Who I am, and how I got here:

Moving to the United States when I was 18 set the stage for many of the reasons I pursued becoming a therapist. As an immigrant and a bi-lingual individual, I have a lived experience of the unique difficulties of assimilating in a new country and culture, which fuels my passion for the clients I work with. As a new mother myself, I felt compelled to pursue a certification in perinatal mental health to deepen my work with those struggling with fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and child/infant loss. My practice direction and focus lies in the balance between my own experience and identity, and the practical/formal training I have acquired along the way. In our work together, I hope to help you rediscover your innate resourcefulness and collaborate with you in creating a life that nurtures and sustains you.

Who I help:

While my practice welcomes individuals from all backgrounds who are navigating challenging life transitions, I am particularly passionate about supporting women, immigrants, and AANHPI individuals in their unique circumstances surrounding relationships, work, identity, pregnancy/postpartum, and parenthood. I also enjoy working with those struggling to make sense of the dating world post-divorce/separation (and in general), and discovering together what may be getting in the way of finding the happiness they deserve.

How I help:

Like most therapists, I blend a variety of modalities in my practice with an emphasis on being attachment-based and emotion-focused. Together we will explore your past and present, and identify patterns that shape the lens through which you experience the world. Therapy is never one size fits all, so I strive to always meet you where you are, be present, supportive, and help you achieve balance in every way I can.

Off the clock:

I find that being outdoors in any capacity has a tremendous positive effect on my mental health, so outside of work you can typically find me hiking/backpacking, snowboarding, playing volleyball, gardening, or just spending some quality time in my backyard with my family and our two dogs. When the weather doesn’t cooperate, I enjoy baking, cooking, and curling up with a good non-fiction book.

Insurance and programs accepted:

Premera, Aetna

Paula is also a Lotus Therapy Fund provider through the Asian Mental Health Collective (AMHC). AMHC aspires to make mental health easily available, approachable, and accessible to Asian communities in the US and Canada. This program offers 8 free therapy sessions to folks who qualify and on a seasonal basis. Please visit the links above to learn more.

availability:

Limited virtual openings. Contact to discuss specific openings.

EDUCATION:

• Master’s Degree (MA) in Clinical Psychology, Argosy University Honolulu class of 2011

• Bachelor’s Degree (BA) in Psychology and English, University of Hawaii Manoa class of 2009

LICENSURE:

• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Washington - LH60665882