About Me
The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change ~ Carl Rogers
I was born and raised in the south of Viet Nam. I came to Baltimore, Maryland in 1982
as a boat refugee. I moved to California a few months later and completed 4 years
of High School at Del Mar High. I am a proud De Anza College alumna. I received my
AA degree from De Anza College, my BA in Social Science with a double concentration
in Psychology and Sociology and my MA in Counselor Education from SJSU. I'm currently
a counselor and an instructor at De Anza College in the Counseling Division where
I provide personal, academic, and career counseling as well as teaching Human Development
courses to a wonderfully diverse student population. My approach to counseling is
mostly eclectic but strongly influenced by Dr. Carl R. Rogers' Person-Centered approach.
I believe that we act according to our self-concept. Therefore, our internal perspective
determines our reality and how we respond and react to that reality. When I work with
students, I usually focus on their current experiences, thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
I'm empathic, compassionate, and believing of other's reality but would always like
to introduce a different perspective to the issues. I have unconditional positive
regard, genuiness, and empathy for those I counseled because I believe we all have
the capacity to explore within ourselves and create positive changes to be happier,
healthier, and more fulfilled in this one journey through life! My passion has always
been working with people and understanding their life experiences, challenges, and
struggles. I believe that although happiness is elusive, it's within our reach if
we have a positive attitude, a strong conviction, and an optimistic point of view.
I believe there are higher beings, but I am the center of my life and my destiny.
I go through each day giving at least 3 compliments where they are dued, giving/getting
3 hugs a day and performing at least 1 random act of kindness. I treasure almost everything
in life and usually appreciate and tolerate what I might not. After all, the most
precious present in life is the present! So remember, to truly live it......
Classes I Teach
Winter 2025
Fall 2024