Somakhanden Park, LMFT and LCPC | Owner of WMT
What I Bring Into Therapy
I am made up of many parts. I am the child of Cambodian refugees who survived the Khmer Rouge, carrying the legacy of family members lost to the Cambodian genocide before I was born. I am the youngest of three, a first-generation college graduate, and a millennial raised in Stockton, California, now rooted in Reno.
I am a heterosexual cisgender woman in a biracial marriage, and a mother to one child, three dogs, and one cat. I am often perceived as ethnically ambiguous. I am a therapist—and also so much more.
For me, identity isn’t something abstract—it’s something lived, felt, and continually evolving. It can be beautiful, complicated, and, at times, overwhelming to hold all the different parts of who we are while also navigating relationships, culture, family expectations, purpose, and the world around us.
My lived experiences are not separate from who I am—they are foundational. And I imagine you may carry many intersecting parts of yourself as well.
I also recognize that finding the right therapist can feel vulnerable and daunting. From one human to another, I am committed to creating a space that is safe, compassionate, and empowering—while also inviting growth and gentle challenge.
Since beginning my psychotherapy career in 2016, my work—both professionally and personally—has grown and evolved in meaningful ways. It is grounded in intergenerational family systems, cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, and a social justice lens. More than anything, I strive to show up in a way that is culturally affirming and deeply respectful of your unique story.
You don’t have to navigate it all alone.
The Person Behind the Therapist
I was born and raised in Stockton, California, in a culturally diverse community where I was surrounded by and deeply influenced by Filipino, Chinese, Hmong, Vietnamese, Korean, and Mexican families. Growing up in this environment shaped how I came to understand family, connection, and the complexity of navigating multiple cultural worlds.
Like many people, my path into this work wasn’t exactly linear. I started out studying biology at California State University, Stanislaus—feeling curious and open, but not quite sure where I’d land.
During that time, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Accra, Ghana, where I interned at the Accra Zoo and worked with endangered primates through the West African Primate Conservation Action program. At the time, I thought I was deepening my passion for working with animals—but that experience stayed with me for different reasons. It sparked a deeper curiosity about behavior, healing, and the quiet but powerful impact of connection—things I didn’t yet have the language for, but could feel were meaningful.
When I returned home, something had shifted. I changed my focus to psychology, and in my final semester, I was introduced to the world of counseling. I remember having a very clear moment of this is it. Supporting others in strengthening their relationships—not only with others, but within themselves—became my “why.”
After earning my B.A. in Psychology in 2015, I spent time working and volunteering in youth shelters, adult day centers, and various therapy settings. These experiences grounded me in community care and shaped how I understand support, resilience, and relationships. I later earned my M.S. in Counseling Psychology from California State University, Bakersfield in 2019, and have continued growing into this work ever since.
Outside of being a therapist, I’m intentional about creating space for my own care and balance—including being on the other side of the therapy room myself. You can often find me tending to my indoor plants, spending time with my three dogs and one cat, scouting the best eateries and parks with my husband and son, planning future trips and concerts, trying to keep up with my nephews' and nieces’ slang, or rewatching comfort shows like The Good Place, Modern Family, and Boy Meets World.