Services

You'll get a good feel from our free 15-minute consultation! You'll get to chat with me and feel out my personality with no strings attached, no money involved and no commitment expected. Come as you are, and so will I, and you will likely get a good sense about our compatibility!

At this time, everything is virtual (video and/or phone), which is great because you get to eliminate travel time, avoid traffic and gas costs, meet with me from the comfort of your home or on a break at work, avoid taking time off work/school just for one appointment, and deal with less time constraints and scheduling hassle.

Sometimes, this looks like a 15-minute phone call in a parking lot during a quick lunch break, a 45-minute phone therapy session at a nice local park or on the treadmill at the gym, or a 60-minute video conference from the comfort of your bedroom. Virtual meetings allow us to prioritize your convenience and maximize your time.

When we heal our inner world, we don't just survive life's storms; we learn to dance in the rain, rebuild bridges with stronger bonds, and ignite a radiant version of ourselves. We're not just talking about self-improvement — this is transformation.

Relying solely on friends and family can feel like asking a friend to pull out your aching tooth; they may be helpful, but only to a limited extent because they lack the expertise, tools, and often, the proper mental & emotional energy. Wouldn’t that be more difficult for both of you?

A professional, on the other hand, can carry the weight in these situations and accurately assess, diagnose, and treat your problems with specialized tools, skills and experience. A professional can guarantee a neutral and confidential space for you to safely explore your most honest thoughts and feelings without risking judgement from friends and family.

Holistic. I blend parts of ancient Eastern wisdom (music, meditation, yoga, qi gong, tai chi, principles of acceptance, contentment, looking within, flowing with life, and more) with modern Western science (lab testing, prescription medicines, behavioral tools, psychotherapy, exercise, and more).

I consider our whole being, not just one specific problem, because our mental problems often stem from multiple places. I focus on upgrading our daily lives through better habits, choices, thought patterns, nutrition, physical activity, social connection, relaxation, and mindset.

When our daily lifestyle and mindset is in harmonious balance, then our bodies and minds will have the right balance of feel-good chemicals and hormones, leaving us feeling grounded and empowered.

Problems in the mind are just as important as problems in the body. Think of those with severe physical disabilities (paraplegics, amputees) but leading a happy and vibrant life. Think of those with perfect physical health but always carrying a negative and bitter attitude. Think of those who are desperate to lose weight but unable to convince themselves to make the right changes.

How we experience life is based on our perspective, and that stems from our minds. Our daily decisions also stem from our minds. So, I like to encourage people to see mental health care as an investment in ourselves because our minds determine the quality of our lives. Just like how other things in life come at a cost, so does our mental health.

How much are we willing to invest in our brain health? Do we believe our wellness is worth every penny? When we see our mental health in this way, it often becomes an easier decision to get connected with good mental healthcare.

We don't have to be struggling to get mental healthcare, just like how we don't need to have cavities and bad breath before seeing the dentist. Things don’t need to be bad. Anyone can invest in their mental health at anytime. Therapy can move us not just from “bad” to “ok,” but also from “good” to “great.” Just like how a professional athlete gets even better with a good coach, an already happy person can get even better life satisfaction with good professional guidance.

However, if most things in life have become really difficult for you (e.g., everything feels like a chore, there’s little to no joy anymore, it takes a lot of energy to fight against your mind), then it’s a sign to get help as soon as possible.

If you generally feel fine and are functioning well in most areas of your life, then probably not. It all depends on where you are, and my job is to help you organize all these moving parts and share my knowledge so you can make the most informed decision about taking medications.

There is no one-size-fits-all medication when it comes to mental health. For example, if we find that you have an underlying medical issue (e.g., thyroid problems) that is causing mental problems, then medications are recommended. If your physical health is fine but you’re having serious issues with sleeping, then maybe. If your mental state won’t allow you to care for yourself (e.g., sleep, eat, shower), then most likely.

I will do a comprehensive mental and physical health assessment (all virtual, no need to meet in person), order lab tests, review your results, monitor your progress closely, and make any adjustments as necessary to determine the right medication for you. Most importantly, I will always select medications based on your preferences and reserve ample time in our sessions to answer your questions, including medication effects, side effects, long-term considerations, short-term expectations, and more.

