Hello! I’m Victoria Mao, a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate dedicated to empowering individuals to embrace their authentic selves by improving their mental health and emotional well-being.

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My commitment to mental wellness is shaped by my own journey through complex identity and significant life transitions. Growing up as a Chinese American adoptee in a multicultural family, I know firsthand the struggles of navigating cultural identity, anxiety, and societal expectations. My perspective is further deepened by my experience as a young adult stroke survivor, which instilled in me the profound importance of prioritizing rest, healing, and self-compassion—lessons that often run counter to the demands of our modern world.These personal experiences allow me to approach therapy with genuine empathy, accountability, and an acute understanding of complex, nuanced environments.

 

In the therapy room, I work hard towards cultivating a collaborative, empathetic, and accountable environment where you feel actively listened to and appropriately challenged.  As a psychodynamically-trained therapist, we will explore the impact of your past experiences to illuminate your present situations. We will use these insights to guide you into creating actionable steps towards sustained change. I often draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a third-wave cognitive behavioral therapy. ACT helps encourage value-driven action, fostering healthier relationships with yourself and others by focusing on what truly matters to you.

I'm excited to embark on this transformative journey with you!