Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Hsu, LMFT.
Cynthia, before we jump into specific questions about your practice, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
The path that led me to become a psychotherapist grew from the pain, confusion and trauma I experienced as a child. I felt broken and that there was something inherently wrong with me and grew up wanting to understand the human condition and the nature of suffering. I wanted to learn how to heal and put myself back together.
Taking my first psychology course in high school was a turning point for me. I began to learn about myself, the human experience, the mind, consciousness and healing. Overtime (through many years of studying psychology, learning about and experiencing alternative healing modalities, dedicating myself to spiritual practices like yoga and meditation, along with going through therapy myself), I began to understand myself and how my past shaped, yet didn’t define me as a person, and I became stronger and started to heal.
At some point, I realized that it came naturally to me to listen to, understand and empathize with others and to help them gain insight and feel better. I would also get this feedback from friends and even strangers on airplanes. Becoming a therapist hasn’t been a straight shot for me… it’s been a bit of a long and winding road… definitely an adventure! I’ve worked in social services, as a teacher (taught mind-body-wellness at Kaiser, English in China for a few years, kids on the autistic spectrum) did disaster work for the Red Cross… literacy-based work in the US and Africa… plus other miscellaneous jobs. Looking back, I can see how all of my life, work and volunteer experiences have shaped me as a therapist and my capacity to be with, explore with, and heal with others as they navigate this humbling human experience of life.
No woman/man is an island and we’re not meant to do this human experience alone. For those of us living in western countries, life can be overly independent and isolating. It can feel like weakness to ask for help. I believe there would be far less health issues (physical, mental, emotional) and social issues overall if we all felt a stronger sense of community and belonging… if we could help each other to thrive, to feel good, to live well. I know that in my times of need, it has brought me comfort, encouragement and peace to have even one person extend a helping hand. That’s my wish to walk along with and support others on their life journey.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Like every other human being on this planet, I’ve had my share of challenges and obstacles. No one tells you as an undergrad or even in grad school that if you become a psychotherapist and want to have a private practice that you’ll need to know how to grow a business. When I was in grad school, I naively assumed that once I hung out my shingle that clients would be lining up outside my door. Initially, it was confusing and frustrating to learn all the ins and outs of launching/running a business. I felt clueless when it came to anything involving business or marketing. Then it became this opportunity for me to grow other sides of myself. And I have to say that it’s empowering to see and know that I’ve built my private practice from the ground up. There’s a deep sense of satisfaction in this.
We’d love to hear more about your practice.
I’m a counselor/psychotherapist that supports highly sensitive people to be comfortable in their own skin and to feel good in their relationships and all areas of their lives. I love and am passionate about my healing work with clients! It is deeply joyful, gratifying and meaningful to me to be able to accompany another human being as they navigate life’s joys and challenges.
I remember coming across an interview with the Dalai Lama, where he said that he was surprised by how self-criticism and self-loathing are pandemic in western countries. From both my own experience and in working with clients, that rings true. I find that people who come to me are often extremely self-critical and hard on themselves. Many are perfectionists. As a highly sensitive person and recovering perfectionist, I know firsthand how stressful that can be and how it can affect one’s self-esteem and self-worth. I believe we could all benefit from being easier on and kinder to ourselves and to forgive ourselves. That’s an important part of my work with clients to support them in cultivating self-love, self-acceptance and self-compassion.
My sessions with clients are tailored to the needs of each person and are dynamic and experiential. My approach to healing involves mindfulness and working with the mind-body connection. There’s an expression that “the issues are in the tissues,” which refers to how emotions, stress, and traumas can be stored in the body. They can accumulate over time, create blockages and lead to physical/mental/emotional imbalances, dis-ease and generally not feeling well. My training in holistic & somatic counseling gives me the tools to explore issues with clients on a mind-body-spirit level, which can start to free up blockages in one’s life. When we begin to clear the blockages in our lives, we naturally move towards feeling better and being the best versions of ourselves. I also believe that healing and creating positive change in our lives involve shifting and transforming our core beliefs and experiences.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Even though I’ve encountered challenges along the way, I wouldn’t change my path because it’s all led me to where I am now doing what I love and loving what I do! I will say that for anyone who’s thinking of becoming a licensed psychotherapist… I’d suggest looking into masters programs for both counseling psychology and social work before deciding on one. Both can take you down the licensure route. I got my master’s degree in Counseling Psych and what I learned later is that for someone who gets their master’s degree in social work… the process to get licensed as a therapist is usually quicker, with higher pay while completing the 3,000 clinical hours and with potentially more job opportunities (licensed social workers are in demand in hospitals and agencies).
Contact Info:
- Address: 5230 Carroll Canyon Rd.
San Diego, CA 92121 - Website: www.cynthiahsu.com
- Phone: 408-827-5753
- Email: cynthia.mindfulhealing@gmail.com
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