Authentic Living Therapy

Authentic Living Therapy I work with adults, teens, couples, and families.

I'm an Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) therapist in California specializing in trauma, abuse, emotional abuse, anxiety, depression, self-harm, parenting, and relationship difficulties.

02/24/2026
https://www.facebook.com/100093965457510/posts/793419677133540/?mibextid=CDWPTG
02/23/2026

https://www.facebook.com/100093965457510/posts/793419677133540/?mibextid=CDWPTG

At Ichikawa City Zoo, the story of little Punch is turning into something even more beautiful.

The tiny macaque who once sat alone, holding tightly to his stuffed orangutan for comfort, is no longer by himself. The same baby who went viral for clinging to a toy after being rejected is now slowly being welcomed by the older monkeys around him.

At first, they only watched him from a distance — curious, cautious, unsure. But day by day, they moved closer. Sitting beside him. Studying him gently. Offering quiet companionship without fear.

For Punch, who once found comfort only in fabric and thread, this change means everything.

He is beginning to experience real warmth — the soft grooming of another monkey, the safety of sitting in a small group, the feeling of belonging. His stuffed toy may still rest in his arms, but now he has something more powerful: connection.

Punch’s journey reminds us that healing takes time. Sometimes it begins in loneliness… but with patience and kindness, it grows into acceptance.

And now, little Punch is no longer just the monkey who went viral.

He is the monkey who is finally finding his place.

02/23/2026
Self-Love Rainbow
02/23/2026

Self-Love Rainbow

Address

950 S. Bascom Avenue, Suite 2005
San Jose, CA
95128

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 8pm
Wednesday 10am - 7pm
Thursday 10am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Authentic Living Therapy posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Authentic Living Therapy:

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Everything about you makes sense and you are not broken

I believe that each person is on a unique journey through life, with every experience combining to influence the vital human being we become, whether these experiences are joyful or unpleasant, or all the possibilities in between. Many times the journey becomes a struggle to avoid the unpleasant experiences, the uncomfortable yet unavoidable parts of life. This can lead to suffering, a dimming of our own personal vibrancy, unworkable patterns in our relationships with ourselves and others, and feeling stuck in life in a way that may appear impossible to move from. I believe that no person is broken, no one needs to be “fixed,” and that everything a person does and feels makes sense given their individual life experiences. I regard a healthy, vibrant, and empowered existence as one in which each human is able to live with radical acceptance for whatever life brings, while continuing to move towards a values-based core of vitality and personal strength. This, in turn, can help reduce and limit pain and suffering. And I believe everyone has that power within them and would be honored to help you discover that for yourself.

Relationships are essential in finding our personal vibrancy. I view my role as one of a collaborative ally through whatever part of your journey you are on, illuminating possibilities and joining you in creativity, compassion, and occasional humor as you head toward the growth you desire, while helping you find the voice you may not know you have. My main ther**eutic approach is a mindfulness-based therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I also have had experience and training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and have co-led DBT groups. I also utilize and have experience with client-centered approaches, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and existential ther**eutic approaches. I have been providing counseling and therapy to individuals, couples, and adolescents since 2009, helping clients with a spectrum of issues, including, but not limited to, trauma, abuse, domestic violence, r**e and sexual trauma, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, suicidality, self-harm, relationship difficulties, and life transition issues. I hold a Masters of Arts degree with emphases on Clinical Psychology and Professional Clinical Counseling from San Jose State University, and Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Psychology and Religious Studies from San Jose State University.