My Story

Hello and welcome to my page! My story began as a  first-generation born Vietnamese American in awe of how people carry wounds invisible to everyone else. My family came to America the year I was born and my life is shaped by our immigrant story and American acculturation.  I grew up with a love for poetry and bookmaking. Prior to medical school, I volunteered in child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence activism.  I am made up of experiences as a woman, a daughter of immigrants and a cancer survivor. Over time, I found my life’s purpose in child psychiatry. 

After completing my training in adult, child and adolescent psychiatry, I did an additional early childhood fellowship and I am currently working towards certification in play therapy, expressive arts therapy and EMDR. I am also actively involved in educating future child psychiatrists about play therapy so we can preserve our child therapy roots.

I have continued working with marginalized groups like the LGBTQIA , BIPOC and immigrant communities.  I support survivors of child abuse in foster care/adoption agencies and in underserved communities. I have experience with the myriad of psychiatric disorders but my passion continues to be working with survivors of trauma, anxiety, depression, marginalized individuals and those struggling with identity and life’s transitions. I incorporate techniques in art and play therapy with children and teens. I also work with the adults rediscovering their expressive and playful selves.  

I appreciate your trust in me to be a part of you and/or your child’s mental health journey.