As the son of a Black man raised in Texas and a Thai woman who immigrated to this country, I was thrust into a unique perspective on what identity means in America. From a young age, I was curious about understanding peoples’ world views and pursued a career where my personal experiences could play a pivotal role in my profession. I earned my Master’s degree in counseling from Boston University and moved to Chicago to start my career in community mental health.
Since then, I have worked in hospitals, university counseling, and private practices. My background has given me extensive experience working with some of the most severe mental illnesses but also with people for whom the source of their sorrow is more unclear.
I work with clients who feel misunderstood or disconnected from the people around them which has most often included people struggling with depression, substance abuse, or first and second generation immigrants.