My name is Mia. I’m an individual and couples/relational therapist (LMFTA #MG61361423) based in Washington state in the Seattle area. In hopes that you feel comfortable to meet and work with me before we start journeying together. It’s essential for me that you know a little about me before we begin. Having been client of therapy myself, I can empathize how awkward and weird it can feel to open up to someone that you don’t know. Asking to share vulnerable parts of yourself and your life can be overwhelming. In an effort to eliminate some of the discomfort of the process, here’s a bit about me:

I was born and spent the first few years of my life in the Kingdom of Hawaii, where my first experiences of being in community with others, neighbors, and extended family members were formed. I had many aunties, uncles, cousins and neighbors around to care for me and play with. That’s where I first learned what community looked like.

I later moved to the Seattle area and rooted myself here. I fell in love with the trees, mountains, and the abundance of water (having an islander background) around me.

My parents immigrated to the United States from the Philippines so I am both part of the Filipino diaspora and mainland American communities. I had the privilege to grow up in a multigenerational home, with much of my extended family surrounding me. It allowed me to grow and challenge in ways that I could not imagine.

There is a saying that one who practices therapy can only bring others as deeply as they’ve gone themselves. I am committed to my own healing journey as well as yours as we partner in collective liberation.

I started my own therapy journey after I experienced a crisis in my life, and have since been with several different therapists over the years for different reasons. I learned that a good fit, and feeling comfortable, with your therapist is important. I learned how to be vulnerable with other people, and most of all, with myself.

I’m inspired by our human experience (with its ups and downs, emotions, and curveballs/nonlinear trajectory) and human connection. I deeply appreciate creativity and self expression. I love it most in the art forms first and foremost through music, theatre, paintings, and written word, like poetry.

While at the University of Washington, I majored in Communication with an emphasis in social interaction. I enjoyed learning about nonverbal, intercultural, and interpersonal communication, which is relevant now in the work that I practice in conjunction with my studies in Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy at Seattle University. My love of connection, and being with people as they navigate life situations and blossom into themselves brought me to my life path as a therapist.

I love this work, and being in connection and relationship with people. The opportunity to be with you as part of your healing journey is sacred. I don’t take my clients opening up to me and trusting me with intimate details of their lives, and relationships, lightly. I am happy to be here with you for however long our paths intertwine.

Thanks for being here for a part of my story; I look forward to being there for yours.