Hellen Hsu AMFT

My clients are individuals in transition. They are maturing into the next phase of life, entering into or emerging from partnerships, changing careers, reconciling with their past, or discovering a more authentic self-expression. It is at these moments that one examines and questions what makes us who we are.

I believe that it is a radical act to feel whole and grounded in who we are in the world. Our personal history does not have to determine our future. We can develop resilience and skills to cope with obstacles, rise above the chaos of our upbringing, come to terms with what happened to us, and tune out negativity and the expectations of others. It is possible to choose growth and find meaning in traumatic experiences, reclaim the injured parts of ourselves, awaken our intuition and creativity, and be who we always were meant to be.

I lead with empathy, curiosity, and humor. My clients and I collaborate as we search for the origins of symptoms like depression, anxiety, insomnia, anger, or numbness then make gentle adjustments. We process experiences and emotions as we contemplate the meaning of memory, dreams, symbols, ritual, folklore, and cultural elements. Truly conscious choice and greater agency then become available.

I have a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, which provides a foundation in depth psychology and psychodynamic psychotherapy. My training also includes CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I), EMDR, and Trauma-Informed Stabilization Therapy.