Specialty: Trauma (Religious, Family, Cultural)
I work with: Adult Individuals, Couples/Partners, Teens
My favorite therapy modalities: Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy
Friends call me: Caring, Creative, Accepting
Defense mechanisms: People pleasing, Avoidance
You can experience more fulfillment in your life and relationships! I’m here to support you.
Hi! I’m Abby.
I’m the type of therapist who can’t wait to meet you and help you discover the answers you needed were inside you all along.
My clients tell me, “I feel safe unmasking myself around you.”
I provide trauma therapy for adults:
I help people who have experienced religious trauma to deconstruct, heal, and rebuild their values, beliefs, and identity of self.
You feel angry, conflicted, and ashamed. You might feel angry toward yourself for believing the harmful messages that were instilled in you. You might have a difficult time acknowledging your needs and desires, or you even feel ashamed when you put your needs first–even when it’s something very important. You feel like there’s something wrong with you and that you don’t deserve love, care, or nice things. Religious trauma can bring up many conflicting feelings.
Through therapy, you can feel accepted, safe (in self and in relationships), and loved by your self and others.
I also provide couples therapy:
I help couples who have been disconnected (from each other and themselves) and hurting in silence to find their voices and create a renewed connection of openness, curiosity, and joy.
You’re feeling scared, lonely and frustrated. You might feel like there’s something wrong with you (or your partner)–worried that you’re never going to understand each other. One of you is really good at pushing away negative feelings, and trying to stay away from conflict. The other has gone along with this and now avoids emotional topics–you both feel so alone though. So much goes unspoken and when one of you eventually brings something up, you move as quickly through the conflict as possible and apologize quickly (while you feel bad inside). You want to feel like you can open up to each other and feel connected.
Through therapy, you can feel valued by each other, hopeful about creating a shared life together, and confident that they can share difficult things with each other without judgment or fear. You deserve connection and acceptance!
I also love working with teens:
Teens in the age of social media and rapid technological advancement are faced with unique challenges and stressors, on top of navigating an onslaught of emotions, life changes, and self-discovery.
I work with teens by empowering them to explore who they are and who they want to be, and figure out how to align the two.
On a personal note…
Growing up as a genderqueer, bi-racial Filipino-American in a traditional Catholic household, I learned firsthand how difficult it can be to navigate multiple worlds. I make my own healing and self-care a priority so that I can continue to show up authentically for my clients and everyone around me.
In my free time, I enjoy playing video games, making pottery, crocheting, and adventuring in the outdoors with friends. I love reading, especially queer sci-fi and fantasy!
Formal Credentials
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (#141974) Licensed to practice psychotherapy in California under the supervision of Natalie Delfin LCSW 93664.
Education
B.A. in Psychology from San Diego State University
M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco
Love Heal Grow Residency Trainings
Gottman Method Couples Therapy: Level I, Level 2, Trauma & Infidelity
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy w/ Sue Johnson
Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals w/ Sue Johnson
Sex Therapy: Common Sexual Concerns of Individuals & Couples, LGBTQIA Affirming Therapy, Alternative Sexualities/Non Traditional Relationships
Trauma Therapy
Anti-Racism & Culturally Affirming Care
Help for Individuals
