Paula "Apple" Ong, AMFT (#12818)
Hello! I am grateful you found me here. Thank you for taking the time to read around to learn more about me and how I work as a therapist.
ABOUT ME
Pronouns: She/Her/Siyá/They
I am a 1.5 generation Filipino-/American. I was born in Manila, Philippines and immigrated to the U.S. with my family during my early teens. I have ancestry from the Philippines province of Isabella. I am currently living in Anaheim, California located on the ancestral homelands of the Tongva and Acjachemen nations people.
I am a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) providing tele-health therapy for clients in California. I completed my Master of Science in counseling from California State University Fullerton, and I am currently supervised by Jenny Moon, LCSW (#77266). 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 Filipinx/a/o American mental health in multiple conferences and panels.
I am a big fan of sunsets, the beach, the sky, fluffy clouds, spring flowers, and birds singing. I enjoy creating, exploring new hobbies, and discovering music. I also love tea (hot, iced, and milk teas!), thriller movies and shows, and chocolate. I'm looking forward to meeting and connecting with you!
MY APPROACH TO THERAPY
I work from a person centered approach to therapy- centering your goals and needs while pulling from different modalities as appropriate. I often integrate somatic (mind-body related), self-compassion, mindfulness, and creative arts practices in therapy. I am committed to providing culturally compassionate and affirming therapy. I aim to decolonize my therapy practice and welcome non-Western approaches to healing.
I am passionate about working with Asian American and POC clients who struggle with anxiety and depression (self esteem and confidence, negative thinking, relational issues, isolation, and identity), especially as they relate to experiences of relational wounds, intergenerational trauma, and/or adverse childhood experiences. In our work together we can develop self nurturing and compassion, honor your strength, voice, values, and identities, and learn ways to improve your relationship with yourself and others. We do this by creating a safe and collaborative therapeutic relationship; gaining insight and understanding of learned behaviors and messages about self; Attuning to somatic and internal experiences to increase self awareness; Engaging and practicing new skills, while unlearning what is no longer helpful.
If you would like to learn more about services I provide, please click the button below.
Finding a good fit with your therapist is so important. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to get to know each other a little bit, answer questions you might have about working with me, and see if we are a good fit.