About

During my time as a manager at an art store near Southside Chicago, I encountered numerous people who had never been exposed to art attending our demo days. As I created art with them, I learned how inaccessible art was, and its negative impact on them and their community. The conversation naturally became more intimate, resembling what could be considered art therapy, which inspired me to want to help others through art. As a Korean/Mexican, queer, widow with chronic Bell’s Palsy, I have found therapy to be profoundly impactful, fostering personal empowerment and resilience in my life. Echoing the views of psychologist Alfred Adler, I want to give back to the community. I hope to help others have a positive therapy experience by creating a safe space where they can explore and experiment.

My areas of interest are working with individuals with trauma (intergenerational, transgenerational, racial, medical), grief, identity exploration (race, culture, sexuality, gender), anxiety, stress, depression, and exploration of life after diagnosis of disability or illness. I am particularly interested in working with BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, seniors, adolescence, and neurodivergent individuals.

At times, expressing thoughts and emotions can be challenging. Art can be a powerful, nonverbal alternative. Drawing on my bachelor’s in fine arts and an integrative approach gained from my master’s program, I want to help clients focus on their inner experiences and connect with their minds, bodies, and souls through art. In art therapy, the emphasis is on the process rather than the end result. A background in art is not required to benefit from this therapeutic approach. As your therapist, I will follow your lead and meet you where you are. You know yourself best, and together, we will collaborate to tailor your sessions to align with what you want and need. Whatever your reason for seeking therapy, I will always encourage openness, full self-expression, and focusing on what matters most.