THUY THERAPY
THUY THERAPY
I’m Teresa Nguyen and I am a Vietnamese-American licensed professional counselor in Kansas. I’m not entirely fluent in Vietnamese but I do relate to the children of immigrants narrative. I will go wherever you go in therapy, as this is your journey, and I am just along for the ride— guiding you to whatever destination you want to go to. I can be direct, but I wait until we both are pretty comfortable with each other since one of the best ways for therapy to work is if our therapeutic relationship is pretty good. My goal is to foster a safe and nurturing environment where you can navigate life's challenges with confidence, knowing that you're not walking this journey alone.
Ever since I can remember, I have always liked helping others by being a compassionate listening ear. As someone raised in a Vietnamese household while growing up in an American society, there were unique experiences, and I found it hard to find another therapist who had a similar background in my area. Realizing the impact of representation on mental health, I have decided to pursue becoming a therapist.
I have a diverse background working in different psychological settings such as community mental health, schools, hospitals, and, of course, private practice. Those occupations of being a community support specialist, a tutor for middle schoolers, a therapeutic paraprofessional for children with socioemotional concerns, and a mental health specialist in a children’s psychiatric hospital brought me a wide range of experiences that I bring into my therapy. Even though I mainly worked with children and teens, I have realized I enjoy working with people of all ages.
Outside of being a therapist, I’m a huge foodie who loves finding good Korean BBQ (haven’t found a good KBBQ restaurant in KC yet) and exploring fun restaurants. I am also a huge nerd and will make a ton of references to pop culture, anime, and movies (only if you’re okay with them!) If you have any recommendations to literally anything, I will check it out since I love to explore new things.
SPECIALTIES
Children (Adults) of Immigrants Challenges
As a child of immigrants, I deeply understand the unique challenges that come with this experience. You may have taken on the role of translator for your parents or wrestled with finding your own identity while honoring your parents’ collectivist values. Being a child of immigrants often comes with niche experiences that can be difficult for others to fully grasp, making your journey all the more complex and unique.
Neurodiversity
Having worked extensively with neurodivergent children and teens and being neurodivergent myself, I provide strategies and education about neurodiversity to manage and thrive despite the challenges, highlighting strengths and capabilities.
Youth/Family Counseling
My background as a community-support specialist and working in various settings with kids and teens has equipped me to support young individuals and families coping with trauma and other stressors, enhancing their ability to deal with school and social pressures.
Life Transitions
We will always experience life transitions, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. Sometimes, we may need extra support or guidance in working through the unknown of new life transitions. Some guidance and support could mean learning more about ourselves and revealing attachment wounds.
Gender Identity/LGBTQIA+
Exploring your gender identity or navigating life as part of the LGBTQIA+ community can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. I provide a safe, affirming space to support you through questions about identity, coming out, transitioning, or addressing issues like stigma and discrimination.