Hi, I'm Dr. Anna
Here's a little about how I work
Licensed clinical psychologist in Los Alamitos for high-achieving adults and couples — with lived understanding of cultural and family expectations.
I became a therapist because I know what it's like to look like you have it all together and feel completely lost inside. Growing up second-generation Asian American, I learned early how to excel outwardly and disconnect from what I actually needed. I work with people navigating the stuff that's hard to talk about. Family expectations, identity questions, burnout, faith that doesn't fit anymore, relationships that keep hurting the same way. And I do it without telling anyone how they should feel.
I have a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Biola University and practice as a licensed clinical psychologist in California. My office is in Los Alamitos, and I also offer virtual sessions for clients throughout the state. My work is psychodynamic and attachment-based, which means I care about what's underneath the surface, not just the symptoms that show up. I think real change happens when someone actually sees you. Not just listens. Sees you.
When success was never just yours
As a second-generation Asian American psychologist, I know how achievement, duty, and belonging can tangle together. Many of the high-achieving adults I work with are carrying family expectations, immigrant storylines, or the pressure to look fine while feeling unseen. You should not have to spend half of therapy explaining why saying no feels impossible, why rest feels like failure, or why you can love your family and still need something different.
If you are searching for an Asian American therapist — or simply want culturally informed care for identity, family dynamics, and high-functioning stress — you are welcome here. This lens supports the work; it does not replace the deeper focus on becoming more fully yourself.
Psychodynamic & Attachment-Oriented
My approach is psychodynamic and attachment-oriented, which means we'll look at how your past — family, culture, expectations — shapes your present. Together, we'll notice patterns that keep you stuck and untangle old beliefs that no longer serve you.
To move forward, we must first understand what is holding us in place.
What to Expect in Sessions
We'll meet weekly for 50 minutes, starting each session with "what feels important today?" You choose what we focus on, while I help you notice patterns and connections you might miss on your own.
We'll work on practical skills like mindfulness and developing greater emotional vocabulary, but we'll also carefully explore deeper issues that still affect you today. The goal is to help you tolerate difficult feelings so you can understand what you actually need and make choices based on who you really are, not just what others expect.
Together we will help you develop more clarity, self-trust, and confidence in how you move forward.