Huong Diep, PsyD, ABPP
pronounced Hương Diệp in Vietnamese
or Huong like Hong Kong
Diep like Johnny Depp
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Short Version:
Dr. Diep is a bilingual (English/Spanish) board-certified psychologist specializing in global mental health utilizing a culturally sensitive, trauma-informed model that promotes strength and resiliency. She graduated from UCLA and the University of Denver with an emphasis in International Disaster Psychology. Dr. Diep served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the rural mountains of Peru and has lived, worked, and traveled to over 40 countries. She is passionate about the intersection of language, gender, and culture and providing gender-affirming care to the LGBTQ+ community.
Long Version:
I grew up in an immigrant household in Orange County, California. I quickly learned to navigate two worlds: my home where I spoke Vietnamese and was expected to abide by a specific set of norms and cultural expectations, and my American world at school, where I had a completely different set of expectations to fit in with my peers. Little did I know then that those experiences would be the breeding ground of building skillsets such as empathy, keen observation, and an insatiable curiosity to learn about others.
My parents encouraged me to pursue a career as a medical doctor because they saw medicine as a solid career choice. Luckily, I quickly discovered that I did not like the sight of blood while volunteering at a hospital! I explored different career paths in public health, nutrition, humanitarian work, and grass-roots community development.
However, the common denominator has always been my interest in people and culture. I am passionate about using both my personal and professional experiences to help others become their best selves and to reduce the unfortunate stigma of mental health.
My Approach:
Since 2007, I have had the fortune of pursuing my passions in the mental health field by working in schools, universities, hospitals, non-profits, and numerous community mental health centers around the world. I work from an evidence-based, culturally-competent, social-justice, and trauma-informed lens. I am passionate about helping clients understand the potential impact of intergenerational trauma, racial trauma and outdated societal norms. Together, we begin to heal.
I see myself as a bridge to help (re)connect individuals, couples, and families to each other, and their communities.
My Mission Statement:
To help others find their place in the world, connect to others, and discover their inner truth.
I also deeply resonate with the Toni Morrison quote, “When you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else.”
Next Steps:
Did something pique your interest? Would you like to know more? Let’s connect and see if we would be a good fit.