Meet Steph

Hi, my name is Steph (LCSW CA 127453; LICSW DC LC200003288). I’m a second generation Taiwanese-American and Washington, D.C. native. I’m passionate about supporting folks slow down and connect with their embodied selves. In session, this often looks like discovering how our bodies respond to and communicate with us, exploring systems & beliefs we find ourselves unconsciously responding from, and tending to areas of stuckness we encounter between our minds & bodies.

If you find yourself feeling stuck translating what you know into how you feel, we might be a great fit. Many of my clients identify as self-aware individuals who experience a disconnect between their rational and emotional selves. They may have years of therapy under their belt, or none at all, yet find themselves frustrated around being able to move through difficult emotions and experiences.

Those of us who grew up in spaces absent from emotional language often find ourselves at a loss with where to start in this work. The idea of ‘taking care’ of ourselves can feel foreign and oftentimes selfish in relation to what we’ve learnt to prioritize and invest in. If you find yourself here, know that you’re not alone. It takes courage to seek support, particularly in a space that feels new. Together, let’s get curious about all that you’ve been holding onto, and discover what coming back to your authentic and chosen self looks like.

If this sounds aligned with your needs, or you’re still wondering whether we could be a good fit, I’d be happy to meet with you for a complimentary 15-minute consultation session.

My Approach

My therapeutic approach is rooted in trauma-informed therapy, with a specialization in nervous system–informed and somatic-based approaches. Many survival patterns become so familiar over time that they can feel like “just the way things are,” even when our bodies are living in a state of tension or disconnection that feels normal. Often, we may not even realize how much we’re holding until we begin to gently tune in. I’m deeply passionate about supporting individuals in reconnecting with their bodies, and meeting these experiences with curiosity, care, and compassion.

In our work together, I draw from somatic and mindfulness-based practices to support our awareness and understanding of what unfolds within the body. We explore the ways your body communicates with you, bringing attention to familiar emotional patterns and responses that may have developed over time. As this awareness deepens, we will build a set of tools to support with emotional processing and nervous system regulation. This space is collaborative, and is always guided by what feels most aligned and supportive to you.

Is My Approach Right for You?

It can be hard to find a therapist that you truly feel aligned with. Here are some things to consider when determining if we might be the right fit for one another:

Probably yes, if you:

✔️ enjoy practices of mindfulness and may already have a foundation of practices you enjoy

✔️ find that you are more intellectual, and feel a sense of stuckness with your emotions

✔️ are a second-generation immigrant or person of color who is looking for somebody who just ‘gets’ the cultural nuances of your experiences

✔️ are curious to explore somatic based therapy and don’t know where to start

✔️ are open to collaboration, where you and I will deepen insight and awareness around your patterns and experiences over time

✔️ find yourself curious about holistic wellness and mind-body practices

Possibly not, if you:

✖️ are looking for a quick fix & immediate results

✖️ feel that slowing down and tuning into your body isn’t quite your jam

✖️ are looking for someone to provide you the answers, rather than be a guide in our exploratory work together

✖️ are looking for something more CBT-based in nature

Qualifications & Trainings

  • Bachelor of Science in Family Science (BS)

  • Masters in Clinical Social Work (MSW)

  • Clinically Certified Trauma Professional (CCTP)

  • Traumatic Stress Studies Certificate Program — Trauma Research Foundation

  • Somatic Experiencing, Beginning I — Somatic Experiencing International

  • Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Level 1, SP for the Treatment of Trauma — Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute

  • Internal Family Systems Online Circle — IFS Institute

Get in Touch

Let’s connect! Fill out this brief form and I’ll be in touch within 48 hours.