Exactly where I needed to be

In my third month of medical school, I realized I was in the wrong place. Growing up, I was expected to be a doctor like half of family and it wasn’t until I got there did I realize that this was not the “true to me” way.  I always knew I wanted to help people but, as I needed to find my own authentic and sustainable way.  I did some soul-searching and landed on shifting my talents and life goal to becoming a psychotherapist. This really was the marriage of my strengths — talking to people and getting to know them and their stories — with my destiny to be in a helping profession.  I had to dig deep and work hard and ended up getting into Columbia University of New York for their Social Work program.  Off I went to the Big Apple and was lucky to gain priceless experience and training there.  Since returning to California in 2010, I’ve worked in community mental health clinics, hospitals, schools, a women’s/trans clinic and my own practice.