Trauma Informed + Spirit-led Psychotherapy for Asian, Pacific Islander & Filipino adults living in California

I am not currently accepting clients. Please click here to get on my waitlist.

Do you identify as an Asian American, Pacific Islander or Filipino adult living in California?

Are you searching for a space to heal from sexual, emotional or spiritual trauma?

Are you looking for support in setting healthier boundaries, improving your relationships & releasing painful feelings of shame or guilt?

You’ve come to the right place.

 

My name is Lauren Funiestas, LMFT.

I help first and second generation Asian, Pacific Islander and Filipino adults navigating cultural identities at the intersection of their mental health.

My therapy practice honors the ongoing struggle against colonization & U.S. imperialism and how systems of oppression impact the Asian, Pacific Islander and Filipino community. Clients seek out my support to process childhood and life experiences as immigrants or children of immigrants living in the United States.

In session, we will work together to raise your awareness and understanding of unhealthy behavior and thought patterns that you may have learned from your family or social conditioning.

what therapy can help you do:

navigate family relationships

Talking to your loved ones about mental health is hard, especially if you come from a culture that does not have an understanding of or trust in the American mental health system. In therapy, you can learn how to set boundaries with family members, translate the language of modern mental health and have hard conversations with your family about intergenerational trauma issues.


break free from unhealthy romantic relationship patterns

As human beings, we learn how to relate to one another by observation. Many of the unhealthy relationship strategies we learned from our parents can manifest in our adult relationships. In therapy, you can learn how attachment styles impact your ability to relate to your partner, improve communication and avoid repeating cycles of abusive behavior in relationships.


get to know yourself on a spiritual and human level.

Research shows that individuals who know and understand their individual purpose within the collective design have a higher quality of life. Understanding your core values and knowing your “Why?” for doing what you do will help to strengthen your mental health needs. In therapy, a spiritual practice of self reflection can deepen your connection to your Inner being and the world around you.

areas of focus

  • SEXUAL & intergenerational TRAUMA

    Individuals who have experienced sexual trauma can develop symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD. You may experience unhealthy romantic relationships, poor self esteem/body image, substance abuse and increased risk of suicide.

    I CAN HELP YOU:

    *release debilitating emotions such as shame, anger, low self worth and sadness

    *become empowered to self-advocate in every area of your life

    *learn new ways of self-regulating and communicating with others to get your needs met when triggered

    *find powerful meaning in your painful experience so that you’re not stuck in a place of victimhood.

  • IDENTITY CRISIS

    Being multiracial and/or living in the United States as the child of immigrants can be an unsettling experience. Having to navigate the societal norms of your native culture along with the status quo of American life can leave you feeling isolated, confused and without direction.

    I CAN HELP YOU:

    *identify ways in which multicultural experiences functions as a strength

    *uncover intergenerational trauma that has you repeating cycles of suffering

    *reconnect to spiritual and cultural energy that lives within your bloodline

    *feel more in tune with your authentic self

  • OVERWHELM

    Most people don’t know they need help until they experience a crisis that they can’t handle. The day to day structure of American capitalism can lay a heavy load when the stressors of working full-time, managing finances, family needs and health issues start to pile up.

    I CAN HELP YOU:

    *release the stress and heavy emotions

    *get feedback on how you can do things differently to get a different result

    *identify ways you can effectively manage every day stress

    *develop new ways of bringing a sense of calm back into your life

My healing practice

  • HOLISTIC & Multicultural

    My healing practice is founded in Indigenous Filipino Psychology and Western Transpersonal + Integral modalities that value the mind-body-spirit connection.

    I utilize interventions inspired by Depth Psychology (shadow work + inner child healing) + Transpersonal Psychology (spirit + body integration) and a commitment to Social Justice (decolonization).

  • TRAUMA INFORMED

    Healing from trauma looks differently for everyone. While talking about how we have been impacted by horrific experiences can be helpful, trauma survivors often lack basic regulation skills and depth of insight to cope with everyday triggers.

    A trauma informed approach recognizes that establishing safety within the body is key to healing from emotional, physical and spiritual trauma.

  • CANNABIS FRIENDLY

    Cannabis medicine has many benefits for people struggling with depression, anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain. Although cannabis use might not be the best coping strategy for everyone dealing with mental health issues,

    I am a cannabis-friendly practitioner who can work with you on finding a way to integrate cannabis medicine into your healing practice.

YOU ARE THE SOURCE

I am only the mirror, here to reflect back to you what you already know about yourself.

My individual psychotherapy practice is currently full.

Click on the button below to get on the waitlist.