Asian American Therapists in Los Angeles,California
Meet Paula Ong!
Hello, I am grateful you found me here!
My name is Paula Ong. I use the pronouns she/her/siya/they. I am a bilingual Tagalog/Filipino speaking associate marriage and family therapist (AMFT #12818) in the state of California, and I am supervised by Jenny Moon, LCSW #77266. As an Asian American therapist, I understand the significance of culture and identities which impact our mental health. I’m passionate about helping clients make sense and honor their experiences, identities, and values.
As a therapist, I strive to create a warm, nurturing, and empowering space to gain awareness, understanding, and self compassion. Sometimes your thoughts and emotions can feel “too much” that you just want them to stop and turn off. Together, we can explore how your upbringing and life experiences can impact your beliefs and sense of self. In therapy, you can learn different ways of taking care and showing up for you and your relationships. We can discover skills to help you cope and unlearn practices that no longer serve you. Our work will be collaborative, catered to your needs and in alignment with your unique goals. I often integrate different approaches to therapy including somatic (mind-body related), attachment based, solution focused, CBT, self-compassion, mindfulness, and creative arts practices in therapy when appropriate.
I welcome working with clients from diverse backgrounds and identities. I am committed to providing culturally responsive and affirming care for POC clients. I specialize in working with teens and adults navigating issues such as:
Asian American experience and identity
Anxiety management (general anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, perfectionism)
Depression management
Trauma (generational/family trauma, adverse childhood experiences, relational trauma)
Emotional regulation (expressing emotions, feeling overwhelmed from emotions)
Racial/Ethnic identity (navigating cultural/familial values, immigration, ethnic identity development)
Relationship issues (learning healthy communication, attachment wounds, boundaries, connection)
Self esteem, self criticism, self doubt, “impostor syndrome,” and internalized oppression
Work and life burn out, stress management,
Grief and loss
Life transitions and adjustment to new environment/circumstances
I completed my M.S. in counseling from CSU Fullerton and I have provided psychotherapy in school, community mental health, and private practice settings. I am experienced in working with children, teens, and adults with various mental health issues. I am also a researcher and have presented about Asian American and specifically Filipinx/a/o American mental health in multiple conferences and panels. I am committed to learning and practicing as a culturally responsive, LGBTQIA+ affirming, neurodiversity affirming, and decolonizing therapist.
Outside of the therapist office, I am a sister, a daughter, a partner, a friend, a creative, and a foodie among many other things. I enjoy crafting/creative hobbies, drinking tea, going to the beach, binge watching the latest Netflix series, exercising, and discovering new music.
I’m glad you’re taking this step towards healing. It would be an honor to know you and work together! Please feel free to reach out for a consultation.
Session Rate:
$175 individual per 50 minute session