My name is Theresa Tan, and I am an early career psychologist, working both in-person in Oakland and virtually. In my short time in private practice, I am discovering new ways of being with child and adult patients that I couldn’t quite do in training. I’m also confirming my passions that were previously ignited. For example, I continue to delight in play therapy and sand tray and sandplay therapy, especially with children ages 4-6. What’s new to me is how much I especially enjoy working with highly sensitive adults. As I further expand and clear the “plumbing” in my own internal world, I find my patients are similarly more able to drop into their own worlds; I then feel out how I can support and explore their worlds with them. 

I also wrote, illustrated, and published my first children’s book, The Yet Pet. Using my kindergarten teaching background, I wanted to illustrate to children how they could work through struggles—while facing the pain that can come with those struggles—to build resilience. I plan to run a children’s therapy group using this book to help children with perseverance, frustration tolerance, and emotional awareness.

Please see drtheresatan.com for more on my practice and theyetpet.com for a free PDF of my children’s book. I hope to connect with more of you in the NCSPP community soon.