Fresno, California

(559) 554-1628

As a licensed mental health therapist, I specialize in working with women on various aspects of their personal journeys. Together, we can address stress, burnout, past wounds, childhood trauma, cultural issues, and relationship concerns. Holistic therapy provides you with the support you need to navigate challenges, find a renewed sense of self, and heal.

i'm Joanne Lai

Healing is a holistic process. In order to support your lasting growth, I’ll involve your whole self in our work together, including your multiple parts, identities, and selves.

To truly experience wholeness, it is essential to invite and embrace every aspect of yourself, bringing her into present awareness. Through embodiment practices and psychotherapeutic tools, I’ll guide you on a profound journey of deep exploration and expansion into all the layers of your being.

I use somatic techniques to integrate the mind-body connection in therapy. Together, we’ll listen to your body’s wisdom and follow her lead on where we need to go in session and what you need. I’ll tailor each session based on your present needs, what comes up for you as we explore, and your treatment goals.

In my journey through life, I came to a realization: It was easy to navigate relationships and make choices that seemed right on the surface, but deep down, I felt disconnected. I couldn't truly feel what I wanted or needed. I was living a life that looked good on paper, but I wasn't truly connected to my own desires.

External expectations weighed heavily on me. The pressure to succeed and meet societal standards (especially as an immigrant with heaps of unintegrated baggage) led me down a path that met everyone's expectations but my own. I found myself in a marriage that wasn't going well, prioritizing paths that didn't align with my true self, and suffocating in an identity I wore like a costume. It became clear that I needed to break free from these expectations and listen to something other than my head.

Sure enough, the universe had some plans for this over-thinker: a literal concussion that rocked my world. It was during this pivotal moment that I was (not so gently) guided to get out of my own head and reconnect with my body. 

how I got out of my own head and out of my own way

Through working with various practitioners and giving myself the space to explore without judgment, I began to understand myself on a deeper level. Somatic-oriented therapies became an anchor for me, allowing me to bridge the gap between my mind and body. It was here that I found my own voice, my own thoughts, and a sense of healing that went beyond words. I knew this was that path I wanted to follow for my career – and so I did.

Today, I find myself in a place of profound transformation. I no longer push through life, but instead have a toolkit of holistic techniques to support myself and my clients.

In relationships, I now experience deeper connections. I am able to truly feel my own emotions and needs, no longer losing myself in the needs of others. I exist as an individual within the relationship, with a renewed sense of self. I am present with myself. 

It is through my own personal journey of healing and discovery that I am inspired to guide others through holistic therapy. I invite you to join me on a transformative path where we embrace embodiment, connect mind and body, and unlock the wisdom that lies within.

Together, we can explore the depths of your being, embrace your true self, and create a life you love.