Victoria Lai

Hi there. My name is Victoria, and I’m an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, which is a fancy title that means I’m a therapist working towards licensure. I work under the guidance of a supervisor, Dr. Sarah Kwan, and consult regularly to ensure I’m providing the highest-quality care for all of my clients. Sharing your personal life with a therapist can be scary. With my previous work in non-profit community-based settings, I developed the skill of de-stigmatizing and normalizing discussions around intimidating topics like sexual health and social justice to marginalized communities, so my approach is direct, empathetic, and playful, helping you explore at a pace that feels right for you. In addition to my professional experience, I am also someone who has been in the client’s chair at different stages of my life, so I get it. It’s terrifying to be vulnerable. Yet, when it happens, so much beauty and healing can emerge. I invite you to come as open as you can be, and in the moments it feels like too much, I’ll be there to help. Maybe we’ll take a breath, or maybe we’ll talk about a show you’ve been into. We’ll practice what it’s like to give your nervous system a break and show your body what safety feels like (usually very uncomfortable at first, but we’ll work on it together). As a therapist, I find fulfillment in working on identity development, anxiety, depression, relational issues, and childhood trauma. My clients are often of various body sizes, first/second generation-American in their migrant families, the first to go to college, BIPOC, multi-racial, queer if not questioning, and/or the eldest "caretaker" of the family. Wherever you come from and however you identify, my goal is to provide a safe and welcoming space for you to simply be. In my approach, I draw from psychodynamic theory, feminist/multicultural theory, somatics, Internal Family Systems (IFS or parts work), relational, and the here-and-now perspective, while tailoring my methods accordingly to fit your needs. For example, I may engage with you in a somatic exercise to help you reconnect with your body and feel more grounded. With feminist/multicultural theory, I may invite you to explore how your gender and societal expectations play a role in the way you see your self-worth. At the core of my work, I believe what happens in the therapeutic relationship can reflect dynamics in your outside world. My role isn’t to offer advice or tell you what to do. Instead, I’m here to help you explore, understand, and find your own way forward. Through my process-oriented approach, you can expect to gain insight into your inter/intra-personal patterns, develop a stronger sense of self and connection to your emotions, and live a life that feels more fulfilling and authentic to you. Creating the space to make this happen is an incredible gift I’m honored to provide. When you're ready, I’d be honored to support your journey toward lasting growth and self-discovery.