About
My name is Doris Nguyen and I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in Orange County, California. After graduating from the University of California, Los Angeles, I pursued a career in the corporate world for several years. Although working in business was far from the world of therapy, it became clear after some time that connecting with others--coworkers, friends, family, those I served in the community--was something I truly enjoyed.
I grew up in an environment where therapy was stigmatized and mental and emotional struggles were internalized. What appeared as strength to handle life’s hardships was really a mask covering the brokenness and pain that needed deep healing. The process of being in therapy was one of the most transformative experiences that has impacted all aspects of my life. It has shaped the way I see hope and grown my compassion for those who are suffering.
My desire to come alongside others in their journeys led me to pursue my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Fuller Theological Seminary. During my training, I worked with the underprivileged community at Santa Anita Family Services, where I had the opportunity to walk alongside adults, families and children and help them work through their mental and emotional distress. I continued my work at the Center for Individual and Family Therapy, where I was able to continue deepening my skills in areas such as anxiety, grief/loss, identity formation and relationship struggles. I have been providing mental health services for individual adults and couples for over 10 years.
My Therapy Approach
I see therapy as a safe space where life stories can be shared and accepted without judgment. My therapeutic style is relational and collaborative. Foundationally, my framework is based on Psychodynamic and Attachment-based therapies. My faith as a Christian also guides my practice, however, my clients can choose if and how spirituality is integrated into their care. These approaches will provide the lens through which we explore how your earlier experiences have shaped who you are, how you see yourself and others, and how you relate to the world. As you gain greater awareness of yourself, you will be more equipped to choose differently than in the past, and have greater capacity for positive change. Clients often experience relief when they are able to understand parts of themselves in the context of their stories.
I often liken therapy to putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Your life is like a jigsaw puzzle that’s been dumped on the ground. Some pieces are right side up, some upside down, some pieces are lost, whereas some may be connected. Over time, we will connect pieces and notice patterns you see in your life, uncover what’s underneath certain pieces, and perhaps find lost pieces. What we usually find is a greater sense of wholeness and healing.
While there may be relief found within the first few sessions of therapy, it’s important to note that therapy is not a quick fix. It has been my experience that clients who are willing to grow and challenge themselves will do the deeper work over time to create the lasting change they desire. If what you’ve read resonates with you and you’d like to learn more, I would be happy to have a conversation with you to see if my therapy approach can be the right one for you.
“Over time, we will connect pieces and notice patterns you see in your life, uncover what’s underneath certain pieces, and perhaps find lost pieces. What we usually find is a greater sense of wholeness and healing.”
