Phuong Truong, MA, MFTI # 59351
Under the supervision of Carol Hadlock, LMFT #15315

Credentials:
   Phuong Truong is currently a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern at Process Therapy Institute. She received her Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology at the University of San Francisco. Her undergraduate degree was completed at San Francisco State University. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with special emphasis in Human Sexuality and Child Development.

Work Experience and Interests:

&bull Teenagers
   Phuong has experience working with adolescents in high school, clinic and community settings. She understands the struggles of teenagers and has worked closely with high risk youth. Her experience includes working with foster kids and their families in intense crisis situations. She formerly performed case management services for EMQ Families First, working solely with Level 14 youth. She also worked as a school counselor at Branham and Del Mar High School while interning at the Teen and Family Counseling Center. Phuong is dedicated to educating and empowering youth for personal and social development.

Phuong has counseled adolescents on the following issues:
Substance Abuse/ Curiosity with Drugs/Alcohol
Self Harm/ Depression
Gang Involvement and Activities
Parental Loss (Due to unexpected illness, accident and murder)
Stress/ Pressure to perform well in school/sports
Peer Issues: Bullying, Peer Pressure, Rejection, Teasing
Teen Relationships: Sex, Boundary Setting
Cultural Issues within the Family (Teen is a first generation American)
Communication and Trust Issues with Parents
Divorce/ Conflict between parents
Sibling Issues
Homosexuality (Curiosity or confusion with sexual identity)
Abuse and/or Domestic Violence
Self Esteem
Beauty/Body Issues
Academic Struggles
College/Career Counseling
Sex/ Sex education/ information on STI's, HIV and STD's
Adoption
Living with a Parent who has Substance Abuse/Alcohol Addiction
Prostitution
Teen Pregnancy and Parenting
Legal Issues (defiant behavior: stealing, damaging property)

&bull Couples
   Phuong has worked with couples in a clinic and community setting. She has a profound interest in performing work with couples and collecting data for her personal research studies. Her experience includes assessing couples for compatibility, identifying partners' responses to one another in stressful or challenging situations and teaching communication tools. Tools include teaching couples how to communicate their thoughts, feelings and individual needs to their partner in a variety of situations and environments.

Issues that may be addressed in Couples Counseling include:
Trust
Sex
In-Laws/Family Issues
Finances
Children/Parenting
Power Struggle/Gender Roles
Secrets
Infidelity
Boundary Setting
Economic Abuse
Verbal/Emotional Abuse
Jealousy/Possessiveness
Religion/ Beliefs
Comfort in Relationship
Fear of Conflict/ Fear of the Unknown
Grudge Holding/Revenge/ Retaliation
Communication Styles
Recreating Passion

&bull Families
   Phuong has performed family counseling in mostly clinic settings. What she has discovered is that NO FAMILIES ARE ALIKE! However, many themes are similar and every family comes to recognize and address their family issues in a way that works for them. Phuong has seen the challenges that take place in balancing family responsibilities in addition to outside interests. She is committed to inviting families to heal and empower themselves in order to obtain and maintain positive relationships.

Phuong has had the privilege of counseling very unique families. Family issues may include:
Divorce/Blended Families
Separated Families
Single Parent Families
Families with Special Needs Members
Alcohol/Substance Abuse in Family Members
Parentified Children
Gay/Lesbian/Transgender Issues in the family
Sexual Molestation/Rape/Incest
Military Families
Incarceration
Families who travel frequently
Families with challenging teens/children
Families Coping with Death
Gang Families/Mafia/Religious Groups or Affiliations
Families with Time-Consuming Businesses
Culturally Diverse Families

&bull Children
   Phuong has experience working with children in a variety of settings. She enjoys using play therapy, sand tray and art therapy when working with young children in a clinical site. Phuong enjoys working with children and inviting them to build confidence, improve their communication skills and take care of themselves emotionally.

Issues with Children may include:
ADD/ADHD
Behavioral Issues
Defiance
Regression
Sibling Conflicts
Shyness
Social Adaptiveness
Amidst Parental Separation/Divorce
Instability
Special Needs
Academic Performance
Motivation
Peer Problems
Anger Outbursts/Tantrums
Self Esteem
Bullying
Sexual Molestation/Rape
Video Game/Internet Addiction
Pressure to perform in sports/school
Parent or Sibling Death/Illness
Trauma/PTSD

   Phuong is an eclectic therapist and will use different interventions and therapeutic models that best fits the client's situation, needs and/or request. She values the therapeutic relationship and building trust and rapport with her clients above all else. Please contact her by phone or email to schedule an appointment.

Office: (408) 358-2218 ext: 435
Mobile: (408) 623-2845
Email: phuong@processes.org