Dr. Van Bui, Asian American Therapist
Helping you release judgment, cultivate self-compassion, and (re)discover purpose
Serving Adults through Online Therapy Across California and In-Person for Residents of Orange County, Los Angeles, and Long Beach
If you are ready for self-discovery, self-acceptance, and creating long-lasting life changes…
Whether you are tired of constantly putting pressure on yourself to have everything in order and done exceptionally well, grappling with questions about the purpose and meaning of your existence, feeling conflicted with navigating between your dual heritage and the expectations of others, or simply struggling to trust that you are, in fact, enough…
…then this is the place for you.
My name is Van. I’m a California-based psychotherapist and dreamworker specializing in providing culturally responsive and depth-oriented care.
Through my own journey, I have found that therapy is for anyone who wants to live, love, think, and feel better.
-
As someone who has sat in the client’s chair at the therapist’s office, I can relate to many who feel both the fear and courage to start or restart the therapeutic process. I believe that you can only take someone as far as you have traveled. This value of mine has made me committed to being invested in my own growth through the individuation process, so I understand the amount of energy and effort it takes to confront fears, disappointments, and grief. That means when we work together, you won’t just get a therapist — you’ll get someone who is doing the work, too.
WHO I WORK WITH
My clients come to therapy feeling both scared and brave.
They are willing to look inward and honestly examine their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. They lean into uncomfortable moments with great courage when confronting painful memories and questioning long-held beliefs about themselves and the world. Often, they have spent most of their life dismissing their challenges (“My problem isn’t as bad as others. I don’t have a right to complain.”), but are realizing that they are also deserving of being heard and valued.
My clients show up with the intention to change. They’ve found that the ways they’ve been navigating life no longer feel sustainable or true to who they are. And they’re looking for a therapist who brings together depth-oriented and culturally responsive work to explore the intersection of identity, meaning, relationships, and the deeper layers of their inner world.
What do you mean by Depth-Oriented and Culturally Responsive Therapy?
My approach to therapy sits at the intersection of depth psychology, philosophy, and cultural responsiveness. This means we’ll explore not only present struggles, thoughts, and emotions, but also the deeper layers of your inner world—your unconscious patterns, relationships, identity, values, and the existential questions of meaning, purpose, and how you want to live.
At the same time, therapy does not happen outside of cultural context. Our racial, cultural, familial, and societal experiences shape how we relate to ourselves, others, achievement, belonging, and even suffering. Rather than pathologizing your experiences, I focus on creating space to understand them within the larger context of your life, relationships, and environment. Together, we’ll make space for both the psychological and cultural dimensions of your experience with curiosity, nuance, and care.
This work invites you to slow down, reflect more deeply, and build a more connected relationship with yourself and the life you want to move toward.
WHAT THERAPY WILL LOOK LIKE
No matter who you are and where you come from, your whole self is welcomed when you enter therapy with me.
In our work together, your needs, wants, feelings, and dreams are welcomed and valued.
Your imperfections, messy self, and dark shadowy thoughts are allowed. You don’t have to apologize for cussing, crying, or showing emotions. It’s okay if you don’t know what to say sometimes.
I believe therapy is a space to take pause, step out of autopilot and into reflection, and explore what feels most meaningful and present for you. I walk alongside you in this process as we make sense of your inner world, your patterns, and the experiences that continue to shape how you relate to yourself and others.
Our work may move between exploring past experiences, noticing present-day patterns, and sitting with what feels unclear or unresolved. At times, we may broaden perspective; at others, we may focus more deeply on what is unfolding internally. And sometimes, we simply stay with what is—without needing to change or fix it.
Each session may look different, but my intention remains the same: to support a deeper understanding of yourself and a more connected relationship with your inner world and your life.
TOGETHER IN OUR THERAPEUTIC JOURNEY, WE WILL…
➷ Strip away the masks that family, culture, and society expects you to wear
➷ Uncover your passions, values, and beliefs without judgment
➷ Make peace with the parts of yourself that you may have once considered flaws or shortcomings
➷ Appreciate and cherish being in the present moment, instead of being stuck in your head
➷ Have more confidence to approach life’s challenges as opportunities to learn, adapt, and evolve
Education and Credentials
Degrees
➷ Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Depth Psychology with Emphasis on Jungian and Archetypal Psychology, Pacifica Graduate Institute
➷ Master of Arts (MA), Depth Psychology with Emphasis on Jungian and Archetypal Psychology, Pacifica Graduate Institute
➷ Master of Social Work (MSW), California State University, Fullerton
➷ Bachelor of Arts(BA), Human Services,California State University, Fullerton
Licenses and Certifications
➷ Licensed Clinical Social Worker [CA LCSW #62240], California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Verify License through Board of Behavioral Sciences
➷ Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC), California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
➷ Dreamwork Certification, Machiel Klerk with the Jung Platform
➷ Field Instructor Certificate, California State University, Long Beach
➷ Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Psychwire with Russ Harris
➷ MBTI® Step I™ and Step II™ Certified Practitioner, Myers & Briggs Foundation
➷ Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), National Therapist Certification
➷ Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Certification, PESI Inc.
