My Approach

Overview

"Trauma is perhaps the most avoided, ignored, belittled, denied, misunderstood, untreated cause of human suffering."

~ Peter Levine

Having worked with the clients for over more than a decade, I’ve witnessed how trauma can debilitate the mind and body. Trauma etches itself within the tiniest crevices of the body, and even when the traumatic event has passed, their bodies instinctively continue to look for the source of danger. Consequently, this would trigger the fight or flight response but as there is no sense of danger detected, the body would unconsciously maintain a frozen state paralyzed by fear.

Establishing safety and building trust in the initial sessions are essential foundations for the therapeutic process. Throughout therapy, we will focus on themes such as offering guidance, sharing insights, and exploring thoughts and emotions. However, the focus of treatment is not to immediately offer solutions or heavily concentrate on "solving the problem." Instead, it is about accepting and understanding the various emotional states that arise, allowing the body to naturally process and release these emotions.

I also place significant emphasis on observing clients’ physiological responses and fostering curiosity about the underlying causes of their challenges. By helping clients gain an understanding of the purpose of their behaviors and emotions, they can begin to move forward in a meaningful way.

My role in therapy is to guide clients in accessing their inner resources while supporting them as they experience shifts in both their physiological and psychological responses toward healing.

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Cultural Competency

In my practice, cultural competency is essential. Born in Indonesia and moving to the U.S. at age 19, I understand the challenges of adjusting to different social constructs, beliefs, and values. With experience working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, religious beliefs, ages, and genders, I recognize the importance of exploring these influences throughout our sessions. Mainstream cultural values often intersect with subcultural and family beliefs, shaping how clients perceive themselves, others, and the world around them.

My therapeutic approach includes adapting interventions to address these cultural dynamics, often by reinterpreting cultural metaphors and aligning therapeutic techniques to the client’s worldview. The goal is to create a safe, structured environment that fosters engagement and encourages clients to embrace culturally adapted treatment. Cultural competence is an ongoing, developmental process that evolves with experience and reflection.

Modalities

Somatic Experiencing
EMDR
Trauma Focus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Sand Tray Therapy
Art Modality
Attachment-Focused Approach
Relational Bodywork and Somatic Education (BASE)

Treatment Format

Individual Session
Group Session
In-person Session
Telehealth Session