For some, a short course (weeks to months) of medication may be enough of a boost to get out of the funk. Or an as-needed medication for, let’s say, exam-taking anxiety. For others, medication helps so much that they decide to stay on it for longer. It depends on your brain’s needs, and I will help you find the best fit for your unique situation and preferences.

Imagine your mind is a growing plant. Ideally, the plant is growing in ideal conditions (i.e. sunlight, water, temperature). Now, if the plant is struggling a little bit and the conditions aren’t ideal, then improving the conditions may just be enough (e.g. a little more water).

But if the plant is struggling a lot even in the best conditions, you might want to add some fertilizer for extra support. Medication for the brain would be like a fertilizer for a plant: sometimes necessary but not always, sometimes helpful but not sufficient on its own.

Medications might not be a permanent solution for you, but they can be a helpful booster. Or, they can be continued as a long-term “fertilizer,” depending on your brain’s needs. Just like how every garden is different, every brain is different. I will help you to determine your unique needs for your unique brain.

I do not take insurance at this time to protect your privacy and the quality of care that you deserve.

The insurance model isn't designed for the highest quality mental health care. Our doctor-patient relationship is sacred - I work for you and only you, not the insurance company.

When insurance is involved, they dictate the type of care you receive, and that usually looks like this: wait 3-6 months to even find a doctor who specializes in brain health, see them for a 30 minutes to cram in your entire life story, they are half-listening and typing up their notes while you are still talking, they cut you off and rush you out because insurance only pays for limited time. Then, you get sent off with some prescriptions without really knowing what you signed up for because there wasn’t enough time to ask questions, and then you only get to follow up with the doctor a few times a year for only 10-15 minutes each time, so they barely know who you really are.

If privacy is important to you, read this: when insurance is involved, they have access to your private records and dictate your care based on their financial preferences, not your mental well being. Third party payors like this allot only a few minutes minutes per visit, which, you and I both know, is not enough.

You. Deserve. Better.

When working with me directly, every single penny you pay for translates to serving you, and only you.

If you are a college or graduate student, I offer big discounts, so be sure to ask during our 15 minute free chat! Many clients like to buy sessions in bulk for a discount (e.g. pay for 8 hours upfront).

We can even spread out our appointments, or have shorter but very efficient sessions to reduce your cost. Oftentimes, parents and family members are willing to pitch in, so be sure to ask for support if you feel inclined to.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who holds an MD* or DO* degree and specializes in the brain, including how you see the world, your emotions, and your behaviors. They have 8 years of intensive education and training on the entire body’s health and specialize in medicines to treat the brain and the body.

A therapist, on the other hand, is a mental health professional who usually holds a specialized degree (LMFT* , LCSW* , PsyD* ), but they do not have expertise in medicines and cannot prescribe. Therapists have years of higher education and training to lead meaningful conversations to help you improve your life.

I am both a psychiatrist and therapist. I hold an MD degree and have years of direct training and experience as a therapist.

Yes, but this is subject to change at any time based on the DEA's rules. As of 2025, the DEA allows telemedicine prescriptions for Schedule II-V medications without an initial in-person visit.

I will use my professional discretion to determine if you will benefit from a controlled substance or not. If so, we'll meet at least once a month to ensure safety.

California and South Carolina, and open to expanding to more states. We can discuss these details in our free 15-minute consultation.

No, I do not perform disability assessments or provide disability application services. I can, however, perform comprehensive mental health assessments and provide you with a copy upon request.

It’s up to you. Some come weekly for a season to solve a specific problem, and some come monthly for years to enhance life. Some will come frequently at first, take a break, and then come back for more later. Generally, once you’re feeling much better, I recommend following up every 6-12 weeks. You get to decide, and if you’re not sure where you’re at, the first step is to just start and we can figure it out together.

This depends on what we're working on, and ranges from weekly to once every 3 months.

Just like how a car never stops requiring regular maintenance, mental health works the same way. Maybe your car needs more work right now, so you take it to the mechanic every 2-4 weeks at first. Once your car is in better shape, then you take it in every few months for regular check-up.

Mental health works the same way: we never stop working on it. The only thing that changes is how much work you want to put into it, whether it’s for repair, maintenance, or enhancement. It’s up to you, and I can help you determine this based on where you’re at.