Gladys Lai

LCSW

No one goes through life without experiencing ups and downs. Because of my own personal experiences and issues with family, relationships, work, loss and life transitions, I can more easily put myself in the shoes of others and understand how frustrating and trying those situations can be. They also motivated me to delve into and understand better human psychology, development and relationships. I have noticed the conditions which best help me to think, feel and find resolution, so I promote as much open-mindedness, nonjudgment, compassion, and collaboration as possible in my work with my clients.

I work with my clients to create a safe environment in which we can explore your problems. I will ask you a lot of questions to help you be curious about your beliefs, present way of being, and desires. You are your own expert and the one to best decide what changes you would like to start making and at what speed. I tend to be interactive with my clients in therapy, giving feedback when I feel it is appropriate, but also listening when that will be more helpful. I do not give homework, but I may occasionally suggest helpful perspectives and ways to observe that you can practice outside of sessions.

I have been interested in what makes people who they are for as long as I can remember. How do two children who have the same parents come to approach the world from opposite perspectives? Why is one shy and the other outgoing? What causes people to be stuck in situations and relationships that do not seem to serve them? Why do they repeat these kinds of relationships with other people? Wanting to find answers to such questions led me to learn about psychology. I know how important it was in my life to have people who helped me psychologically, and I want to extend that help to others.