01/03

nancy denq, LMft

As a Taiwanese-American and bilingual mandarin-speaking licensed marriage and family therapist, Brainspotting, and EMDR practitioner, and registered art therapist based in Pasadena, California, I bring over 6 years of experience working in both community mental health and private practice settings, supporting individuals and couples navigating complex trauma, relationship challenges, depression, and anxiety.

I currently focus my clinical work with those of you who are navigating the emotional weight of growing up in unpredictable or unsafe environments. You might resonate with many of my clients who took on adult roles and responsibilities as children, did not feel “seen,” or felt like they had to push down their feelings to make room for other people’s emotions. You may identify as highly sensitive, struggle with self-doubt or burnout, or experience a general lack of interest in things and aren’t sure why. You may struggle to feel believed about your childhood wounds, especially if your trauma was minimized or dismissed. If you identify with any of these experiences, you’ve come to the right place.

My approach draws from depth psychology, trauma-informed therapy, and body-based approaches to help us look beneath the surface of what you're experiencing. Rather than focusing only on symptom relief, we can explore the deeper emotional patterns, beliefs, relationships, and experiences that have shaped you. Along the way, we may also incorporate practical tools, such as how to manage guilt when setting boundaries and how to navigate conflict in relationships without freezing up.

I also work with couples who genuinely want to understand each other and grow together but find themselves caught in the same painful patterns. I approach couples therapy with compassion for both partners, including those who have learned to protect themselves by shutting down, withdrawing, or avoiding difficult conversations. We’ll work to understand what is happening beneath these patterns while practicing new ways of communicating, staying present, and connecting with one another.

As the eldest daughter of Taiwanese immigrants who grew up between Taiwan and Los Angeles, I have a particular understanding of bicultural identity, family expectations, and the complexities of navigating different cultural worlds. Growing up Christian and later moving toward a more agnostic path, I’ve come to see how immigration trauma, spirituality, and mental health weave together to shape who we are.

If you’re looking for therapy that helps you feel more at home in your body, your relationships, and your life, I’m here to help.