Hi! I’m Mina, and this is for you 💐.

It’s so easy to lose sight of our true selves in a world that constantly tells us how we “should” behave, what we “should” chase after, and the roles we “should” play in society.

Whatever has brought you here, it couldn’t have been easy. Maybe you’ve been caught up trying to meet everyone else’s expectations, and nothing you do seems to be enough. Maybe you feel like anxiety or depression has had a chokehold on you for a while now. Or maybe you’ve lost sense of direction navigating the fine lines of the different identities and roles that you hold. 

Whatever it may be, I’m glad that you are here, and you are welcome as you are. I’m Mina, and I am committed to providing you a safe, judgment-free space conducive to growth, healing, and self-exploration. 

Therapy with Me 

Approaching therapy (especially for the first time) can be a daunting task! Here is a little bit about what you can expect from therapy with me. 

I view therapy as a collaborative relationship between you and me in which there are two large goals:

1. To equip you with the tools you need to manage whatever it is you are struggling with
2. To empower you with a sense of agency and autonomy that allows you to become the catalyst of change in your life 

We would begin by discussing where you are in your journey and what brings you to therapy. I may ask you about your background, your family dynamics, your thoughts on your cultural identity, any patterns you’ve noticed in your life/behavior, coping skills you typically employ, your support system, and so on. Then together we would set specific goals for your time in therapy which would be the center of our sessions. I like to emphasize that healing is not necessarily linear and life circumstances change, as do people! You may experience what feels like setbacks and natural ebbs and flows in your journey, and your goals for therapy may change as well. And that’s okay! I will walk alongside you every step of the way.

Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression – vastly common but difficult experiences. Anxiety has you living in a scary future that you don’t even know exists, while depression may have you trapped in the past. 

Together we can explore the thought patterns that may be contributing to and exacerbating these unpleasant feelings. We can increase awareness of specific triggers and how that affects your experiences. We can examine what’s been working, what hasn’t been, and explore new ways to live a fuller life engaged in the present.

Therapy for Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents

Emotionally immature (or preoccupied) parents (EIPs) are typically so self-preoccupied that they fail to be attuned to their children’s internal experiences. To take it a step further, many EIPs actually promote “role reversal,” in which the parent becomes the child, relying on their children to be their emotional caretakers. They can be emotionally insensitive, lack empathy and self-awareness, and can seem nearly impossible to communicate with. Their emotional volatility, egocentrism, and lack of respect for differences may leave their children in a state of constant anxiety and shame.

Children depend on their caretakers not only for their physical health and safety, but also as their primary source of emotional intimacy, safety, and dependence. Without that, these children often develop a profound, seemingly inconsolable sense of emotional loneliness that carries into adulthood.

Whether you are just beginning to learn about this concept or you have been on the healing journey for some time, I would love to work alongside you. Together we can explore and increase understanding of the impacts of being brought up by an EIP, strengthen your boundary-setting muscles, and discover your authentic self.

Burnout, Perfectionism, and Work-Life Balance

In a climate of hustle culture, it’s so easy to get swept up in the current of endless tasks, struggling to get a foot onto the next step up on the corporate ladder. In many ways, we are taught that overworking and exhausting ourselves is deserving of a badge of glory. If we are not in constant pursuit of more and better, we are failing. 

At one point you might find yourself wondering, what is the point? For what and for who am I really doing all this? How is this really working out for me? Granted, it’s great to strive for excellence and to have goals, but it’s also important to check in with ourselves regarding our intentions and the impact our lifestyles are having on our well-being.

Working together, we may take a step back to look at the bigger picture and explore ideas such as:

• What brings me joy? 
• What gives me energy? What drains my energy?
• What are my top values in life?
• What kind of person do I want to be, and what kind of impact do I want to have on the world or those around me?
• What is my body telling me that I need?
• Are there any boundaries that I could set to better serve my needs and values?

People-Pleasing, Setting Boundaries

Here’s a quick list you may want to use to check in with yourself:

• I find myself walking on eggshells around my coworkers, classmates, family, friends, romantic partner(s)
• I am quick to perceive slight changes in tone of voice, facial expression, or texting style
• I suppress or hide my desires and feelings in order to put those of others first 
• I have trouble saying no
• I have trouble asking for help
• I have trouble asking for what I want/need from other people
• I identify as a giver
• It bothers me more than I’d like to admit when people don’t (seem to) like me

You might have found that your answers are “yes” to a majority of this list, and you’ve come to a point where’s it just not working for you anymore. Some questions we may want to discuss together are what effect have the above items had on your self-esteem, mental well-being, and relationships? Are there certain feelings you are trying to avoid or experience by doing any of the above items? What narratives have you internalized regarding the idea of self-advocacy? How can we be both compassionate AND make sure to take care of ourselves?

My Approach

Here is a little more about my approach:

Person-Centered: You are the expert of your life, and I am an unconditional supporter. I understand that every person is unique, and I am here to provide you with a safe space of empathy in which you can make sense of your experiences.

Solutions-Focused: We focus on the strengths and resources in your hands. We discuss practical, actionable steps to find solutions and lead to bigger changes. 

ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy): We acknowledge that all thoughts and emotions, both pleasant and unpleasant, are part of the full, authentic human experience. We discuss what your values are and how you can live a fuller life in accordance with your values. 

Lastly, here is one of my favorite quotes by one of my favorite psychotherapists, Virginia Satir: 

“I believe the greatest gift I can conceive of having from anyone is to be seen by them, heard by them, to be understood and touched by them.” 

I would be honored to provide this gift for you.💐

Registered California Board of Behavioral Sciences Number: AMFT 134062

Supervised by Amanda Lee, LCSW 74719