➷ Certified Grief Educator, David Kessler Training
Languages Spoken other than English
➷ Conversational Vietnamese
MORE ABOUT ME
Being a therapist is more than a career for me—it is my passion, it is my calling, and it is what gives meaning in my life.
-
As a second-generation Vietnamese American, I have spent most of my life conforming to the expectations of others and hustling for my worth. I have first-hand lived experiences of what it’s like to stuff my emotions, put on a façade to appease others, and place everyone else’s needs and wants before mine. Not to mention, the countless nights with spiraling thoughts of doom and emotional turmoil to make any sense of meaning in my life.
I used to think that therapy was only reserved for people who experienced a mental health crisis or major trauma—which is a considerable reason why I often dismissed my own feelings, thoughts, and experiences. But over time, I came to learn that if I truly wanted a life with more confidence and connection, then I had to brave facing my painful past, explore the past of my family and ancestors, and strip away the masks that family, culture, and society expected me to wear.
Therapy has been an eye-opening journey for me, revealing a profound truth: I am not alone. As I shared my experiences and vulnerabilities with my therapist, I gradually discovered that others have gone through similar challenges. This realization created a sense of connection and belonging that I had longed for. Knowing that my struggles were not unique made me feel less isolated and reinforced the idea that we are all interconnected. Through therapy, I found solace in the stories and wisdom of others, allowing me to embrace my shared experiences and forge a stronger sense of connection with those around me.
Because of this realization, my lifelong passion is committed to helping others discover the same: a sense of purpose and experiencing connection to others and themselves.
Other than being a therapist, I identify as a daughter of courageous refugee parents, a wife, sister, auntie, confidante, and cat mom. I’m predominantly introverted—which simply means that more often than not, I enjoy spending my time alone looking for the next thing to clean/organize or am knee-deep in my thoughts. Other times, you can find me exploring new coffee shops with my husband, giving back to our community, or petting a stray cat.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
-
First and foremost, I believe therapy is a relational process. I don't see myself as an expert dictating your path; instead, I am a companion and a witness to your unique experience. The therapeutic space we share is where your journey takes center stage. In our sessions, the heart of our work lies in the powerful therapeutic alliance we build together. We will navigate your experiences together, fostering a dynamic therapeutic alliance that propels you towards healing and personal growth.
-
For your therapeutic space, I draw from a rich tapestry of theoretical orientations to tailor our journey to your unique needs.
Psychodynamic Approach:
Explore the depths of your unconscious mind and delve into the dynamics of your past experiences. The psychodynamic orientation focuses on understanding how early life experiences shape your present, fostering insight and awareness to promote lasting change.
Existential/Humanistic Psychology:
Dive into the exploration of your individual human experience. Together, we'll delve into themes of meaning, freedom, and personal responsibility. This approach emphasizes self-discovery and the cultivation of an authentic life in alignment with your values.
Culturally Responsive Therapy:
Tailored to honor diversity, this approach acknowledges and respects your unique cultural background. Culturally responsive therapy ensures that our work is inclusive, affirming, and sensitive to the intersections of your identity.
Jungian Psychology:
Embark on a profound exploration of your psyche guided by Jungian psychology. Uncover the symbolism of archetypes, navigate the collective unconscious, and embark on a transformative journey toward individuation. This orientation facilitates a harmonious integration of different facets of your self.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):
Rooted in mindfulness and values, ACT provides a practical framework for navigating life's challenges. Learn to accept thoughts and emotions, commit to your core values, and take meaningful actions. This approach empowers you to overcome obstacles and build a life in harmony with your true self.
In this integrative therapeutic space, the convergence of these diverse orientations is designed to support your personal growth, foster self-discovery, and guide you toward a life that authentically reflects your values and cultural context.
Visit my FAQs page for commonly asked questions or Investment page for questions about fees and services.
You don’t have to figure it all out to be enough.