About Sayun
Somatic Psychotherapist
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California, New Jersey, and New Hampshire, and a Certified IFS and Attachment-Focused EMDR therapist. I offer depth-oriented, trauma-informed, somatic psychotherapy for adults navigating complex inner and relational worlds. Before entering private practice, I worked with adults, families, and youth in schools, shelters, and community-based agencies. My passion for healing practices along the body-mind-spirit continuum began over 25 years ago through the study and practice of meditation, Reiki, yoga and bodywork.
My interest in psychology, healing and human behavior evolved from growing up in and being from both Eastern and Western cultures and a desire to make meaning from contradiction, multiplicity, trauma and loss. I was born in Vietnam during the Vietnam War to an indigeneous Atayal Taiwanese mother and a New Englander Scots-Irish American father, and spent my childhood living in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the United States. As a Third Culture Kid (TCK)—someone raised in cultures outside of their parents’ country of origin—I grew up with a deep awareness of cultural nuance and the complexity of home and belonging. As a young adult, I studied and worked in Mainland China, where I became fluent in Mandarin Chinese. These diverse life experiences continue to shape how I hold space for the rich complexities of human behavior, layered identity, larger cultural and political systems, and intergenerational narratives of trauma and resilience.
My clinical focus includes developmental, intergenerational and systemic trauma, identity, otherness and belonging, anxiety, depression, shame, individuation, pre/perinatal and parent mental health, recovery from codependency and family addiction patterns and disenfranchised grief. I’m especially interested in the intersection of neuroscience, mindfulness, and compassion in therapy.
In addition to being a Certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapist and Approved IFS Clinical Consultant, I assist in IFS Institute Level 1 trainings in the U.S. and internationally when my schedule allows. I also hold certifications in yoga, massage therapy, and Reiki, and have long-standing practices in meditation rooted in the Vipassana and Shambhala traditions. All of these streams of influences help me meet clients along the body-mind-spirit continuum with curiosity, inclusivity, and attunement.
My Holistic Approach
It is my belief that transformation and healing are intrinsic to us all. Therapy
is a journey of coming home to yourself—a process of reconnecting with the parts of you that carry wisdom, strength, and resilience while gently disentangling from patterns, burdens, and beliefs that no longer serve you. I take a holistic approach when facilitating psychotherapy and work with individuals to cultivate a grounded, more compassionate vision of their lives.
As we work together, my aim is to help you foster a deeper connection to your core Self—the innate, calm, and centered presence within. From this place, you can meet your struggles with curiosity and compassion, discover and advocate for what you need to live in greater balance, and engage life with a greater sense of peace and wholeness. Therapy is not just about alleviating symptoms but about cultivating a richer and more present relationship with yourself and the world around you.
Using an integrative and embodied approach, I draw on Internal Family Systems (IFS) alongside Brainspotting, EMDR, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and other somatic approaches to support clients in working with the complexity of trauma, including complex, attachment, intergenerational, historical and systemic trauma. These modalities complement one another by addressing the interconnected layers of mind, body, and spirit, helping you feel more grounded and present in your daily life.
In our sessions, I will invite you to explore your experience with openness and curiosity, tracking sensations, emotions, and thoughts in a way that brings deeper awareness and self-acceptance of your internal system. I am passionate about helping clients strengthen their inner sense of security, deepen intimacy within their relationships, and nurture their capacity to grow. Together, we will create a safe and collaborative space where all parts of you are welcomed, respected and understood. My role is not to give you answers, but to guide you toward understanding and honoring the intelligence behind your patterns, so that new choices and pathways become available to you.
Credentials

Education
- John F. Kennedy University, MA – Somatic Psychology
- Johns Hopkins University – Freeman Fellowship/graduate study in Nanjing, China
- School for International Training (SIT) – Minority Studies in Yunnan, China
- University of Virginia, BA – Distinguished Major in East Asian Studies Art and Minor in Art History
Selected Clinical Trainings & Certification

Certifications
- Certified in Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- IFS Institute Approved Clinical Consultant
- Certified in EMDR | Attachment-focused EMDR
- Certified 200-hour Yoga Teacher
- Certified Massage Therapist | World School of Massage & Old Medicine Hospital
- Certified Infant Massage Instructor | World Institute for Nurturing Communication
- Certified Reiki III Practitioner

Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Somatic IFS Level 1 with Susan McConnell, PhD
- IFS Level 2: Deepening and Expanding with Pam Krause, LCSW
- IFS Level 2: Addiction and Eating Disorders Level 2 with Cece Sykes, LCSW
- IFS and Transcending Trauma with Frank Anderson, MD
- IFS Level 1 with Mariel Pastor, LMFT, Mary Kruger, LMFT, and Fran Booth, LICSW
- Self-Like Parts with Pam Krause, LCSW through Life Architect
- IFS Groups with Mary Kruger, LMFT through Life Architect
- Integrative Somatic Parts Work with Fran Booth, LICSW through The Embody Lab
- Informed IFS Trauma and Dissociation with Joanne Twombly, LICSW
- Self-led Grief—Navigating the Inevitable with Derek Scott
- Program Assistant for IFSI Level 1 trainings

EMDR
- Attachment-focused EMDR Level 1 – 3 with Laurel Parnell, PhD
- When There Are No Words: Early Trauma and Neglect with Katie O’Shea, LMHC
- Expressive Arts Therapy, EMDR, and Sensory Integration: Resourcing, Orienting and Grounding with Cathy Malchiodi, PhD and Elizabeth Warson, PhD
- IFS-informed EMDR: the IFS Interweave with Bruce Hersey
- Feeling State Addiction Protocol with Robert Miller, PhD
- The Advanced Practice for Perinatal & Infant Mental Health with Mara Stein, PsyD

Brainspotting
- Brainspotting Phase 1 – 2 with Pie Frey, PhD
- Expansion Brainspotting with Lisa Larson, LMFT
- From Freeze to Thaw: Unlocking Trauma in the Body with Serene Rene’ Calkins, PT and Mary Jane O’Rourke, LCSW
- From Freeze to Thaw: The Next Level with Serene Rene’ Calkins, PT and Mary Jane O’Rourke, LCSW
- Brainspotting and Reiki with Heather Corbet, OT

Somatic Psychotherapy
- Somatic IFS Level 1 with Susan McConnell, PhD
- Polyvagal Theory in Action: Creating Safety and Connection with Deb Dana, LCSW
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level 2 Developmental and Relational Injury with Pat Ogden, PhD
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level I Trauma Themes with Janina Fisher, PhD, Kekuni Minton, PhD, and Justine Polevoy, LMFT
- NeuroAffective Touch® Basics: The Alphabet of Touch with Aline LaPierre, PhD
- The Embodied Therapist: Deepening Somatic Practices in Psychotherapy with Susan Apoyashan, LPC
- Havening Techniques with Dr. Kate Truitt
- Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM) Level 2 with Elaine Miller-Karas
- Voice Dialogue Level 1 with Dr. Judith Tamar Stone
- Emotional Freedom Technique with Helaine Z. Harris, LMFT

Perinatal-Postpartum-Couples
- Maternal Mental Health Certificate from PSI/2020 Mom
- Sex & Perinatal Mental Health Conference with Maternal Mental Health Now
- Perinatal Perfectionism: Using IFS to Heal Inner Critics with Family Tree Wellness
- Experiential Hakomi Psychotherapy with Couples with Rob Fisher, LMFT
- Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT) Core Skills with James Furrow, PhD and Silvia Irwin, PhD
- Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT) Externship with Dr. Sue Johnson
- Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT) with Stan Tatkin, PhD
- EMDR: The Advanced Practice for Perinatal & Infant Mental Health with Dr. Mara Stein
- Relational Gestalt Therapy (Weekend Training Program) with Pacific Gestalt Institute

Energy work – Yoga – Bodywork
- Ancestral Lineage Healing with Daniel Foor, PhD
- Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with Trudy Goodman
- World School of Massage in San Francisco, CA
- Chakra Energy Flow Training with Paul Denniston
- Old Medicine Hospital in Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Work/Study Sivananda Retreat in the Bahamas
- Ananda Yoga 200-hour Teacher Training in Nevada City, CA
- Energy Medicine Yoga with Lauren Walker
- Yin Yoga Training 1-2 from Spiral Path Yoga with Addie deHilster
- Body Harmony with Duncan Hogg
- Reiki III Master Practitioner

