Psychotherapy & Counseling

With all the external demands we are pressured to address, there is oftentimes very little space left to examine the impact these create in one’s internal life. What happens within ourselves is often ignored. Attunement to internal processes is equally important as attention given to external pressures. Our response to both external and internal needs, how we end up navigating our relationships – these create a complex web of personal meanings that consciously or unconsciously inform what we value, how we experience our emotional lives, and ultimately how these meanings translate to the life choices and decisions we make.

In my work with you, I create a safe space for you to explore your internal processes, to talk about difficult things or issues you feel the need to give space to and to work through. I will listen for and honor what is important to you, what pains you, what your felt needs are. I will listen to all parts of you, even when they are silent or in conflict with other parts, and invite you to notice them with me. Together, we can explore what they could mean for you and how these meanings could be facilitating or holding you back from having satisfying relationships both with others and with yourself, from reaching your goals, and from experiencing fulfillment in your life choices.

Throughout our sessions, you may struggle as you face tensions in your web of meanings, network of relationships, and life stressors. I will be committed in journeying and collaborating with you in exploring how you might experience self-expansion in ways that encourage your overall well-being.

I believe in psychotherapy and counseling that essentially anchors itself in compassionate accompaniment. I have worked with religious priests, brothers, sisters and lay people who struggle to recover from the devastating effects of childhood abuse (sexual, physical, emotional and spiritual) for the past 12 years with the basic goal of accompanying them individually in moving from being a "victim, to survivor and to being empowered" individuals. I use the framework of Judith Herman, M.D. in managing trauma victims, ensuring that the important stages, e.g. providing for safety, allowing space for their stories and feelings expression through art work, journal writing, grief and loss work, inner child healing work; learning processes to identify , own and utilize inner and external resources and learning life skills, to reframe past life experiences and self concepts and to be empowered to make free choices; to reconnect oneself to life giving forces gently into their present life concerns and goals, and relationships.

I also provide psychological testing for those in initial formation to identify psychological strengths and areas of growth towards religious life; for those showing clinical symptoms to plan for counseling goals, psychotherapeutic interventions; and those preparing for vocation discernment.

A good number of my clients describe themselves as “overthinkers.” They mention words like “overwhelmed,” “hopeless,” or “helpless.” Some communicate they want “more” out of life. They may be experiencing anger, guilt, lack of joy, work or family-related problems, life changes, loss, or even existential issues. Clinically, they may have symptoms consistent with depression and anxiety. I work with the client by being present and listening to them. I listen to understand. What I particularly try to understand are the thoughts or personal narratives that dominate how the client is living their life. I explore with them how the thoughts may be affecting their emotions, their physiology, and their behaviors. Often, these thoughts lead to rigid ways of dealing with situations, with others, and, most importantly, with themselves. Transitioning to a more flexible, intentional, and less reactive way of living requires not just teaching the client certain skills but it requires the client to learn self-compassion and acceptance. This is usually a key moment in therapy. As part of the process of understanding the client and to deal with any resistance they may have to making better choices for themselves, we will explore the client’s past including key life events and significant relationships. The approaches that I currently apply are influenced by Reality Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. But, how therapy unfolds with each client is unique as it is a creative process involving unique individuals.

Understanding your story is one of the most courageous endeavors possible in the human lifetime. The more we get to know ourselves, the more we find likeable facets and favored strengths. Yet, we also stumble upon characteristics, trauma, and symptoms that we don’t quite like and, maybe, prefer to keep locked in a closet. In the relational space of psychotherapy, I invite you to allow all of those nuances to join us. Together, we can learn about their roles in your story.

With the help of depth psychology and a systems perspective, I venture to create a safe space for the exploration of symptoms, remembered dreams, fears and hopes for your future. By developing self-awareness and introducing changes to your status quo, your latent problem-solving and healing capacities will join your life’s cast of characters. As we work together in facilitating your recovery process, I also encourage you to allow any thoughts and feelings about our collaboration to surface as these may be valuable materials to deepen our understanding of your present attachment dynamics. Since I, too, am engaged in the relational space, you will undoubtedly and unexpectedly teach me things. That clients teach their psychotherapists, as well, is one of the most humbling joys of the profession.

Individuals and couples, no matter where you land in the spectrum of sexuality, I look forward to witnessing your stories unfold and to accompanying you as you write new ones.

My approach to clinical work is deeply informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) while integrating perspectives from other modalities such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Interpersonal Process Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. I also make use of interventions drawn from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Brief Dynamic Therapy. My competencies in these treatment approaches, however, don’t take away from my conviction that you, the client, are ultimately the expert in your own life. I consider my role in our therapeutic work as twofold: First, to help you create the space to be compassionately curious about what causes your suffering and blocks you from the life you deeply desire; and second, to help you move towards greater freedom to live in a richly meaningful way, doing what truly matters.

Healing from psychological and spiritual suffering begins with the compassionate acceptance of what is. This includes what is within and outside us. This is the initial and often the hardest step. Our tendency is to be harsh towards ourselves and rush to judge and change, which may end up causing more harm. All forms of psychological or spiritual accompaniment must begin by establishing a space wherein what is can be described, accepted, and sometimes, even honored. As a trained psychotherapist and spiritual director, I am constantly reminded of the need to create this space through openness, curiosity, and compassion. Creating this space with clients has tremendous therapeutic value. I have seen its positive impact in my experience of working with adult clients who come with a range of presenting concerns including anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, trauma, history of adverse childhood experiences, grief, compulsive behavior, and sexual identity challenges. As a Jesuit priest, I am also keen on tracing the movements of grace in each person’s struggle. I have realized that the clients’ most pressing issues provide vital clues to what they deeply desire and cherish. By clarifying and committing to their values, i.e. living closer to what truly matters to them, clients can move towards healing, greater freedom, and empowerment.

