About Iris
Hello! I’m Iris, a queer, non-binary, Chinese-Costa Rican immigrant and a passionate therapist devoted to social justice. Fluent in Spanish, English, and conversational Mandarin and Shanghainese, I offer a linguistically and culturally attuned space where all aspects of your identity are embraced and valued.
My first experience with healing stemmed from a desire to understand and break repeating patterns in my life. This curiosity led me to explore my past and delve into the different facets of my heritage through indigenous ceremonies. It was during these ceremonies that I learned how developmental, intergenerational, and cultural trauma, as well as systemic oppression, can profoundly impact our well-being. These experiences ignited my interest in healing. Later, pursuing formal studies in psychology at JFK University provided me with the tools to guide others on their journeys and deepened my understanding.
Therapy, from my perspective, is deeply collaborative. We thrive when we connect, and healing often unfolds within the context of community. That’s why the therapist-client relationship that we build is the heart of my practice, providing a stable and nurturing foundation for exploration, growth, and the integration of all parts of your identity.
I hold an MA in Holistic Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Somatic Psychology from JFK University, and I’m a certified IFS level 1 practitioner. I am currently completing advanced training in Somatic Experiencing. My practice integrates somatic therapy, relational therapy, and IFS through a decolonizing lens to offer a holistic, transformative therapy experience. My understanding of systemic oppression and its effects on our personal and collective wellness guides my therapeutic approach, helping us to see that behaviors often labeled as “negative” responses are actually adaptive strategies and strengths when viewed in context.
