Steph Tuazon, LCSW
Who is Hiya Therapy?
Stephanie Tuazon (she/they/siya) is a Pinay/Pilipinx-American therapist (LCSW #84181) seeking to create a healing environment and safer container for those looking to explore their identities, purpose, and authenticity.
They are on unceded Tongva territory (Los Angeles) with parents who immigrated from the Philippines (Tagalog and Kapampangan ancestry). She believes in this time of de-colonization, our mental health is vital to sustain the work we do. Navigating mostly white spaces while balancing familial/cultural values can be challenging and confusing. Experiencing sexual assault or having any of your boundaries pushed beyond your consent is not okay. You are not “crazy.” Spiritual bypassing and limiting yourself to only positive thoughts is problematic. Let’s talk about your shadows and how we can grow with them.
Education and Training
Steph is continuously learning, un-learning,decolonizing, and remembering. Acknowledging that the fields of social work, psychology, and healthcare are rooted in white supremacy, Steph cultivates a very imperfect personal practice with learning Tagalog, community herbalism, kali, dance, tarot, astrology, and participating in mutual aid. But, mostly trying to rest and exist just because.
Steph is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California. They received their Master of Social Welfare from the University of California Los Angeles. She has a Bachelor of Science in Medical Sociology with a minor in Gerontology from Mount St. Mary’s University Los Angeles.
Their interests in health and care led Steph to working as a Clinical Social Worker providing crisis care and support through an acute or emergent hospitalization to the most vulnerable. Steph was recognized by their peers in the organization for embodying Justice. They also worked on the corporate side of healthcare, advocating for health equity and funding for patient centered care by telling stories through data. She was again nominated by her peers for showing values in action.
Steph left large and small organizations to offer support on an intimate individual level as this is what sits with Steph’s heart best. They continue to evolve through professional trainings and personal practices. She’s received formal trainings in Reiki, Mindfulness, Brainspotting, EMDR, Trauma Resiliency Model and currently working towards becoming a sex therapist.
Though Steph has multiple marginalized identities, Steph acknowledges their privilege in being able-bodied, straight passing, having college and graduate degrees, middle income, English speaking, documented, and access to pursue trainings and interests.
Their interests in health and care led Steph to working as a Clinical Social Worker providing crisis care and support through an acute or emergent hospitalization to the most vulnerable. Steph was recognized by their peers in the organization for embodying Justice. They also worked on the corporate side of healthcare, advocating for health equity and funding for patient centered care by telling stories through data. She was again nominated by her peers for showing values in action.
Steph left large and small organizations to offer support on an intimate individual level as this is what sits with Steph’s heart best. They continue to evolve through professional trainings and personal practices. She’s received formal trainings in Reiki, Mindfulness, Brainspotting, EMDR, Trauma Resiliency Model and currently working towards becoming a sex therapist.
Though Steph has multiple marginalized identities, Steph acknowledges their privilege in being able-bodied, straight passing, having college and graduate degrees, middle income, English speaking, documented, and access to pursue trainings and interests.