Background & training
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California
Training in pastoral care and spiritual formation
About
Hi, I’m Margretta, and I’m glad you’re here. If you’re carrying the weight of anxiety, burnout, unhealed wounds, or the quiet ache of not quite belonging, you don’t have to figure it out alone. I see clients by video anywhere in California and in person in central San Diego.
One of my favorite proverbs says, “Watch over your heart with all diligence. For from it flows the springs of life.” Our well-being is deeply connected to the condition of our hearts. When a heart is wounded and left unhealed, it ripples into every area of life: our sense of self, our relationships, and our ability to move forward. Yet watching over our hearts shouldn’t be a one-person job, especially when healing is needed after pain and suffering.
I was born and raised in China, speak Mandarin and Cantonese fluently, and have lived in several cities and countries. Those experiences have made me curious about other people’s stories and given me empathy, cross-cultural understanding, and a deep commitment to meeting each person where they are.
How I work
I specialize in Christian counseling and especially enjoy working with Christian faith communities, ministry leaders, and church workers. I also have years of experience supporting women who have experienced sexual, emotional, or spiritual abuse, as well as individuals 15 and older, couples, and families navigating life’s challenges.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Restoration Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy
Mindfulness
Other trauma-informed methods
Faith-integrated therapy, if you’d like it
I believe lasting transformation happens when we tend to the whole person: mind, body, and soul. If you’d like your spiritual life to be part of your healing, I offer faith-integrated therapy in a space that honors both clinical care and spiritual insight. I’m quick to see the strengths and potential in others, and I’ll work with you with honesty, compassion, and grace.
What we can work on
Christian counseling
Anxiety, depression, and stress
Burnout
Trauma and grief
Healing from sexual, emotional, or spiritual abuse
Self-identity and personal growth
Relationships and family
Life transitions and adjustment
I look forward to hearing your story and journeying together with you. Thank you for choosing courage for yourself today.