Professional Affiliations
- IFS Institute
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute
- EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
- California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do we start?
It is essential to find a therapist that you feel is compatible with you. Research shows that healing is effective in the context of a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship. I encourage you to call my office so we can have a complimentary 15 minute consultation to discuss the issues you want to address and see if it is a good idea to set up an initial meeting.
During our first appointment you will share in greater depth the problem that is bringing you to therapy, and get a sense of me and how I work. You can ask me about my credentials, education, and approach to therapy, and we will review my office policies and other important things for you to know.
What are your fees?
Please reach out to inquire about my current rates. My fees reflect the standard range for licensed psychotherapists with advanced training in this field and over 20 years of clinical experience. I offer a limited number of reduced-fee slots, though these are currently full.
Do you accept insurance?
I do not accept HMO insurance directly for payment, however if you have a PPO health plan, your company may reimburse a percentage of what you have already paid. Please contact your health care provider to see if they reimburse for services rendered by an “out-of-network Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.” I can provide you with a monthly statement that you can then submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. It is important to know that most insurance carriers require a mental health disorder to qualify for coverage and reimbursement.
Please check your coverage carefully by asking the following questions:
- What are my mental health benefits? Do I need to meet a deductible?
- What is the coverage amount/percentage per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover per calendar year?
- How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
Your insurance company representative may want to know the CPT code. The CPT codes are 90834 for a 50-minute individual psychotherapy session, and 90837 for a 75 or 90 minute individual psychotherapy session.
Who do you work with?
I work with adult individuals across a wide age range, from early adulthood through the elder years. I strive to understand each client’s unique story and lived context, honoring the richness of their cultural, racial, generational, gender, relationship orientation, spiritual, neurodiverse, and LGBTQIA+identities—with deep respect and curiosity.
What areas of focus do you work with?
I work with anxiety, attachment injury, depression, burnout, shame and perfectionism, inner critics, grief/loss, intergenerational and historical trauma, multi-racial and cross-cultural issues, disenfranchised grief, commitment issues, neurodiversity, codependency, shadow work, imposter syndrome, abandonment, betrayal, inner child work, family addiction patterns, work stress, creative blocks, otherness and belonging issues, midlife and quarter-life adjustments, fertility struggles, perinatal/postpartum mental health, parenting stress, self-esteem, spiritual exploration, eco-anxiety, body image, aging, chronic pain, individuation from family of origin across the lifespan, dreamwork, ancestral honoring and healing
What is your cancellation policy?
A scheduled appointment means that time is reserved for only you. If you need to cancel an appointment, please notify me as soon as possible. A full session fee is charged for missed appointments or cancellations with less than a 48-hour notice. Appointments cancelled less than 48 hours prior will be charged the regular fee unless we are able to reschedule the appointment within the same week. Please note that if you are submitting superbills your insurance company will not pay for late cancellations or missed sessions.
How often do we meet?
I offer flexibility in how often we meet—weekly, biweekly, and at times more than once a week—either in person in Pasadena, CA, or virtually for clients in California, New Jersey, and New Hampshire. Sessions are typically 50 or 75 minutes long.
Longer sessions and Intensives can be especially supportive if you meet less than once a week or prefer more time for exploration and integration, as traditional 50-minute sessions can feel too brief to work on deeper layers. An extended format offers spaciousness when exploring deeper, nuanced layers and allows for a more integrative and grounded healing process.
How long will it take?
Everyone’s timeline and circumstances are unique. How long therapy will take depends on your unique goals, preferences, and the specific challenges you are working through. We will consider factors such as the depth of the issues you're addressing, how long they've been present in your life, the strength of our therapeutic relationship, your ongoing practice of grounding and resourcing and the presence of a supportive network in your life.
Whether you are interested in short-term or long-term holistic psychotherapy, we will evaluate the effectiveness of our work together on an ongoing basis.
What is a Therapy Intensive?
An Intensive is a focused, accelerated form of therapy designed to support deeper healing in a shorter amount of time. Instead of spreading out sessions week to week, we work together over the course of 1 - 3 days, allowing us to dive in without the usual interruptions or time constraints. This format is ideal if you’re craving movement, clarity, or change—and prefer to work in a way that feels immersive and spacious rather than fragmented.
These sessions range from 90-minute “mini-intensives” to 3-hour half-day blocks over 1 -3 days, depending on your needs.
Many people find the immersive experience of Intensives powerful and transformative. You don't have to warm up, find your rhythm, and then get cut off just as you're getting to the heart of things. With extended time together, we can access and process material that may take months to reach in shorter sessions. Whether your schedule makes weekly therapy difficult or your mind simply works better in longer, concentrated stretches, an Intensive can offer meaningful shifts and sustained momentum.
This format can also serve as a powerful adjunct to ongoing therapy. I also offer intensives to fellow therapists or IFS practitioners who are curious about IFS and wish to experience the model directly. Sessions are available both virtually and in-person in my Pasadena office.
Information on receiving a Good Faith Estimate (GFE):
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.