Welcome
Healing with Chi-Chi
Holistic psychotherapy for mental health, mental wellness, and personal growth.
About Healing with Chi-Chi
EXPERTISE
I've been working in the fields of public health, coaching, and psychotherapy for more than 13 years. I was invited to the White House under the Obama Administration for the work I've done working with individuals, couples, and families.
My specialties are:
- Individual therapy (adults and teenagers)
- Group therapy
- Family Therapy
- Couples Therapy
- Emotional Regulation (anger management, understanding emotions/feelings, how emotions influence behavior, etc.)
- Trauma Informed Care (visible and invisible trauma)
- Mental Health Disorders (depression, anxiety, personality disorders, PTSD, etc.)
- Race-Based Trauma
- Eating Disorders (anorexia, bulimia, obesity from over eating etc.)
- Shadow Work
- Mental Well-being
- Mental Health and Substance Use Assessments – usually requested by judges, lawyers, and probation officers in lieu of sentencing
MY FOCUS
Emotions Expert - I specialize in helping people understand their emotions, emotional regulation, and feeling emotions. Many people are not aware of the many emotions we experience. Understanding emotions helps us understand our behaviors and ourselves. I specialize in anger management, self-esteem, and emotional based personality disorders.
Trauma - I am also specialized in trauma informed care. Whether it’s a BIG trauma or a small trauma, trauma can make us feel stuck! I help my clients identify and understand the traumas they have experienced in their life and address them. Unresolved trauma can lead to mental health disorders and distress. I support my clients in addressing trauma in two ways – mentally and physically (the body keeps the score). I use a somatic (body) and mind approach. Trained as a yoga instructor, I use yoga therapy to tone the nervous system to support the healing of trauma.
Mental Health, Substance Use, and Addiction - I work with clients with addiction and substance use. I use elements of developmental psychology to help clients understand addiction. I also write mental health and substance use assessments for lawyers, judges, and probation officers to help them comprehensively understand the clients they work with in the judicial system. These mental health and substance use assessments also serve as therapeutic recommendations in lieu of sentencing.
Race-Based Trauma - I support my clients in healing from race-based trauma. I help my clients identify and address internalized racism and help them develop self-identity and confidence. I guide my clients through self-awareness and societal awareness. Any form of trauma can affect interpersonal relationships, income, and mental health/well-being. Unhealed race-based trauma can affect these areas and more.
APPROACH
I am a gentle yet thorough therapist. My approach is client-centered, collaborative, and evidence-based. I prioritize building a trusting and safe therapeutic relationship.
EDUCATION
I have a master's degree in Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse (#1 psychotherapy program in the nation) from University of Michigan (LLMSW) and a master's degree in social epidemiology from University of Michigan (MPH). I have a bachelors of science in kinesiology from Michigan State University and I am a certified yoga instructor. I have completed additional training in trauma-informed care.
Working with Jason Wilson, author of book, Cry Like a Man
Team Us: Co-parenting, Reconciliation, and Family Resilience Conference
I developed a maternal child health program called Healthy Fathers Healthy Infants Initiative with the National Healthy Start Association, Healthy Start Detroit. The mission of the initiative is to strengthen the maternal child health dialogue through fatherhood.
I planned a fatherhood conference called, Team Us: Coparenting, Reconciliation, and Family Resilience to support new, young parents as they start the new chapter of motherhood and fatherhood. One of my guest speakers was Jason Wilson. Jason spoke about father wounds, healthy co-parenting, and family resilience. We gave away 30 of his books, Cry Like a Man, to our conference attendees.
