Trina Chan MA, LMFT 119831 California
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, bilingual in both English and Mandarin. I received my MA degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University, CA and I am also a Certified Life Coach. I completed several years of my training in private practice in Beverly Hills and Manhattan Beach, and received supervision that was mainly focused on psychodynamic approaches, with an emphasis on the relationship between client and therapist.
I have worked with a diverse population, ranging from providing individual and group therapy to women and children survivors of domestic violence at the Asian Pacific Women’s Center, to providing support to those in emotional distress and with suicidal tendencies at The Samaritans in Hong Kong. I have experience in working with anxiety, trauma, depression, grief and loss, family and relationship issues and life transitions, amongst others.
After graduating with a BA degree in English and Drama with Education Studies from the University of Cambridge, UK and prior to pursuing a career as a psychotherapist, I spent a year at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in Los Angeles. My training in Drama, Film and Theatre and in ‘the Method’ have provided ideas and techniques to develop exercises that are effective in relaxation and healing.
My training and experience have encouraged me to approach every situation with an open mind, to be flexible, creative and empathetic. Life’s challenges often present an opportunity for growth and personal development. I am passionate about helping individuals to gain greater insight and self-awareness, explore relationship patterns, understand past experiences and unconscious processes and how they continue to impact life in the present, and work towards making certain changes in order to experience greater satisfaction in their lives. Honesty and respect are qualities that I value highly and I believe strongly in creating a safe, open and non-judgmental environment in order for individuals to feel comfortable expressing themselves and to work through difficult and complex issues.