About Me…

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

I’m a veteran, a Filipino immigrant, and a first-generation college student. After my time in the Navy as a submariner, I started at a community college and eventually transferred to San Diego State University. These experiences are a big part of who I am, and they’ve given me a deep appreciation for the challenges and strengths that come with navigating different cultural identities. This perspective helps me connect with clients who are working through their own unique experiences. I have a small family including my wife and our corgi, Cosmo. For my spare time, I enjoy music, dancing, video games, working out, and traveling.

What inspired you to be a therapist?

I entered grad school with the goal of becoming a college advisor, but my own therapy experiences opened my eyes to the powerful, meaningful impact of this work. My passion for connecting with people inspired me to shift gears, aiming to provide others with the same positive and compassionate growth I experienced. Navigating my own cultural identities also taught me the importance of vulnerability and emotional attunement. These insights continue to shape the way I approach and support my clients.

Have you worked with people with experiences similar to mine?

While I can’t confirm without meeting you, I’ve had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients, including veterans, college students, older adults, and anyone 18 and up. I’ve supported people through challenges like overthinking, past negative experiences that continues to come up, doubtful of decisions, difficulty speaking up, anger, transitioning from military to civilian life, thoughts to not exist, and more. Whatever you’re facing, we’ll work together to find the best path forward.

What is your approach to therapy?

I am client-centered with an integrative approach. I pull from different therapy approaches because I believe everyone’s unique and what works for one person might not work for another. My main influences are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic, and Motivational Interviewing, which gives me a mix of tools to help support you in the way that works best for you. I like to focus on self-compassion because I know that growth is challenging enough on its own. While negative self-talk can sometimes have its place, I help my clients work toward a kinder, more supportive way of learning and growing. Developing self-compassion can make the journey feel a little lighter. My cultural perspective also helps me understand the unique experiences of navigating identity and belonging, which is a core part of how I support clients with diverse backgrounds and identities.

What’s the typical structure of a session and how long does therapy usually last with you?

We’ll start with an intake session to help us both understand your unique challenges and strengths. From there, we will collaborate on creating goals and the length of therapy will depend on what you need, and we can check in on your progress as fit.

How do you handle feedback if a client thinks something isn’t working?

To me, feedback is one of the most important parts of a therapeutic relationship, and I genuinely welcome it. Depending on what my clients share, I prioritize self-reflection and accountability, adjusting our approach to best suit their needs—or even referring out if it feels like a better fit is out there. Finding the right therapist is a bit like dating; it’s all about the right connection. I encourage my clients to explore what feels best for them because I believe the relationship we build is the foundation of effective therapy. Feedback is invaluable because therapy is a collaborative process, and I want my clients to feel empowered to share openly about what resonates with them and what doesn’t.

What are your credentials?

I received both my bachelor's in psychology and master's in counseling from San Diego State University and gained licensure as Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC#17983). I have been practicing for 4+ years.