Culturally Sensitive Therapy

As a Person of Color, (POC), I understand cultural norms, systemic oppression and masking, and the negative impact each has on our mental health and wellbeing. These things are addressed and NOT ignored in the counseling process, so that you receive the understanding; compassion and respect you deserve. My space is a SAFE place for you to be seen; heard; understood and validated.

Our cultural identities shape our experiences, values, and perspectives, influencing how we view and navigate the world. By acknowledging and integrating these cultural factors into therapy, we can create a more personalized and meaningful therapeutic experience. Culturally Sensitive Therapy involves recognizing the impact of cultural, ethnic, and racial backgrounds on mental health and addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals from diverse communities. It aims to create a safe and

I work with clients in a collaborative relationship to identify goals for therapy and treatment or growth plan. Together, we will identify what will be helpful, to explore how you relate to yourself (your thoughts, feelings, body, identity), the context within which you live, and how the heck to manage the societal structures we have to navigate. As a therapist I aim to practice with cultural humility, and will educate myself on topics important to you.

Culture informs how we view and understand our values and others around us. It's important to integrate that into therapy, as well as for your therapist to respect and understand your perspective.

I keep a close eye on what role the environments you have inhabited may have played on your current views about yourself, others, and the world at large, and I constantly invite you to do the same. It can be very empowering to realize how you came to embrace your beliefs, and with that information, be able to decide which of them you want to keep or reject.

As a multicultural person, providing a space that is not only trauma-informed, but culturally sensitive is vital to me as a mental health professional. I believe therapy not only should be culturally-sensitive, but creative in the ways we reach clients to make therapy accessible, meaningful, and impactful. While providing this space and expertise, I keep in mind I am not an expert on everyone's culture, while building a connective relationship where the full you can show up at your pace.

All of us are conditioned by our surroundings — our families, communities, societies, culture — without exceptions. No matter your creed, gender, colour, etc., we carry experiences from our past, tinted by the world around us. Understanding who we are requires understanding these influences; otherwise, we cannot tease out who we are at our "core," from what we've been taught. Even if there is overlap, there is also a difference! I look forward to sifting through the layers with you.

I am intersectionally oriented and strive to understand each aspect of a client's context and identity and intersectional layers which exist, specifically for marginalized or oppressed communities. To promote holistic healing and to engage in an authentic therapeutic space, we work collaboratively, to identify each unique intersectional experiences as valid and legitimate.

I strive to let my client lead on what it means to be culturally aware in our practice. This includes using language, words, behaviors, and actions that feel important to respect your culture and orientation. I will always ask first before I assume. I believe all facets of ones identity, lifestyle, history, and experience in the world are valuable to understanding ones full potential to thrive and be well. It is important to me that your whole person is validated and seen in our work together.

Identifying as BIPOC, AADPI, and/or Latine is a huge part of your life. We all wear our races on our faces. Understanding how your race, ethnicity, and culture effect your life is an inherent part of my role as your counselor. Together, we can explore what parts of your cultural identity feel like external expectations placed on you (like your parent's influences or stereotypes) and what parts create who you are as an individual. Going through my own cultural journey has taught me a lot!

Diversity is intersectional and culture is so much more than simply race or ethnicity. I take into account the whole person and their experiences, beliefs, and worldview and let them educate me in their culture without making assumptions based on how they present.

We are a diverse group of therapists, social workers, and counselors from various walks of life. Our collective experiences enable us to offer telemental health online therapy services and individualized treatment in a kind and compassionate manner.

Beyond my preparation in social work and counseling, I also have a degree in anthropology which guides me through work with all clients, no matter their background. Much of my daily work is done within a department dedicated to international students. I've also taught master's level courses on social work with diverse clients, and have spoken at Chicago-area universities on the importance of culturally responsive work.

This type of therapy acknowledges and respects the cultural backgrounds and identities of clients, ensuring that treatment is relevant and effective by incorporating cultural perspectives and experiences into the therapeutic process.

I specialize in culturally sensitive therapy because of my unique personal and professional journey. As a bicultural immigrant, spouse in a biracial marriage, and parent to American children, I have firsthand experience navigating the complexities of cultural identity and family dynamics. In addition, my therapy practice focuses on working with first- and second-generation Americans and immigrants, helping them address the challenges of intergenerational expectations and cultural transitions.

I have experience working with people of many cultural backgrounds including Hispanic/Latinx, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+. It is important to me as a therapist to consider your background/identity as well as my own as our culture/identity provides context for our behaviors and understanding of the world.

I have cultivated expertise in culturally sensitive therapy through dedicated training and a deep commitment to understanding diverse cultural backgrounds. I recognize the significant impact that culture has on a person's identity, beliefs, and experiences. By actively listening and incorporating cultural perspectives into my therapeutic practice, I create a safe space for clients to explore their unique challenges.

Social justice and advocacy are core pieces to a therapist's identity. They have to be able to navigate complex cultural issues that transcend race and cultural identity. These issues are often the source of a lot of the issues our clients are struggling, and a therapist must be able to identify the impact of culture and identity on the presenting issue.