Sandy Kong LMFT

I am a first generation Asian-American. My parents are both immigrants, and came to the US, escaping a genocide in the late 70s. What prompted me to become a therapist was my own issues grappling with mental health - Anxiety, Depression, PTSD; living bi-culturally - trying to navigate traditional and cultural clashes, as well as growing up in a low socioeconomic area. Psychology saved my life. I took my first psychology class as a senior in high school, with no direction or thought that it would guide me here to where I am today. In college, I switched my major to honor what brought me joy, and not what others wanted. As hard as it was to go against what others expected of me, and despite all the objections and challenges, I chose to do what made my happy. So I pursued an education that I was passionate about - Psychology. It plays a big part in who I am as a person and as a professional. I am thankful for all that this path as led me to, right here in this moment. I'm grateful to be able to make a living doing what I love. I am always so honored and humbled to witness the resilience and strength of people. I truly enjoy helping others and being a part of someone's healing process. I also deeply believe in the healing powers of psychedelics. I'm a certified Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapist. I offer Ketamine Assisted Therapy as well as Psychedelic Integration sessions.

• California, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, 119380

My journey as a therapist started off working as an intern at a residential facility on Oakland, serving an all-male population who were given the option to go to prison or rehab. I supported them with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. After gaining experience there, I then went to work for a residential facility in Marin County, that served a high end co-ed clientele population. Both experiences provided me with the ability to work with a wide range of people from all sorts of socioeconomic backgrounds and cultural upbringings. I then wanted to broaden my knowledge so I went to work at on Outpatient Facility, a methadone clinic, and learned about the harm-reduction model. There I helped run the IOP program and groups, while also seeing individuals clients. After working in the substance abuse field for a few years, all of which I am so grateful for, I wanted to try something different. My next calling was working for a non-profit, community-based, social justice agency where I provided therapy to victims of crime, victims of homicide, domestic violence, and worked with trauma, depression, anxiety, and grief/loss. From there, I then entered the world of working at a mental health clinic. I worked alongside doctors, nurse practitioners, psychologists, and psychiatrists. I was able to learn a lot during my time there. Then lastly, I joined a group private practice, which allowed me to gain more knowledge and skills in learning how a private practice is run before deciding to make the jump towards my own private practice. All of my work experiences have equipped me with the ability to be able to be the therapist that I am today. I bring my life experience plus the knowledge, skills, and insight I've developed over the years into a space to co-create along with you, your experience, your knowledge, skills, and insight.