Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

Chapter I

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost... I am hopeless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter II

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in this same place.
But it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

 Chapter III

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it there.
I still fall in... it's a habit... but,
my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

 Chapter IV

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter V

I walk down another street.

- Portia Nelson

I work with a diverse population of people across a broad spectrum of life challenges.  Individuals and Couples.  Some clients who choose to work with me are interested in coaching, perhaps wanting short-term help to achieve a career goal.  Others prefer to work on a deeper level, seeking to improve relationships with people in their lives.  Regardless of what brings you to therapy, I encourage you to work with someone that you can relate to.  Someone who welcomes all parts of you.  Most clients who choose to work with me belong to a demographic that I also belong to: 

• Those seeking deeper connections.

• Successful, career-driven achievers.

• Third Culture Kids (TCK), also known as First Generation Americans. Immigrants.

• People of Color.

• Couples, including multicultural couples.

Those who receive the most benefit in working with me come to therapy with an open mind and a willingness to explore whatever is alive in the present moment.  I encourage you to read more about those who resonate with me here. 

Interested in seeing if we're a good fit for one another?  

Contact me to schedule a session.   415.689.3586  annu.therapist@gmail.com

I was introduced to the world of psychotherapy first as a client.  

I spent much of my childhood trying to fit in.  Being a brown girl in a small North Carolina town was a challenge, to say the least.  My parents were immigrants, and, like many Third Culture Kids (TCK), I found myself bridging across cultures more often than I wanted to.  The messages of what "good" looks like that were delivered to me from media...schools...my classmates... didn't quite align with the values I was understanding from my family's culture.  Feeling confused and stretched thin, I focused my attention on my studies.  Good grades, good college, good job.  I did it!

I excelled in my professional life and climbed the corporate ladder.  And I climbed and climbed.  Ambitious in my career and ever eager to gain life experience, I moved to London in pursuit of new challenges.  I was a mover and a shaker, and in some ways, I relished the adrenaline rush of the fast-paced jet-setting environment I was in.  On the surface I was happy - I had an exciting job, a beautiful home, an active social life.  Still, I didn't feel OK.  I had this uncomfortable feeling deep inside that I couldn't shake; my emotions were tugging at my business suits, vying for my attention.  On the inside, I was struggling.  A friend shared with me her therapeutic journey, and upon her urging, I decided to take the courageous step to see a therapist.  I remember that first meeting vividly.  The work I did with my therapist was impactful.  So impactful that eventually I decided to leave my corporate lifestyle behind and pursue an entirely new career as a psychotherapist. 

EDUCATION

California Institute of Integral Studies:  Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology

Duke University:  Master of Engineering Management (interdisciplinary degree combining coursework from the Fuqua School of Business, Duke's Law School and Duke's Pratt School of Engineering).

Duke University:  Bachelor of Science in BioMedical Engineering & Electrical Engineering

Interested in getting a taste of how I work?  

Contact me to schedule a session.  415.689.3586  annu.therapist@gmail.com

I bring depth and breadth of experience from learnings as both clinician and client.   The relationship between therapist and client is the most important aspect of therapy.  I will strive to cultivate a relationship with you that is meaningful, respectful, honest and direct, yet gentle.  My hope is that all parts of you feel welcomed with me and that we build safety in our therapeutic relationship together.

How we work together is largely determined by you.  I will honor the pace that you set, and I will respect the boundaries that you uphold.  I also will encourage you to bring forward your awareness and insights.  I prefer to work experientially in the therapy room, using body-oriented mindfulness-based approaches.  This means that, together, we may engage in exercises that are tailor made for you, to address your challenges, your needs, your wants.  I will work with you to develop tools specifically designed for you to help you navigate your life challenges - be they in a professional setting, in relationships with a partner, friends, family, or elsewhere in your life.  

My preference is to focus our time on whatever is alive for you when we meet.  To explore the present moment.  The experiences of the past (there-and-then) do inform how we show up today (here-and-now), so at times we may wish to have a peek into who and what has shaped us into the beings we are now.  By reflecting on the then and focusing our awareness on the present moment, you can bring forward your own agency.  My goal is to work with you to help you contact your power.  To help you learn to read your internal maps.  To help you make the changes you wish to make in your life.  

Contact me to schedule a session.   415.689.3586  annu.therapist@gmail.com

My San Francisco therapy office is centrally located on Market Street, easily accessible by BART and multiple MUNI lines.  

Would you like to schedule a consultation session?  Leave your details below. 

Or contact me at:   415.689.3586     annu.therapist@gmail.com

1231 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103