About

Notice of Privacy Practices

Prior to moving to Oregon and becoming a marriage and family therapist/counselor, I worked for ten years as a lawyer in California, practicing primarily family law. While I was drawn to the critical thinking and analysis of the law, I have long been captivated by human and social development. Ultimately, I found that I thrive in counseling practice that is rooted in compassion and social responsiveness.

I am a child of immigrant Filipino parents and was raised in the Catholic faith. I spent some time growing up in the Philippines, living in Saudi Arabia, and acculturating to the US. Through education and pooling of family resources, I benefit from the privilege of higher education and socioeconomic status. I identify as a cisgendered, heterosexual, non-disabled, Filipina-American, and regard myself as spiritual. I am bicultural and a receptive bilingual in my native language, Tagalog.

These experiences have informed and expanded my worldview. I recognize my positionality in some ways limit my view, and in other ways, it allows me to relate on a deeper level. I understand the impact of social inequities, especially as it relates to class, gender and race. I also understand the complexity of navigating different cultures and the challenges of finding belonging at home or in the workplace while being true to your identities. I can relate to relational trauma as it shows up in emotional disconnection, especially in the demise of significant relationships. I bring these unique understandings to the therapeutic space and it is through these lenses with humility in which I offer support and assistance to my clients.

I see my purpose and passion as being of service to others and to compassionately co-create change that fosters equitable relationships, community, and harmony. As a relational therapist, I serve adult couples/partners, families and individuals. In leaning towards a social justice orientation, I take into consideration the impact of social context (i.e. systems of oppression) in the manner we relate to ourselves, to others and the world around us. I have a special interest in working with interracial or multi-ethnic/cultural relationships. I am grounded in systems theory, being trauma-informed, and attachment theory. I apply Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) in working with couples and families. I have completed additional EFT training through the Portland Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy (PCEFT) EFT Externship and Core Skills. I have further completed Part I and Part II, including the supervised practicum and group consultation requirements, of an EMDRIA-approved training for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

I integrate principles of sensorimotor psychotherapy, IFS, cultural somatics, compassion focused therapy, and neuroscience with clients. I also incorporate mindfulness and self-compassion into my work.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#T2479) and Licensed Professional Counselor (#C7592). I have also been certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors as a National Certified Counselor.

As part of my ongoing learning, I am currently deepening my understanding of working with couples and family systems through a doctorate program and I plan to center my research on supporting interracial/interethnic, multicultural/multiethnic partners in relationship. It is my belief that one path to empowerment is knowledge.

I welcome all identities to my practice. If you would like to connect with me, please email counseling@concinnitytherapy.com or call 503.208.4687.

EDUCATION:

• Antioch University New England (AUNE), Keene, NH

  PhD student in Couple and Family Therapy – Ongoing

• Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling – May 2020

  George Fox University, Portland, OR

• Juris Doctor – May 2006

  New College of California, School of Law, San Francisco, CA

CERTIFICATION

• AAMFT Certificate of Leadership, 2022

• National Certified Counselor (NCC), 2021

• 200 Yoga Teacher Certification, Purusha Yoga School, 2013