Hi, I’m Mandy

My name is Mandy Lin (she/her). I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California. I am Chinese-American, a child of immigrants, and a first-gen college student. I have been practicing since 2019 in various settings, such as eating disorder or addiction treatment centers from the residential level of care to outpatient and research labs. I obtained my dual masters degrees (M.S.Ed., M.Phil.Ed.) in counseling and mental health services and professional counseling from the University of Pennsylvania. I was born and raised in NYC and attribute my curiosity for life and tenacity to the diverse experiences and fast paced environment I was exposed to from childhood into young adulthood. In my personal time, I enjoy cuddling with my dog, getting lost in a thriller, or going down a rabbit hole in superhero lore.

My Approach

I like to explore how early experiences inform the way we react to the world today. By increasing awareness into how the past is contributing to present issues, we can begin to help you respond in ways more aligned to a life you truly value. I am often described as soft and gentle, yet firm and blunt when needed. I tend to get down to the underlying issues at a pace that is non-debilitating and fosters growth. In the beginning, I prioritize listening and take more time to get to know you. As we develop trust and comfort in the therapeutic relationship, I can be more direct and will challenge you to venture outside of your comfort zone.

Modalities I commonly use:

Psychodynamic
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
Flash Technique (FT)
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
Strength-Based
Culturally sensitive
Humanistic

Specialties

Trauma (PTSD, c-PTSD)

“Trauma is not what happened to you, it's what happened inside of you as a result of what happened to you.” - Dr. Gabor Maté

You might have asked yourself, why do I keep doing the same problematic thing over and over again despite knowing how irrational it is? Why am I attracted to the same toxic and unavailable person despite knowing they are incompatible? If you’re noticing there are ingrained reactions, patterns of behavior, problematic interpersonal relationships that seem to be dictating your life, it’s time to take a deeper look into what contributed to these mechanisms driving the person you are today and how to become unstuck from them.

Relationship with Food & Body

Whether it is disordered eating or an eating disorder, I have been working with this population since 2017. When unhelpful relationships with food and body are left to its own devices for too long, the consequences can be devastating. I operate from a Health at Every Size® (HAES®) approach. My work has taught me it is never just about the food or the body.

Signs of an unhelpful relationship with food and body include:

  • Having persistent thoughts related to food content and intake

  • Avoidance of certain foods despite having no allergies and a desire for the food

  • Having an inflated or deflated sense of self-worth depending on your appearance or what you ate

  • Avoidance of social or important events due to feeling bad about your body or fear of weight gain

This list is not exhaustive.

If you’re relating to any of the points above or questioning your relationship with food and your body, it might be worth reaching out.

Substance Use/Addiction

Often times, the “real” issues did not begin with the substance use/addiction and we are here to work through that. Maintaining sobriety is a delicate balance of attacking the present, while gaining insight how the underlying issues will come up to sabotage current efforts. At the same time, it is important to identify the values you want your life to move towards to use as a guiding light as you move through your recovery program.

Other areas of focus

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Self-esteem

  • Children of Immigrants

  • BIPOC

  • LGBTQIA+

  • First-generation