Questions most people have before they reach out

What is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)?

EFT is the most extensively researched couples and individual therapy approach in the world. Rather than focusing on communication skills or behavioral techniques, EFT works at the level of attachment — identifying the deep emotional patterns and unspoken fears that drive conflict and disconnection, and helping partners build a more secure, lasting bond. Studies show a 70–75% recovery rate for distressed couples, with results that hold over time. I am certified in EFT for couples (EFCT), individuals (EFIT), and families (EFFT) by ICEEFT.

How is EFT different from other couples therapy approaches?

Most couples therapy focuses on communication strategies, conflict resolution skills, or behavioral change. These can be useful but rarely address the deeper emotional patterns driving the problem. EFT goes beneath the surface — to the underlying fears, attachment injuries, and unmet needs that keep couples stuck in the same cycles regardless of the topic. When those deeper layers shift, the surface behaviors change naturally and durably.

Do you work with individuals as well as couples?

Yes. I work with individuals using Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), which brings the same attachment-based depth to personal healing — addressing trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, shame, and relational patterns. I also integrate Brainspotting, parts work, and family of origin approaches depending on what each person needs.

Do you work with LGBTQ+ couples and individuals?

Yes — and with genuine depth of experience, not just an affirming stance. I have worked extensively with lesbian couples, queer couples, and LGBTQ+ individuals, and this is a community I am genuinely proud to serve well.

What lesbian couples often tell me they are looking for is a therapist who doesn't need everything explained — someone who understands the particular relational dynamics, the impact of minority stress on attachment, the way that years of navigating a world not designed for you can quietly shape how safe you feel being vulnerable, even with each other. I understand these dynamics not as a checkbox, but as a real dimension of the clinical work.

EFT is particularly well-suited to same-sex couples. The attachment framework cuts through the noise of what the fight is "about" and gets to what is actually happening — the fears of disconnection, the unspoken needs, the ways each partner has learned to protect themselves. Those underlying dynamics are universal, and EFT reaches them regardless of relationship structure.

I work with couples and individuals of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and relationship structures. You will not need to educate me, defend your relationship, or wonder whether your identity is welcome here. It is.

Do you work with multicultural or intercultural couples?

Yes — this is an area of particular strength. I bring lived multicultural experience, having worked and lived across multiple cultural contexts in Asia, Australia, and the United States. I understand the invisible relational friction that can arise from different cultural scripts around love, family, communication, and belonging — and I hold that complexity with genuine curiosity rather than a one-size-fits-all lens.

Are sessions in person or online?

All sessions are currently conducted online via a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. I am licensed to see clients throughout the state of Tennessee and in Malaysia. Online therapy allows couples and individuals to attend from anywhere — from the privacy and comfort of your own space, without a commute.

How long are sessions and how often do we meet?

Sessions are available in two lengths — 60 minutes ($225) and 90 minutes ($315). For couples doing EFT work, I generally recommend 90-minute sessions — they allow enough time to go deep, complete a therapeutic move, and land somewhere meaningful before the session ends. Most clients meet weekly or bi-weekly, especially in the early stages. Frequency can be adjusted as the work progresses.

How many sessions will I need?

This varies depending on what you bring and what your goals are. Most couples begin to notice meaningful shifts within 8–12 sessions. Deeper relational work, trauma processing, or long-standing patterns may take longer. I discuss your goals at the outset and we review progress regularly — you are never in an open-ended process without clarity about where we are and where we're heading.

What is the difference between a 60 and 90-minute session?

A 60-minute session is sufficient for many individual therapy conversations and for ongoing couples work once the therapy is well established. A 90-minute session provides significantly more room — particularly important for couples, where the early part of the session often involves settling in, accessing what is underneath the surface, and then doing the actual EFT work. Ending a session before something important has been completed can feel disruptive. For most couples, especially early in therapy, 90 minutes is the format I recommend.

What happens in a first session?

The first session is a chance for me to understand what has brought you in, hear your story, and begin to get a sense of the patterns at play. For couples, I typically see both partners together first and may schedule a brief individual session with each partner in the early stages — so each person has space to speak candidly. There is no pressure to disclose more than you are comfortable with. The first few sessions are about building trust and establishing a shared sense of direction.

What do sessions cost?

Sessions are $225 for 60 minutes and $315 for 90 minutes — the same rate for individuals and couples. Intensive half-day, full-day, and two-day formats are available at a different rate, discussed during the complimentary consultation. There is no fee difference between couples and individual sessions.

Do you accept insurance?

I am a private pay practice and do not bill insurance directly. However, I provide a superbill upon request — a detailed receipt you can submit to your insurance provider for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Many clients with PPO plans receive partial reimbursement this way. I recommend calling your insurance provider to ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits before we begin.

What payment methods do you accept?

I accept American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, HSA/FSA cards, and Venmo. Payment is due at the time of each session.

Is a sliding scale available?

A limited sliding scale is available for those who may not be able to afford the standard rate. If you are interested, please inquire confidentially during the consultation and we can discuss whether this is a fit. I also participate in the Lotus Therapy Fund as an approved provider, which offers subsidized therapy for the AAPI community.

What is a therapy intensive?

An intensive is a concentrated therapy experience — half a day, a full day, or two consecutive days — rather than the standard weekly session format. Intensives allow for a depth of work that is difficult to achieve in 60 or 90-minute increments. They are particularly well-suited to couples in significant distress, high-achieving professionals with demanding schedules, or anyone who wants to do serious work quickly. A suitability assessment is required before booking.

What is a Hold Me Tight retreat?

Hold Me Tight is a structured group retreat program developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, the founder of EFT. Over two days, couples move through a series of guided EFT-based conversations — in a group setting with other couples — that create real breakthroughs in emotional connection and understanding. It is not group therapy; it is an educational and experiential program grounded in the science of love and attachment. I facilitate these retreats in Tennessee, Malaysia, and internationally. See the Hold Me Tight Retreats page for upcoming dates.

Is an intensive right for us?

Intensives are not suitable for everyone. They work best when both partners are motivated and emotionally stable enough to sustain several hours of deep work. They are not recommended in situations involving active safety concerns or very acute crisis. The best way to determine fit is through the complimentary consultation — I will give you an honest assessment of whether an intensive or weekly therapy is the better starting point for your situation.

How do I get started?

The first step is a complimentary 20-minute consultation. You share what is bringing you in, ask any questions you have, and we get a sense of whether we are a good fit — with no pressure and no commitment. To schedule, send me a message via the contact page and I will respond within one business day.

What if I'm not sure therapy is right for me?

That is exactly what the complimentary consultation is for. Many people come to that conversation unsure — and leave with clarity, whether or not we end up working together. There is no obligation. I would rather you make a well-informed decision than feel pressured into starting therapy before you are ready.

My partner is reluctant. Can therapy still work?

Reluctance is very common — especially among high-achieving individuals who are accustomed to solving problems themselves. EFT has been shown to work even when one or both partners are skeptical at the outset. I would also suggest considering Discernment Counseling if your partner is uncertain about whether they want to work on the relationship at all — it is a specific format designed for exactly that situation, without pressure in either direction.

Is everything I share confidential?

Yes. Everything shared in therapy is strictly confidential. There are very limited legal exceptions — imminent risk of harm to yourself or others, and certain mandatory reporting situations — which I explain clearly at the outset. Outside of those, nothing you share leaves the session. Discretion is not optional — it is foundational to this work.