.” - Client
“I don’t feel judged. Karen helps me to think for myself in a safe environment. It makes me want to be vulnerable.” - Client
“I remember going into my first session with Karen that I felt hopeless and stuck in my situation. All I could think about is how the World was moving on without me and I was repeating life without meaning. I was waking up just to keep my normal body functioning but would go to sleep feeling like it was just another day in a mundane life that I didn’t feel I belong to. During the session, Karen listened to me, offered some ways for me to understand my emotions and let me put them into words. I thought, I’m not sure where this is going but I have no other option so continued to work with Karen. Immediately after, it just felt good to be heard and not judged or feeling judged by anther person.”
“Karen understood the cultural background that I grew up in and her approach came from a point of understanding and not speculations. My previous two therapists prior to Karen had different approaches such as trying to set short term goals for me which made me feel worse when I was not completing those goals. My next therapist had a tough love approach that told me that I was doing wrong and what I could do to change. Karen instead helped me understood why I was feeling the way I was and help me come to terms with trauma, self-confidence, and even failing.” - Client
“I like the balance in our sessions- I get to share but I also get to hear feedback. I like that I get practical tools and it’s not just talking.” - Client
“It was life changing.” - Client
“The advice I would have is that everyone can benefit from therapy but not everyone will have the right therapist that they can connect to. I would say I am the lucky few who have met the perfect therapist for me in just 3 tries. I would also suggest to trust the process and give each therapist a few tries because you don’t see change immediately but only when you look back can you see the progress you’ve made. I didn’t understand the method but every month, I kept getting comments from my significant other who notices subtle changes. By the end, I was so proud of myself that I couldn’t contain my excitement about how far I’ve grown.” - Client
Get in Touch
Have questions? Please contact me for a FREE 20 min phone consultation by clicking on the button below.