About
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Her Story
A child of the Gen X generation, Dr. Mimi grew up as an Asian American immigrant bisexual cisgender woman in the late 80s/early 90s, a refugee from Vietnam with Chinese and Vietnamese ethnic roots, so she spoke 3 languages and grew up with 3 cultures and didn't fit in anywhere. Her family started struggled to create a life for themselves in the U.S. so it was challenging for Dr. Mimi to figure out her intersectional identities as a queer person of color.
Dr. Mimi went to college to get a bachelor's degree in Psychology and minor in Women's Studies because she was fascinated by human psychology and social issues and wanted to help others. And through her own self-reflection and help-seeking, she found the help of a bi+ affirmative therapist who connected her to a mentor who was also a bisexual woman of color. And this helped Dr. Mimi grow her strength and confidence as a person which then helped her in turn become a community leader, and she has never stopped helping people since, whether that be through her clinical work, teaching, training, or community activism. |
Clinical Work
Dr. Mimi started working in the mental health field over 20 years ago as a counselor for children and adults with special needs. Licensed as a psychologist in California since 2008, she has worked primarily in community mental health and university counseling center settings due to her passion to serve the young and underserved. In 2023, Dr. Mimi left her full-time job and launched her private practice, and is now the owner of Living in Color Therapy which offers psychotherapy to individuals and couples, specializing in women's issues, LGBTQIA+ issues, ethnic/cultural issues, queer and trans people of color, Asian Americans, social anxiety and social dissatisfaction, family conflicts, and body image. She also works as the Program Coordinator of the LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy Center at Airport Marina Counseling Service (AMCS) and has connected countless bi+ folx to psychotherapists through her Bi-Affirmative Therapist Referral List (mostly Southern California).
Dr. Mimi started working in the mental health field over 20 years ago as a counselor for children and adults with special needs. Licensed as a psychologist in California since 2008, she has worked primarily in community mental health and university counseling center settings due to her passion to serve the young and underserved. In 2023, Dr. Mimi left her full-time job and launched her private practice, and is now the owner of Living in Color Therapy which offers psychotherapy to individuals and couples, specializing in women's issues, LGBTQIA+ issues, ethnic/cultural issues, queer and trans people of color, Asian Americans, social anxiety and social dissatisfaction, family conflicts, and body image. She also works as the Program Coordinator of the LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy Center at Airport Marina Counseling Service (AMCS) and has connected countless bi+ folx to psychotherapists through her Bi-Affirmative Therapist Referral List (mostly Southern California).
Teaching/Training
As a life-long learner, Dr. Mimi loves giving back as an educator and clinical supervisor to help train the next generation of therapists. She has provided clinical supervision to masters- and doctoral-level therapists in training for over 15 years and currently work as the Program Coordinator of the LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy Center at Airport Marina Counseling Service. Dr. Mimi is currently a professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at the University of Southern California (USC) Rossier School of Education, and has been an instructor at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels, as well as an instructor for continuing education courses for working professionals. She founded and directed the Safe Zone program at Cal State LA from 2009-2011 and has spoken at countless organizations, universities, and conferences globally. In 2023, Dr. Mimi piloted a virtual monthly bi+ affirmative therapist consultation group and in 2024 revamped it as a virtual biweekly LGBTQ therapist consultation group open to all LGBTQ therapists nationwide.
As a life-long learner, Dr. Mimi loves giving back as an educator and clinical supervisor to help train the next generation of therapists. She has provided clinical supervision to masters- and doctoral-level therapists in training for over 15 years and currently work as the Program Coordinator of the LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy Center at Airport Marina Counseling Service. Dr. Mimi is currently a professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at the University of Southern California (USC) Rossier School of Education, and has been an instructor at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels, as well as an instructor for continuing education courses for working professionals. She founded and directed the Safe Zone program at Cal State LA from 2009-2011 and has spoken at countless organizations, universities, and conferences globally. In 2023, Dr. Mimi piloted a virtual monthly bi+ affirmative therapist consultation group and in 2024 revamped it as a virtual biweekly LGBTQ therapist consultation group open to all LGBTQ therapists nationwide.
