what an honor to meet you.

human first,

therapist second.

Let me guess… You’re reading through several therapy profiles to find someone you think can understand you and what you’ve been through. It’s human nature to look at a person’s professional credentials/qualifications and judge whether you want to work with them.

I’ll share with you my “why.”

For the longest time, I thought I had to absorb the latest and greatest trainings to be the “perfect therapist.” So I spent a lot of time and energy doing so. I still do my fair share of integrating all the techniques and best practices I’ve acquired.

Yet in my work with all my clients, I found the most powerful mechanism of change was the humanistic connection between us and the fact I genuinely care.

Therapy is such an intimate, vulnerable process. Therefore, it was important that you knew a little bit about me as a person and not just a piece of my resume.

Hi, I’m Vy: an introvert, recovering perfectionist, over-functioner, overthinker, workaholic, and “want-to-do-it-all”-er. You know, the kind who strove to win all the awards and excessively do all the things because somehow I thought that was the only way to “prove my worth.”

I struggled with the anxiety of not being “enough” for others and my value weighed heavily on my productivity and performance.

Growing up as an American-born child of non-English speaking Vietnamese immigrants, I juggled two cultures with figuring out how to work hard through school without any guidance, keep things together and up to speed with my peers, and hold a lot inside when I struggled because emotions weren’t ever discussed. That shaped how I see people with a deep understanding that life can be complex.

My hope for you is to understand that we all are always a work in progress AND a masterpiece as is. YOU are worthy exactly how you are. I have not discovered the magic wand that will heal life’s suffering… that is inevitable.

Instead, my goal is to facilitate a space where all parts of you are welcomed, not just the flashy, positive facets many of us want to showcase to the world.

You are enough (even if you don’t think so yet).

I’ve always wanted to be a helper. As a Highly-Sensitive Person, I grew up assuming how deeply I felt emotions and sensitivity towards things were weaknesses. Societal expectations had a way of convincing me I had to be more/less of who I was to be considered “enough.”

Fortunately, I have the opportunity to wake up every day doing what I LOVE and call it a “job.” I get to help really incredible people grow, so I’m glad you are considering me to join you on this human struggle and beauty of life.

With every client, I learn and grow just as much. I enjoy researching new approaches to therapy and topics. My passion for counseling and my love for seeing the beauty in every human allow me to deepen the relationships I have with clients.

I’m enthusiastic because I get to learn about people’s stories and help you discover your strengths so you can have a better relationship with yourself and others. I seriously believe I have the best clients. :)

Enneagram: Type 1

Myers-Briggs: ISFJ

(Not psychometrically valid, but still fun to know!)

Working with me might not always feel easy, but it will always be honest, intentional, and grounded in care.

I strive to embody the therapist I once needed and the one I would choose for myself, someone warm and affirming, but who will also call me out on my BS and gently challenge me when it’s time to grow :)

Over the years, I’ve learned that therapy isn’t just about insight or advice. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably intellectualized everything already, thank you Google, ChatGPT, and Reddit lol.

What really makes it work is the relationship and the space to be real and feel the messy emotions AND take action.

Clients often say they feel both cared for and gently pushed in the ways they need. That balance matters to me and I hope that’s helpful to you.

Vy Tran, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist

  • Texas A&M University - College Station

    • Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling Psychology

    • Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Psychology

    • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology with Honors

  • Texas Woman’s University:

    APA-Accredited Internship

    • Facilitated groups on healing from family trauma, women’s issues, understanding worthiness, and stress management

    • Coordinated outreach projects

    • Supervised, educated, and trained pre-licensed counselors

    Experiences:

    1. Falls Community Hospital and Clinic - Marlin, TX - Practicum Counselor

    2. Telebehavioral Care Program - Bryan, TX and surrounding rural counties - Practicum Counselor

    3. MHMR of Brazos Valley - Life Skills Specialist

    4. Texas A&M University - College Station, TX

      -Counseling and Psychological Services Practicum Counselor

      -HelpLine - QPR Suicide Prevention trained Volunteer & Group Supervisor

      -Career Center Graduate School Advisor

  • Trained in EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for Trauma and Anxiety

