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Aloha! My name is Romana Cheang. I'm a licensed LMFT in the state of California and Illinois. I came to the United States during my elementary school years and was raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. I moved to Southern California for graduate school, growth & exploration. I have experience collaborating with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, stress & burnout, phase of life issues, adjustment issues related to life transitions, culture and immigration.
My approach
I would describe my therapeutic style as strength-based, collaborative, and insight-focused. I tend to explain things with countless metaphors. Working together, I want to spend more time getting to know you and uncover “tangled up” things in life. I listen, and I find patterns. The goal is to assist you in gaining insight and learning strategies so you can live a more fulfilling life.
My focus
I have experience collaborating with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, stress & burnout, phase of life issues, Asian & Asian American mental health, adjustment issues with life transitions, immigrant-related experiences.
My communication style
I learned that I am collaborative and reflective. I ask clarifying questions with the goal to gain a deeper understanding of you. I see humor in things. I use many metaphors and analogies when I explain things.
My journey to mental healthcare
My journey of becoming a therapist dates back to my teenage-hood where I had difficulty managing my emotions. Why was I so tense? Why do I feel things and pretend it doesn’t exist? How come anger arise, then tears follow? This led me to a path of curiosity about my inner process. I was also fascinated with what draws us closer or farther as people. Pursuing Psychology and Mental Health allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of myself. It answered many “why” questions. I get to expand my feelings-vocabulary. I practice the meaning of holding, embracing, and letting go. Thus, it brings me joy to do the same for those who want to look within.
My goals for you
I believe a goal is the direction a person is heading towards. I want to assist you in understanding where you are in the present moment, what are your struggles, and where do you want to be in the near future? What enhancements do you want in life? What do you need to get there? What can we do together to make your time valuable?
My first session with you
In a general sense, a first session is the Get-to-Know-You session. And therapy is like verbal “time traveling” - Talking about the past, present, and future. Therapists are expected to ask questions and learn about the other person. The other person (the client) is encouraged to talk/share/express themselves. I also believe in discovery in the present moment. It’s helpful to pause any expectations and allow the therapy process to unfold. I find myself discovering more about the other person when the theme is non-goal-directed. Lastly, the therapist-client compatibility is very important. In the initial phase of therapy, ask yourself, Do I feel listened to? Does my therapist understand me? Is my therapist genuinely curious about me? Do I feel comfortable expressing myself? Are we a good fit to work with each other?
