Developing an Identity: Tran's Story

Hi, I'm Tran!

Joining the team at Calderas Counseling has been a great addition to my life, and I'm very excited to meet you and hear your stories! But first, I thought it would be fair that you know a bit more about me. 

I'm a huge cat person and the mom to three furbabies: Cudi, Puddle, and Zuki. I recently moved back to Houston from Pittsburgh, PA, where I did both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. The city taught me a lot about myself and my independence, especially since it was my first time being away from my parents in my life. Houston taught me about responsibility, parental love, and really amazing food, but it was actually Pittsburgh that taught me to love and embrace my Vietnamese roots, that it's okay to be independent and live life for myself, and to gain confidence in my decisions. Pittsburgh also gave me life-long friends and lessons that definitely made me who I am today, and I viewed providing therapy as other people's versions of my Pittsburgh, which makes me excited to be there and help others just as Pittsburgh has helped me. 

For me, therapy is a very personal journey, and the hardest step was taking that first initial intake and actually going through with it. The thought of baring my soul to another person was scary, especially since I was an only child of immigrants who had a hard time with showing emotions when I was growing up. My childhood was for survival, with every step being a lesson on how to not fall back to the struggles. However, through my own therapy and through my work as a therapist, it became easier to share in therapy and subsequently, be there for someone else as well. My struggles with my identity became a motivation for my career, and I also evolved and learned to be proud of who I am and of my past, history, and future. 

Nowadays, I am proud that I am Vietnamese, that I'm an immigrant, and that I am my parents' child. I love traveling when I get the chance, and when I can't, I love exploring new restaurants and cafes. My favorite cafe in Houston is 7 Leaves Cafe (mung bean milk tea or house coffee are my go-to orders), and my guilty pleasure restaurant is Texas Roadhouse (basic, I know). 

I hope my story has given you the push to start your own therapy, and I'll always be the first one to agree with you that it is a scary process. Thanks for reading more about me, and I hope to see you soon!

Puddle and Zuki

Cudi