Elena Duong, Psy.D.

Is your life at crossroads? Are you questioning everything, including what you want to do with your life? Do you know what you actually want to do? Growing up, you, who identify as sensitive, introverted, queer, and/or part of the minority, often felt like you don’t fit in. To move through life, you perfected your mask to the world and tried to blend in like a chameleon. You learned to survive…becoming what other people wanted. As an adult, you realize you aren’t living the life you wanted or don’t know what life you wanted. You are on autopilot. If you are of a minority identity and a young working professional, it is also likely no one prepared you for the transition from school to work. It is trial-and-error as well as anxiety-provoking to stumble through it alone. We can work together to understand yourself and how to move through the world without having to numb out and/or use unhealthy coping skills, which can include looking within, exploring your identities in a nonjudgmental safe space, and grieving how you were treated growing up. You are worthy because you exist. As a fellow introvert, highly sensitive person, and recovering perfectionist, I understand how difficult it can be to navigate through today’s demanding, extroverted, and cis/hetero-normative society. In addition, I have a soft spot for you, who tried your best and are often struggling to stay afloat since you were likely taught to suffer in silence. It takes a lot of courage to reach out and ask for help, especially if you were taught not to.