Hello, I’m Mike (He/Him/His):
As a queer, second-generation, Asian-American (Vietnamese-American) therapist, my work is centered around helping individuals to lean into their innate deservedness, nurture their authentic selves, and unlock possibilites that can open up when they are given space to redefine their relationships with themselves, their connections, and the world around them.
I believe that everything that has been learned can be unlearned. I believe in the power to change your mind, the power to take up space, and the power to believe that we are always good enough no matter what.
I am a recovering perfectionist— it was my way of protecting myself from the prejudice I experienced for being queer. It’s what I did to prove to others that I could fit into the model minority stereotype expected of Asian-Americans. It’s what drove me into my initial career in the corporate world where I learned that pushing past my limits and always saying “yes” to every opportunity was a recipe for burnout. It’s why I decided to let go of the belief that my worth was dependent on what I had to offer or how valuable my work was perceived by others. It’s why I decided to pursue my passion in mental health to give back to my communities.
My hope is that through the wisdom of my lived experiences, I can collaborate with you to develop a life that feels more authentically aligned. I hope to remind you that you’re not alone, that this work is deeply relational, and that you have the power to change your life if you’re willing to be vulnerable. Most of all, I hope to remind you that you’re already enough.
I’m grateful you’re here and would be honored to witness you on your journey.
A few things I wonder about as a therapist:
I wonder about the relief that might be felt from embracing our imperfections as a sign of our common humanity rather than a measure of our worth.
I wonder if wearing a mask of who we think we should be prevents us from letting others see who we actually are.
I wonder what it would be like to give ourselves permission to step away from the things we no longer have the capacity to hold instead of pretending it isn’t heavy.
I wonder if our grief and pain point us to deeply important areas of our lives that are deserving of our care and attention.
I wonder what it would be like if we stopped shaming ourselves for finding it difficult to thrive in a society that doesn’t always support our wellness.
-
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist - The Nest Counseling Center
Marriage and Family Therapy Trainee - LGBTQ Center OC
-
CAMFT: California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
-
M.A. in Clinical Psychology with Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy - Pepperdine University
B.S. in Accounting and Business Administration, with Emphasis in Finance - Chapman University
-
Levels 1 & 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy - The Gottman Institute
Externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy - International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)
ACT for Depression and Anxiety Disorders - Psychwire
Dr. Dan Siegel’s Comprehensive Interpersonal Neurobiology - The Mindsight Institute
“Queer people don't grow up as ourselves, we grow up playing a version of ourselves that sacrifices authenticity to minimize humiliation & prejudice. The massive task of our adult lives is to unpick which parts of ourselves are truly us & which parts we've created to protect us.”
— Alexander Leon
“Contrary to what we may have been taught to think, unnecessary and unchosen suffering wounds us but need not scar us for life. It does mark us. What we allow the mark of our suffering to become is in our own hands.”
— Bell Hooks, All About Love: New Visions
Online therapy for California residents.
