My Journey

I was born in Argentina to a traditional Taiwanese family and grew up in a strict household where the expression of personal feelings and needs was strongly discouraged and often silenced. From a young age, I faced suffocating family pressure to become a model for the community and pursue a career in medicine. Exhausted by constant conflicts to have my voice heard, I eventually gave in to this predestined path, vowing to meet their expectations and become the person they desired.

After completing my early education, I moved to the United States for college and was later accepted into medical school. During my clinical rotations, however, I found my attention naturally drawn more to the emotional world of those around me than to the physical illnesses and laboratory data of patients. Whenever I recognized signs of emotional distress, I would revisit my patients at the end of my busy hospital shifts. In these quiet, after-work moments, they would open up about their individual struggles—whether it was coming to terms with a diagnosis, the turmoil of sharing bad news with loved ones, or even concerns about their pets' well-being during their hospital stay. By providing them with a space to be vulnerable and understood, I often saw them become more at peace with their situation. These conversations would bring me a sense of fulfillment and meaning that I was not able to find in other aspects of my work.

Nevertheless, despite having discovered a deep passion for mental health counseling, it would take another decade before I fully embraced my true calling. During this period, I earned multiple degrees—first an MD, then one in software engineering—and navigated various jobs, including a brief stint in a medical technology company aiming to improve our country’s dysfunctional healthcare system. Although I had successfully met every expectation placed on me and fulfilled every goal and dream, I continued to find myself grappling with worsening anxiety, depression, and profound feelings of emptiness and purposelessness. I had gradually and painfully realized that I had never truly lived for myself.

In my darkest times, I sought help and encountered a wise and compassionate counselor. Along my spiritual journey, my therapist helped me understand the impact of my childhood traumas, accept my own feelings and needs, and grieve the life I had spent living for others. This transformative experience allowed me to change the relationship I had with myself and others, and to finally start living life on my own terms and embrace my calling to become a therapist. Since then, I have had the privilege to offer the same support and guidance to others in their own journeys, helping them discover and embrace their true selves, heal and break free from past wounds, and experience a life that is no longer about surviving but living authentically.

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To you who are reading this,

As you navigate life’s struggles, know that you don't have to do it alone. Just as others have walked alongside me, I am here to walk alongside you. Let’s embark on a journey together toward healing, growth, and wholeness.