Hi! I’m Maxine.

Close-up of a woman with long, dark, wavy hair, smiling, wearing a gold hoop earring and a gold necklace with a round pendant, dressed in a green top, and standing against a light-colored background.
A woman sitting on a chair, holding a straw hat, smiling, in a warmly decorated wooden room with plants and a window in the background.

Success shouldn’t feel this heavy.

You’ve checked all the boxes and achieved the "dream," but from the inside, it feels like survival. The exhaustion, the quiet anxiety, and the pressure to never let the ball drop are the "hidden taxes" of being a BIPOC professional in spaces not built for you.

I’m not here to just sit and nod.

As a first-generation Filipina American therapist, I understand the weight of utang na loob, "good daughter" expectations, and the invisible ceiling of workplace microaggressions. My practice is a trauma-informed, culturally expansive space where we move you away from "performing" and toward Ginhawa—a deep, soul-level sense of ease.

You’ve carried everyone’s expectations long enough. It’s time to put the armor down.

How We’ll Work Together

My style is warm, direct, and real. We won’t stay at the surface; we will:

  • Find immediate relief: Use CBT and DBT to manage the daily grind of stress.

  • Heal the root: Unpack the generational patterns dictating your present.

  • Honor your grief: Navigate sudden loss, life transitions, or the quiet loss of your well-being.

  • Build your foundation: Reclaim the boundaries and self-trust you need to thrive.

Your healing is an act of liberation. If you’re ready to stop performing and start living, let’s talk.

Book Your Free Consultation Call or email me today—let’s work together to reclaim your peace and joy.

My Professional Journey & Expertise

  • My career is rooted in managing high-acuity behavioral health systems within the Bay Area. Currently, I provide clinical oversight and coordination for a large-scale metropolitan residential system of care, ensuring quality standards across 10+ programs. This "big picture" experience allows me to help my clients navigate the complex institutional and systemic pressures that often lead to burnout.

  • I bring years of experience in frontline crisis intervention and stabilization within public health and behavioral health units. This background ensures that I provide a grounded, steady presence for those navigating severe stress or trauma. I have also co-led the integration of racial equity frameworks and DEI initiatives within these systems to ensure culturally responsive care.

    • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #144712)

    • M.A. in Counseling Psychology, Holy Names University

    • B.A. in Urban Studies and Planning, San Francisco State University

    • Trauma-Informed Intervention Certificate

Get Started

Fun Facts

  • The Fast Five

    • The Big Move: LA-born, but the Bay Area is where my heart (and home) is now.

    • On the Court: You’ll find me out playing sports (kickball, volleyball, tennis - anything lol)—it’s my favorite way to clear my head.

    • Digital Escapes: I’m usually mid-way through an RPG or a new cozy game.

    • Creative Spark: Currently obsessed with digital art on procreate!

    • Current Read: Poppy War by RF Kuang. I always have a book (or three) on my nightstand.

Let’s Connect!

A safe space to start your journey. I look forward to hearing your story.