My warm, authentic, patient & empathetic personality helps me connect with my clients when providing psychotherapy. “Meet them where they are" is an old social worker saying, which is my guideline when initiating a therapeutic relationship. Majority of my work has been with people with history of trauma; personal beliefs affected are usually their sense of safety & trust. Therefore, I work diligently on building rapport & trust to foster the foundation of healing & change. For a decade, I have worked closely with active duty & reserve military personnel, veterans (from Afghanistan War to World War 2), & their families. I was fortunate to conduct treatments to college students, LGBTQ+, first responders/ LEO, athletes & coaches.
These are the some of the issues I have background treating:
Most modalities are pretty structured, but I have learned over the years that everyone is different & treatment could be modified to fit the client's needs. For trauma issues, I've utilized mixtures of Cognitive Processing, Prolonged Exposure, & Trauma Resiliency Model. For performance issues, I've utilized CBT & clinical hypnosis. For general anxiety & depression, CBT & Mindfulness. For couples, I've utilized the Gottman Method Couples Therapy. I am currently registered to take the Attachment-Focused EMDR (AF-EMDR) training.
Paulo Coelho writes, “Don’t allow your wounds to transform you into someone you are not.” I stand by this quote/philosophy & it helps me collaborate with my clients with their recovery & healing process. Traumas, biological conditions, or life major stressors can affect our life, but we can not let these define who we are.
I sought to become a mental health professional, because after I returned home from my 3rd combat deployment as an Infantryman, I had challenges re-adjusting to being a civilian. I wanted to research about myself & ways to help myself and my fellow veterans. I graduated from University of Southern California with a Master of Social Work (MSW) with Concentration on Mental Health & Military & Veterans (2013). I'm currently licensed to practice in California as an LCSW.
Being a mental health professional is a privilege, where I have the opportunity to learn about my clients' inner thoughts, obstacles, beliefs, dreams, & desires. The most satisfying part of being a psychotherapist is witnessing the growth & healing of my clients. The most profound thing I have learned over the decade is that our mind & body can do amazing things. Working with patients with physical issues, trauma, or history of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) have given me deep insight on the importance of the somatic issues people go through.
I am blessed to have come from a rich cultural & ethnic background. I was born in Jordan, then grew up in the Philippines & later in Guam. I am fluent in Tagalog as well. My household & family consist of Hispanic & API backgrounds. In addition, I am a proud US Marine & have sensitivity/understanding of the military culture. I live by the Marines iconic motto, Semper Fidelis, which is Latin for Always Faithful. Always faithful & committed to my faith, my country, my community, my family, & my beloved Corps.
These are the some of the issues I have background treating:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder & Moral Injuries from sexual trauma & combat trauma
- Depression & Anxiety
- Readjustment issues with Military & Veterans
- Performance in Sports, Work, & School
- Couples & Family
- Bereavement
Most modalities are pretty structured, but I have learned over the years that everyone is different & treatment could be modified to fit the client's needs. For trauma issues, I've utilized mixtures of Cognitive Processing, Prolonged Exposure, & Trauma Resiliency Model. For performance issues, I've utilized CBT & clinical hypnosis. For general anxiety & depression, CBT & Mindfulness. For couples, I've utilized the Gottman Method Couples Therapy. I am currently registered to take the Attachment-Focused EMDR (AF-EMDR) training.
Paulo Coelho writes, “Don’t allow your wounds to transform you into someone you are not.” I stand by this quote/philosophy & it helps me collaborate with my clients with their recovery & healing process. Traumas, biological conditions, or life major stressors can affect our life, but we can not let these define who we are.
I sought to become a mental health professional, because after I returned home from my 3rd combat deployment as an Infantryman, I had challenges re-adjusting to being a civilian. I wanted to research about myself & ways to help myself and my fellow veterans. I graduated from University of Southern California with a Master of Social Work (MSW) with Concentration on Mental Health & Military & Veterans (2013). I'm currently licensed to practice in California as an LCSW.
Being a mental health professional is a privilege, where I have the opportunity to learn about my clients' inner thoughts, obstacles, beliefs, dreams, & desires. The most satisfying part of being a psychotherapist is witnessing the growth & healing of my clients. The most profound thing I have learned over the decade is that our mind & body can do amazing things. Working with patients with physical issues, trauma, or history of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) have given me deep insight on the importance of the somatic issues people go through.
I am blessed to have come from a rich cultural & ethnic background. I was born in Jordan, then grew up in the Philippines & later in Guam. I am fluent in Tagalog as well. My household & family consist of Hispanic & API backgrounds. In addition, I am a proud US Marine & have sensitivity/understanding of the military culture. I live by the Marines iconic motto, Semper Fidelis, which is Latin for Always Faithful. Always faithful & committed to my faith, my country, my community, my family, & my beloved Corps.