Gratitude
Acknowledgements
This practice did not emerge in isolation. It was shaped by mentors, colleagues, and companions who believed in the work—and in me—before I fully did myself.
Dr. Miyoung Yoon-Hammer PhD and Migum Gweon, LMFT, who supervised me through Fuller Seminary’s faculty-led practicum—a program unique to the Pasadena campus, in which select students receive direct guidance from licensed faculty.
Kelly Penner, LMFT and Irene Rapp, LMFT of Fuller’s Family and Personal Counseling Service, who introduced me to the particular demands and gifts of community clinic work.
Naj Alikhan, LMFT (now of Therapy with Naj), who took a chance on me as an associate when I convinced him to become a clinical supervisor with me as his first supervisee. Naj introduced me to Emmada and to Dr. Williamson, and gave me the confidence to trust my instincts—and my clients’.
Dr. Rick Williamson PhD, also of Emmada Psychology Center, whose steady presence and clinical grounding shaped my early formation.
Dr. Ben Russell, PsyD, of Positive Development, who deepened my understanding of what it means to meet clients where they are.
Bryan Nguyen, LMFT, who supervised my work at Santa Clara University’s Counseling and Psychological Services.
My fellow Therapists in Residence at Santa Clara University, whose consistent collegiality and mutual respect made the work feel sustainable.
Bich Nguyen-Hamilton, LMFT, also of Santa Clara University, whose wise counsel and quiet courage have been an example I return to often.
Dr. Dennis Sorta, MD, of Psychiatric Alternatives, whose care helped me heal from chronic burnout and showed me firsthand that medicine does not have to be gatekeeping—a lesson that lives in how I try to practice.
Daniel Later, my CPA, whose steadiness behind the scenes made the practical reality of this practice possible.
Michael Erkelens, whose entrepreneurial spirit and marketing expertise were gifts delivered not as consulting, but as friendship.
Anupam and Vinsu, friends whose steadfast encouragement helped me stay true to myself through every season of this journey.
Jorgie Wu, LMFT and Angela Wu, LMFT, graduate school companions whose own courageous paths into private practice remind me that this is possible.
Clarise Ballesteros, LCSW, who has been my main source of inspiration and clarity these past three years. Her passion, clinical prowess, and commitment to client advocacy are formidable—but above all, she is a solid friend who has been, and will continue to be, a much-needed witness to the craziness/beautiful chaos that is the life of a therapist in this world.
To my parents—for everything that came before any of this, and for the foundation you gave me without which none of it would have been possible.
To my spouse, Jerry: thank you for building this with me—literally. You helped create this website, took the photos, and have been my closest companion through every step of what it took to get here. Above all, you have given me the security to do this work.
Therapy is, at its core, a practice of witnessing. But long before I could offer that to anyone else, I needed to be witnessed myself. I believe healing is never a solo endeavor—not for our clients, and not for us. This page exists because I want to be transparent about that. The care I offer is not mine alone; it is the accumulated gift of every relationship that shaped me.
There are many others I would love to name here—colleagues, teachers, and chance encounters that quietly shaped the way I think and practice. If we haven’t connected in a while, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to catch up over tea.