Getting to Know Me – The Healing Journey

As with most people, my life’s journey is constantly evolving. And I’ve found that many of my interests and passions that come from deep within my heart are wonderfully intertwined.

Psychology

I embarked on my psychological career during my college years at the University of California, Santa Cruz where I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. After a year of working in a lock-down mental health facility, transitional home, outpatient substance abuse clinic and women’s domestic violence and sexual assault agency serving the Hispanic population, I found my way to a clinical psychology program at Alliant International University in San Francisco, formerly known as the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP). I graduated as a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) with an emphasis in both Gender and Multicultural/Community studies. After graduate school, I worked in an intensive outpatient program serving people with chronic mental illnesses such as major depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds.”- Bob Marley

Untitled, 20014. A digital print of a kulintang, an indigenous instrument of the Philippines. — *Untitled*, 2014. A digital print of a *kulintang*, an indigenous instrument of the Philippines.

Culture and Community

At CSPP, I completed an internship at the Asian Community Mental Health Services in Oakland, California and conducted my dissertation study on the psychological and marital experiences of Filipino mail-order brides. I’ve also worked in urban communities in Richmond, California and South Los Angeles. Currently I’ve put down roots at United American Indian Involvement as a clinical psychologist serving the urban American Indian/Alaska Native communities in Los Angeles county. Currently, I am also a professional member of the San Gabriel Valley Psychological Association (SGVPA) chapter of the California Psychological Association (CPA).

Although culture and community is important to me within the field of psychology, it’s been ingrained in me since birth. Outside of my professional role, I’m also a member of GABRIELA, a grassroots organization for Filipino women, and I’m the founder of a creative publication focusing on inspirational and creative members of the Filipino community.

“There is no such thing as a new pattern. We always base it where it started before. Endless thread that was given to all of us. If we stop weaving who will make the clothes?” from Babaylan: Filipinos and the Call of the Indigenous

Untitled, 2014. Digital print of a scenic view I passed while bike riding. — *Untitled*, 2014. Digital print of a scenic view I passed while bike riding.

The Creative Spirit

My right-brain feeds my psychological mind with creativity. I’m inspired by the strength and potential found in every person who seeks my help and I work with them in finding creative ways to address their concerns. Artistically, my interests range from visual art, crafts, film, music, books and writing. Very much related to my interest in culture and community is an interest in the way spirituality plays a role in our lives whether through organized religion or individual pursuits. Professionally, my interests also include energy psychology, ecopsychology, chakra healing, mindfulness, and meditation.

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world and all there ever will be to know and understand.” – Albert Einstein

No matter your spiritual, cultural or creative leanings, my door is open to you!