EDUCATION:

- B.S. in Psychology, Beijing University, China

- M.A. in Cognitive Psychology, The University of Chicago

- M.A. in Counseling (Marriage, Family and Child), Palo Alto University

- J.D. in Law, The University of Chicago Law School​​

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SPECILIZATION AND FOCUS

Psychotherapy is a continuing journey for therapists as much as it is for our clients.  Ongoing personal and professional growth is my commitment to you as your therapist and to myself.  Recent workshops, seminars and trainings include:​

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Hakomi Mindfulness Somatic Psychotherapy:

I'm a Certified Hakomi Therapist (CHT), a designation reflecting not only in-depth therapeutic skills after rigorous multi-year trainings but also the therapist's demonstrated commitment to the Hakomi principles, to continued, ongoing professional development, and to personal growth.  Some of the core Hakomi trainings include:

• Mindfulness-Centered Couples Therapy Training

• Hakomi Comprehensive Training (Level 1, a 9-month program)

• Hakomi Professional Training (Level 1 and 2; teaching assistant) (each training is an 8-month program)

• Hakomi International Training, with senior trainers Rob Fisher and Julie Murphy

• Hakomi skills group, with senior trainer Mukara Meredith (also founder of Matrix Group)

• Ongoing monthly Hakomi Couples Therapy Group, with senior trainer Rob Fisher (since 2022)

• Ongoing monthly Hakomi skills group, with senior trainer Rob Fisher (2022, 2023 and 2024 full year)

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Couple Therapy:

Hakomi Mindfulness Somatic Couples Therapy​​

The Gottman Method:

• Level I training completed (1997)

• Level II training completed (2020)

• Level III practicum completed (2024)

• Certification prerequisite: Treating Affairs and Trauma in Couples (2024)

• Certification prerequisite: Couples and Addiction (2025)

The Developmental Model of Couples Therapy (by Ellyn Bader/Peter Pearson, Couples Institute): 

• The Developmental Model of Couples Therapy (9 months training program)

• Numerous workshops with founders Dr. Bader and Dr. Peterson

Relational Life Therapy (by Terry Real):​​

• Relational Life Therapy - Level 1 completed (since 2021)

• Couples Experiential Workshops (2021; 2023)

• Healing Power of Relationship Summit

• Ongoing couples therapy consultation group with Terry Real (since 2021)​

Sexuality; Sexual Diversity; Polyamory: 

• Dr. Marty Klein - Sexual Intelligence Workshops

• Dr. Marty Klein - Couples/Sex Therapy Consultation Group (2020-2021; 2025 monthly ongoing)

• Dr. Marty Klein - Webinars on sexual behaviors, individual agency and relational health 

• Institute of Relational Intimacy (Martha Kauppi) - CNM Level 1 (2024)​​

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Grief and Trauma

• Kara-Grief agency (Palo Alto, CA), grief therapy for individuals and grief support groups (2016-2019)

• Intensive Trauma Treatment Course, by Bassel van der Kolk

• Grief Summit

• Suicide Prevention Summit

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Intensive (Pesi)

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Depression, Anxiety and Stress​

• Ongoing workshops on current first-line of treatment and evidence-based approaches, including CBT, ACT, DBT, etc., with the goal of staying informed of the latest development in this important and fast evolving field

• Workshops on integrating experiential, psychosomatic and Ericksonian/hypnotic approaches in the management of mood and impulse regulation

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CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE: 

I believe that mindful living brings us joy, compassion and purpose

• Compassion Cultivation Training, CCARE, Stanford University

• Compassion Immersion-2, with Robert Cusick (founder of the Applied Compassion Academy)

• Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR), UCSF - Osher Center

• Hakomi mindfulness practice groups

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AFFILIATIONS AND LICENSE:

• AAMFT (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy), Clinical Fellow

• CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists), Member; former Board committee member (2023-2024)

• SCV-CAMFT (Santa Clara Valley Chapter of CAMFT), Member; former Board member (2021)

• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (CA# 119101)

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COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERISM

I believe that volunteerism is a beautiful way of cultivating love and purpose in my life and sharing the same in the community.

• Peer support and community building: Facilitates the Asian Pacific-Islander Therapist Support Group (CAMFT-SCV)

• Justice and equity for underserved youths and families:

  • Acknowledge Alliance, high school counselor for high risks adolescents (2018-2019); ongoing supporter

  • Family Connections, Board member (2013-14); Program Committee member (2014-2021); ongoing supporter

• Grief support: Kara-Grief Support (since 2016)

  • CORE member - On-site crisis support to local schools, organizations, companies, families etc. process grief and loss

  • Volunteer at Camp Kara, an annual grief camp for children and youth

• Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM): trained in Basic and Advanced CISM with Janet Childs of Bay Area CISM Team