Hi, I’m Dr. Rona!

Pronouns: She/Her/Siya
California Licensed Clinical Psychologist 33345

I’m a mind-body psychologist and certified yoga practitioner based in California. My work stems from feminist, decolonization, and embodiment practices. I am passionate about working with Filipinx and other AANHPI folks, helping them dismantle things like imposter syndrome and perfectionism, and navigating being first/second generation (adult) children of immigrant parents.

Many of my clients also work with me to heal from trauma, anxiety, or body image issues. Others are looking for support with managing their chronic pain and improving their quality of life.

I’m committed to diverse, liberation oriented communities. I take a holistic and non-judgmental approach to help clients reach their goals of living a meaningful, well-balanced life.

Magkasama tayo! We’re in this together~

~

If you’re a fellow provider, healer, community leader, or practitioner, and you would like to work together, please find the ‘connect’ page.

Mind-Body Health & Wellness

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Anxiety and Panic

  • Chronic Pain/Illness Management
    (headaches, migraines, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, IBS, etc.)

  • Body image, Intuitive Eating & Emotional Eating

  • WOC with Imposter Syndrome

  • Filipinx-American Mental Health / AAPI Mental Health

  • Women’s health (PMDD, PMS, peripartum mental health)

  • (Adult) Children of immigrants navigating difficult family/cultural dynamics

  • Intergenerational trauma and Complex trauma

  • Exploring gender identity/gender roles

MY APPROACH

Taking an integrative and holistic approach to talk therapy, we can work on getting you reconnected with yourself, and realigning the pieces of your life that feel out of place. Whether it be your mental wellness, or your eating and sleeping habits. Part of my approach incorporates mindfulness and yoga concepts & techniques into talk therapy,

Together we will explore the here and now with self-compassion, and in turn, find practical ways for you to take steps towards creating the life you envision for yourself. Magkasama tayo! We’re in this together.

My practice is deeply rooted by Filipino cultural values. As a 1.5 generation Fil-Am myself, WHO I am impacts HOW I work. You don’t need to be Filipino to work with me, but knowing that these are the values I hold might help you decide whether we are a good fit!

These are the values I hold close to my heart and ones that I do my best to live by.

kapwa

Shared Humanity

katarugan

Justice

kalayaan

Freedom

Education & Background

Dr. Rona’s experiences have paved the way for her to gain the expertise and passion for mind-body health and wellness. In college, she obtained her bachelors in psychology, danced competitively as part of a collegiate hip hop dance team, and performed in folk dances as part of Pilipino Cultural Nights.

She then obtained a Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD), where she completed her dissertation research on integrating Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino Psychology) into westernized psychology approaches and concepts, in order to expand the view of the Fil-Am experience to one that is more holistic and integrative.

Dr. Rona’s post-graduate training includes extensive experiences working in community mental health centers in underserved areas, as well as medical clinics. Her interests thrived in clinical settings including Primary Care Behavioral Health, Pain Clinic, and Gender Clinic.

Throughout this time she also received Yoga Teacher Training from Stanford University’s YogaX program, which focuses on offering yoga in healthcare settings. She has also had the privilege of receiving training from the leading healthcare providers of chronic pain management and chronic conditions.

Today she continues to pursue learnings that involve growing her understanding of mind-body health and wellness, especially as it pertains to BIPOC & AAPI communities.