I believe that we are all born whole—perfect in our imperfections.

My work is not about “fixing” anyone or anything.

Instead, I support my patients to reconnect to lost parts of themselves—strengths, qualities, and capabilities that are inherent in all of us, but that have been diminished or pushed away due to life’s circumstances.

Think of a flower. Under the right conditions, a flower naturally flourishes and blossoms, unique in its form and expression. However, take away necessary elements and it will struggle. Expose it to toxic conditions and it will wither.

As human beings, we are the same. We need food, shelter, a sense of safety, connection, acceptance, belonging and fulfillment in order to thrive. We also fare better when we are protected from abuse, neglect, violence, and any stressors and situations that are beyond our developmental capabilities to adequately cope.

Unfortunately, many of us grew up in stressful environments or faced challenges without adequate understanding or support. We did the best that we could, and the fact that we are still standing is a testament to our resilience.

However, we most likely still carry these early traumas, which lead to negative beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world–our nervous systems have been so dysregulated that it makes it tough to truly thrive.

I believe that all longstanding, chronic physical and mental health conditions stem from a dysregulation of our emotional system, which physiologically is connected to major systems of our bodies including our nervous, immune, and hormonal systems.

Therefore, we simply cannot just treat symptoms, and it is not enough to only treat at the physical level. Body, mind, emotions and spirit are all connected.

What I find is that in most modern-day societies, we are extremely disconnected from our emotions. Most of us were not taught growing up how to compassionately hold space for our emotions. Most of us probably do not even know what that means.

Therefore, the work that I do is teaching my patients these necessary skills to connect with their internal landscape, to learn how to befriend their emotions and to listen to the wisdom that their emotions convey.

Since childhood, I’ve sensed that life is meant to be more than a repetitive cycle, filled with responsibilities and stress. My story mirrors that of many children of immigrants, navigating the pressure to excel academically at the expense of self-expression and exploration. Struggling with depression and anxiety since childhood (unbeknownst to me until later in life), I inherited intergenerational trauma from parents who survived the Vietnam War and came from colonized, patriarchal cultures.

I know the challenges of living up to high standards, suppressing emotions, feeling misunderstood, and grappling with the complexities of dual cultures (East vs West). My final year at naturopathic medical school became particularly challenging as I began seeing patients and confronted unresolved trauma. Embracing the wisdom that “we can only take our patients as far as we have gone ourselves,” I sought therapy, setting the stage for a transformative healing journey.

I’ve engaged in various modalities, from trauma healing and meditation retreats to plant medicine ceremonies and women’s circles. Today, I feel more connected to myself than ever before. It’s not always easy, but I’ve learned to catch myself when slipping into old stress-inducing patterns. Overcoming difficulties reinforced the importance of seeking help and finding supportive communities.

Life unfolds, and challenges persist, but it doesn’t feel as daunting. I’ve discovered joy and peace amid difficulties. True well-being isn’t about avoiding adversity; it’s about recognizing my worthiness, seeking support, and embracing life’s inherent beauty. I believe in continuous evolution, and while challenges persist, life is wonderful. My journey has taught me that peace and joy are attainable through practice.

I aspire to help you discover your own sense of peace, worthiness, and zest for life.