Who Michael supports…

My work centers on supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, cultural and racial/ethnic identities, with a special focus on the Asian-American experience, and professionals, though certainly not limited to these groups. I encourage folks to reach out for therapy who are looking to deepen their understanding of themselves and the world. I have depth of experience supporting individuals living with HIV and those in recovery from substance use. What drives me is a commitment to understanding people: how they see themselves, how they move through the world, and how that's been shaped throughout their life.

My work with LGBTQ+ individuals around mental health concerns tied to gender expression, sexual orientation, cultural identity, and life transitions have been a primary focus in my career. I am a practitioner who pays attention to how race, ethnicity, and intersecting identities shape a person's experience.

What it’s like to work with Michael…

I have a holistic approach to understand a person fully. To work with me is to be present where you are, even just for a moment, without old narratives running the whole show. My style is collaborative, curious, and grounded. Sessions move at a pace that feels right for you, while still creating room for growth. I bring active listening, genuine inquiry, and clinical creativity that makes space for insight in places people don't always expect to find it. Working with me is a place where you can explore without judgment, feel with curiosity, and rebuild from where you are.

Michael’s therapeutic approach and training…

I draw from ACT, CBT, psychodynamic therapy, and harm reduction, not as a formula, but woven together based on what each person needs. ACT builds psychological flexibility; CBT offers concrete tools for shifting unhelpful patterns; psychodynamic work explores how the past lives in the present; and harm reduction keeps everything grounded in meeting people where they are, without judgment.

More about Michael…

I am a registered Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) who brings an intersectional and affirming lens to his work, shaped by my lived experience as a Vietnamese American gay man. In addition to my clinical work, my background also includes specialized training in substance use disorders, with a master’s thesis focused on methamphetamine use disorder. During graduate school, I worked with the San Francisco Department of Public Health on clinical trials exploring emerging treatments for substance use, deepening my understanding of the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of addiction.

On a personal note…

I care for my own wellbeing through many of the same things our sessions will also focus on: curiosity, self-reflection, connection, and rest. I take consultation with trusted peers and supervisors as a requirement for deeper understanding and to gain fresh perspectives. Outside of the practice, music, vocal lessons, as well as attending shows ranging from musicals to jazz to Pop R&B concerts are in my wheelhouse. I look forward to potentially working with you and beginning a journey that can often feel lonely, but does not have to be.