    PTSD Treatment - Cognitive Processing Therapy from the National Center for PTSD

    Certified Prepare/Enrich Facilitator for Pre-Marital Counseling/Education

Director of Pawsitivity

Howl-dy! i’m Dogtor Sundae.

education

  • Master’s of Bark Communications

  • Dogtorate in Canine Psychology

mission

  • Put smiles on humans during woof times

  • Comfort my co-therapist when she’s stressed

self-care activities

  • Naps, treats, fetch games, and barking at squirrels

love languages

  • Physical Touch & Gifts (aka belly rubs & plush toys)

your therapist is an imperfect human too :)

  • history.

    Born & raised in Fort Worth, Texas. My parents survived the Vietnam War and started over here with nothing, which still blows my mind. I’m the youngest of four but definitely have eldest daughter energy, lol. I’ve always loved learning and it was my whole personality for a while. Still kind of is. I graduated Valedictorian, figured my way through college as a first-gen student, and somehow stayed at Texas A&M for nine years (Gig ’em, Aggies!). Now I get to do what I dreamed of… helping people become the favorite version of themselves. How stinking cool is that.

  • enjoyments.

    I love traveling and eating, imo two of life’s greatest joys. It’s incredible to experience the world with a sense of wonder again. Fave foods: sushi, Taki’s, mango-habanero wings, pad kee mao, anything with avocado, and ice cream. Autumn is where I shine and recover from summer seasonal depression lol. The mosquitos finally stop feasting on me and the weather doesn’t make me irrationally grumpy. I’m big on group fitness & strength training but also love skincare, lazy rot days, and calling it “wellness.” Currently in my grandma hobby & millennial crisis era: baking, portrait photography, gardening, and signing up for races I didn’t prepare for.

  • ideal regular day.

    It starts with a slow morning with coffee, eating my mom’s leftover food, and playing fetch with my cavapoo. I’d probably make a to-do list that feels never ending, try to check something off so I don’t feel guilty, get my steps in, scroll TikTok for “educational purposes,” and fall into a rabbit hole researching something random I’m hyperfixated on in the moment while keeping ten unrelated tabs open. My dream day? I’d be resting in a clean, well-decorated, air-conditioned space with an ocean view and in silence with nobody disrupting my peace lol.

  • I am lucky to cross paths with incredible people who trust me to grow with them.

  • I am grateful for each of my clients and am touched by how resilient they are.

  • I am honored you considered me to join you on your healing journey.

  • Have you carried deep wounds from childhood? Maybe you grew up with emotionally unavailable or addicted parents, survived abuse, neglect, or constant pressure to succeed as a child of immigrants. Those early experiences often shape how we cope as adults which fuels anxiety, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or struggles with boundaries.

    I help high-achieving professionals, grad students, teachers, and healthcare workers heal from those roots so they can feel whole, confident, and in control of their lives.

  • Whether it’s your first session or your 60th, my goal is for you to leave therapy with more peace and clarity. Starting therapy takes courage. It’s hard to face old wounds and open up.

    I value making this space warm, productive, and trauma-informed. I’m always learning and reflecting to ensure care that’s genuine and effective. If you’re ready to make real change, let’s begin.

  • I believe real change starts when you feel fully accepted.

    No fixing, no judgment, just space to be real.

    Imagine this:

    1. What if you felt safe enough to finally share what you’ve kept buried?

    2. What if therapy felt like a genuine connection, not a transaction?

    3. What if your therapist welcomed feedback and helped you see patterns in how you think, feel, and relate?

    4. What if you had the support to move past surface-level self-care into lasting change?

    That’s the kind of work I do. Real, honest, transformative.

    How do you think change happens?

i’m passionate about…