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Community Activism
Outside the office, Dr. Mimi's LGBTQ+ community leadership spans over two decades, including co-founding the Los Angeles Bi+ Task Force (LABTF) in 2008, amBi (LA's Bisexual Social Community) in 2006, and Fluid at UCLA in 1999, and earning a seat at the groundbreaking White House Bisexual Community Roundtable in 2013 and the Federal Bisexual Health Policy Roundtable in 2022. Through her work with LABTF, she spearheaded the 2014 Bisexual/Pansexual/Fluid Community Needs Assessment of Greater Los Angeles and her mental health policy recommendations were documented in the 2016 Invisible Majority: Disparities Facing Bisexual People and How to Remedy Them report. In 2008 Dr. Mimi rallied the first bi+ contingent at the LA Pride Parade and was featured in the historical exhibit "Lesbians to Watch Out For: 90's Queer L.A. Activism" shown at Plummer Park (2017) and Cal State LA (2019). She has served as a Board Member of the South Bay LGBT Center in Torrance and co-founded, advised, or volunteered with numerous API organizations, including API Equality - LA , AQWA (Asian/Pacific Islander Queer Women/Transgender Activists), and 'Ohana House/Asian Pacific Islanders for Human Rights. In 2009 Dr. Mimi actively joined the fight for marriage equality by participating in street outreach and phone banking against Prop 8 in California. |
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Education
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Alliant International University (AIU), Los Angeles, 2006
M.A. in Clinical Psychology, AIU, Los Angeles and San Diego, 2004
B.A. in Psychology with Minor in Women's Studies, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 1999
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Alliant International University (AIU), Los Angeles, 2006
M.A. in Clinical Psychology, AIU, Los Angeles and San Diego, 2004
B.A. in Psychology with Minor in Women's Studies, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 1999
Professional Affiliations
Los Angeles County Psychological Association, Member (2018 - Present), Diversity Task Force Member (2020-2021) and Diversity Committee Member (2020 - Present)
South Bay LGBT Center, Board Member (2015-2017)
Los Angeles Bi+ Task Force, Co-Founder & Board Member (2008 - Present)
American Psychological Association, Division 44 Member (2004 - Present)
Los Angeles County Psychological Association, Member (2018 - Present), Diversity Task Force Member (2020-2021) and Diversity Committee Member (2020 - Present)
South Bay LGBT Center, Board Member (2015-2017)
Los Angeles Bi+ Task Force, Co-Founder & Board Member (2008 - Present)
American Psychological Association, Division 44 Member (2004 - Present)
Awards
Live a Life of Purpose Award, Loyola Marymount University (LMU), Division of Student Affairs, 2023
Lavender Leader Award, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) LGBTQ Campus Resource Center, 2021
Student Support and Service Award, LMU Asian American & Pacific Islander Faculty & Staff Association, 2021
Hidden Hero Award, LMU CSJ Center for Reconciliation and Justice, 2019
Lifetime Leadership Award, LABTF, 2016
Community Impact Award for "Always Our Children" panel, Jesuit Association of Student Personnel Administrators (JASPA), 2015
Gender & Sexuality Resource Center Appreciation Award, California State University, Los Angeles, 2011
Significant Contributions to the LGBT Community - Honorable Mention, AIU Connell Persico Scholarship, 2006
Outstanding LGBT Volunteer Award, UCLA LGBTQ Campus Resource Center, 2000
Live a Life of Purpose Award, Loyola Marymount University (LMU), Division of Student Affairs, 2023
Lavender Leader Award, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) LGBTQ Campus Resource Center, 2021
Student Support and Service Award, LMU Asian American & Pacific Islander Faculty & Staff Association, 2021
Hidden Hero Award, LMU CSJ Center for Reconciliation and Justice, 2019
Lifetime Leadership Award, LABTF, 2016
Community Impact Award for "Always Our Children" panel, Jesuit Association of Student Personnel Administrators (JASPA), 2015
Gender & Sexuality Resource Center Appreciation Award, California State University, Los Angeles, 2011
Significant Contributions to the LGBT Community - Honorable Mention, AIU Connell Persico Scholarship, 2006
Outstanding LGBT Volunteer Award, UCLA LGBTQ Campus Resource Center, 2000
Keynote Speeches
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) LGBTQI+ Behavioral Health Summit, 2024
SAMHSA Pride Month Speaker, 2023
AMCS Spring into Well-Being Celebration, 2022
UCLA Lavender Graduation, 2021
LMU Lavender Graduation, 2021
WeHo Bi Pride, 2019
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) South Bay “Out of the Darkness” Campus Walk, 2019
Alliant International University, Los Angeles Commencement, 2006
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) LGBTQI+ Behavioral Health Summit, 2024
SAMHSA Pride Month Speaker, 2023
AMCS Spring into Well-Being Celebration, 2022
UCLA Lavender Graduation, 2021
LMU Lavender Graduation, 2021
WeHo Bi Pride, 2019
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) South Bay “Out of the Darkness” Campus Walk, 2019
Alliant International University, Los Angeles Commencement, 2006