Van Tran, ASW

I focus my work with adults and couples who experience anxiety (panic, phobias, OCD), trauma (PTSD, relational, intergenerational), feelings of shame tied to rigid internalized identities, emotional or relational difficulties, people-pleasing patterns, anxious–avoidant dynamics, and boundary challenges.
**CNM/poly, kink, neurodivergent, and LGBTQ+ affirming.**

I will sit with you as you explore the difficult things that show up when life doesn’t go the way you hoped. Together, we’ll uncover what makes your heart sing, what truly matters to you, and find alternative ways of responding when current patterns are no longer serving you. You will learn to better name your needs and pause before reacting in familiar patterns such as people-pleasing, shutting down, or self-criticism . Over time, many clients find it easier to set boundaries without guilt, communicate directly in relationships, recover faster from setbacks, and make decisions with greater clarity and self-trust.

As an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-oriented therapist, I also draw from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), as well as mindfulness and somatic-based approaches. Beyond the many therapy acronyms, what matters most is that I take the time to understand you and thoughtfully tailor evidence-based interventions to your unique needs.

Together, we will cultivate embodied wisdom, deepen awareness of how your history and relationship dynamics influence your present experiences, and build the psychological flexibility needed to create a meaningful, values-driven life. I help individuals and couples use acceptance and mindfulness-based strategies to stay present and move toward what matters most, even in the presence of difficult thoughts, emotions, or urges.

What sessions with me are like?
I am collaborative and supportive yet practical. I seek to understand how larger systems contributes to your problems and help you find alternative ways to create meaningful change. Sessions will include mindfulness practices, values exploration, examining how thoughts and behaviors contribute to suffering, and attention to how the body and nervous system play a role in your experience.