about me
hi there, i’m fonda
i became a therapist because i know what it’s like to hold many stories – your own and the ones that shaped you – and to wonder where you fit among them. my work centers people who’ve learned to adapt, even when it comes at a cost.
therapy is a space to slow down and unpack the past and present to make way for a better future. it’s a place to explore the experiences that have shaped you, uncover the strengths that have carried you this far, and from there, begin to make choices that feel more intentional and aligned with who you want to be.
my background
as a second-gen asian american, i grew up listening to my dad’s stories of escaping vietnam, surviving in a refugee camp, and supporting a family of fifteen in the u.s., as well as my mom’s experiences immigrating from china. when i pursued my m.a. in clinical mental health counseling at northwestern university, i wanted to support people with experiences like mine and my family’s – bipoc, immigrants, refugees, and survivors, looking for a therapist who understands the complexities of living between cultures and the quiet, yet heavy, challenges that immigrant families often face.
before becoming a therapist, i worked in marketing and project management. i enjoyed the creative side of that work, but something always felt off. i was helping brands craft their stories while increasingly feeling disconnected from my own. eventually, i realized i wanted work that felt meaningful for me: work that prioritized depth, authenticity, and human connection. this led me to make the shift to psychotherapy, and i haven’t looked back since.
how i approach therapy
therapy with me is collaborative, warm, and real. we’ll take a thoughtful, honest look at the patterns in your life – where they come from, how they’ve helped you survive, and what might be keeping you stuck.
my approach blends a few different frameworks:
- psychodynamic therapy helps you understand how your early relationships and attachment experiences shape the way you relate to yourself and others today. it explores unconscious patterns – the thoughts, feelings, and impulses that influence your choices without you even realizing it. by bringing these patterns into awareness, you can start responding in ways that feel more intentional and freeing.
- cognitive-behavioral therapy (cbt) helps you notice the thoughts, behaviors, and patterns that might be keeping you stuck. it explores what may be fueling certain emotions and offers practical tools such as shifting unhelpful thinking, experimenting with new ways of responding, and regulating emotions so you can feel more balanced and in control.
- somatic work helps you reconnect with your body’s wisdom. stress and trauma aren’t just in the mind, they live in the body too. by bringing more awareness to your body’s signs, you can regulate your nervous system and build a sense of grounding and safety.
therapy doesn’t have to be stiff or formal. we can be as creative as we want. we might process while incorporating movement or art. or we might talk about that one kdrama that emotionally wrecked us (i have a list). therapy looks different for everyone, and we’ll figure out what works best for you.
who i work with
i primarily work with bipoc clients, immigrants, refugees, survivors, and anyone who’s ever felt like therapy wasn’t built for them. i want you to know: it can be. we’ll navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and more through a lens that honors both personal and cultural context.
availability
i offer virtual therapy on weekdays from 3-7pm and on sunday from 9am-1pm. if you’re looking for a therapist to walk with you through the complexities of your experience, i invite you to reach out.
when I’m not in therapist mode, you can find me weightlifting, hosting themed dinner parties, or working through all the a24 movies.
START YOUR JOURNEY
get in touch
ready to start or have a few questions? i’d love to hear from you. fill out the form below, and i’ll get back to you within 2-3 business days.
if you’d like to schedule a free 15 minute consult call to see if we’re a good fit, please provide some days/times you’re available.
collab
healing happens in community – if you want to partner on building spaces or programs that center bipoc, immigrant/refugee, and survivor communities, let’s explore how we can work together.