I accompany seminarians, priests, and religious who are constantly deciding to live out the values of their vocation. This doesn’t come without internal struggles whenever the transcendental values are palpably inconsistent with personal needs arising from one’s concrete developmental history. The capacity for authentic freedom becomes limited resulting to difficulties in the ministerial life; and problematic behaviors related to the vows/promises of poverty, obedience, and celibate chastity.

My approach of accompaniment is psychodynamic psychotherapy. I explore with the client his/her expectations and goals of the therapeutic relationship. The succeeding sessions aim to bring into the awareness of the client’s own psychodynamics through the memories of past experiences, implicit in the recent patterns of human relationships within the context of the consecrated life. Insight is very elusive and it takes some time to crystallize in one’s consciousness to make the discerned choices.

Accompanying couples with compassion, clarity, and care—especially when pain gets in the way

Sometimes, partners drift—not because love is gone, but because pain has built walls around it. Old wounds awaken protectors that push, pull, or retreat in an effort to keep the heart safe. Words become sharp, silence grows heavy, and connection feels distant making intimacy feel risky and vulnerable. Yet beneath the defenses, something tender remains: a longing to be seen, heard, and held.

In my work with couples, I hold space for the quiet ache that lives between two people who may feel lost in the relationship, disconnected from the warmth they once shared, and in pain from repeated misunderstandings or unmet needs. My approach is gentle, trauma-informed, and rooted in deep respect for each person's inner experience. I help each partner explore the parts within—those that protect and those that are hurting—to foster safety, rebuild trust, and support healing. Together, we create space to meet vulnerability with kindness and allow attachment wounds to be seen and soothed. And I offer practical tools to repair ruptures, deepen intimacy, and strengthen the foundation of the relationship. Whether you're holding on, letting go, or unsure where to begin, I'm here to walk alongside you.

Having completed my MA in Counseling Psychology, I use the wealth of knowledge I have learned regarding human emotion and behavior to provide holistic support to my clients. I am a firm believer of exhibiting empathy and compassion as well as creating a safe space for my clients to be their authentic selves and to feel seen, heard, and understood.

Given my experience as a therapist in the educational and corporate setting, I cater to clients from teenagers to middle-aged adults as they explore their different problems. I am especially adept in helping clients address the following concerns: anxiety, depression, grief, chronic stress, low self-esteem, work-related concerns, relationship problems, and problems of daily living.

In my commitment to the work of counseling and accompaniment, a disposition of honesty and integrity, loving kindness and compassion are necessary ingredients to be an instrument of Love in being with another. I find myself harnessing the skills and competencies of a wounded healer---listening most especially with the heart, and being patient and accommodating to all that is shared in confidence from the many stories of pain, anguish, and eventual hope and peace of the spirit. I desire to be able to journey with and accompany those who are in need of greater awareness of what is rich in their own persons and to lead them towards an acceptance of their true selves and their reality—unchangeable perhaps, but Grace-filled because of its potentials. I experience being drawn to an intimate relationship with my Lord in this ministry, simply because I acknowledge that He alone can guide me towards being a healer myself.

I provide psychological assessment, counseling and long-term psychotherapy for those who seriously want to pursue their journey into inner healing and wholeness. My particular areas of concentration include work with childhood trauma, emotional and sexual abuse, self-esteem, relationship issues, depression, and midlife transitions.

Our therapy sessions provide a confidential and safe place for you to freely express deeper thoughts and feelings, and to explore painful emotions and experiences with sensitivity and care. Your personal story and memories can be told and are honored with gentleness and compassion. Your sense of self and identity are gradually seen with growing clarity and new frames of understanding. Aspects of the self once rejected are acknowledged and befriended. Inner capacities and resources are discovered and strengthened.

My overall goal is to help you become truly empowered to make healing choices that will write new meaning, identity, and mission into your life.

Are you struggling with grief, bereavement, life transitions, relationship and marital issues, self-esteem, stress, anxiety, or depression? I am here to help. With a focus on providing a listening, safe, and non-judgmental space, I offer counseling for adult individuals, couples, families, seminarians, religious in formation, and clergy facing these issues. I understand that everyone faces distinct challenges, and I strive to provide a supportive and empathetic environment where you can openly explore and discuss your concerns and needs.

I employ different approaches in the counseling sessions. As a Roman Catholic priest, I specialize in the psycho-spiritual approach. I believe that you have the strength and resources you need inside yourself, and my role is to assist you uncover or rediscover them. I use a combination of spiritual accompaniment, mindfulness practices, and emotional support to help you reach your full potential. In addition, I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is an effective approach to helping individuals identify and modify negative thought patterns and behaviors. Using CBT, I create a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals.

Schedule an appointment today and take the first step towards a more fulfilling and emotionally balanced life.

In therapy, we will walk together to explore the journey you are on and to discover pockets of growth and healing along the way. I am the type of therapist that takes on a gentle and collaborative approach with my clients. I generally work with adolescents and young adults experiencing anxiety, depression and grief; family, friendship and romantic relationship conflicts; and existential concerns. I follow an eclectic and person-centered approach, particularly using mindfulness, narrative therapy, existentialism, and internal family system interventions.

As a licensed psychologist, I believe that I am called to serve others - to use my passion and competence to accompany people in their life journey. I believe that fostering a collaborative relationship between the client and therapist is a fundamental aspect of aiding individuals in their journey to identifying and pursuing opportunities to fulfill their needs. My therapeutic approach is eclectic which encompasses, but is not limited to various techniques, such as being client-centered, using cognitive-behavioral therapy methods, and the application of existential therapy interventions. I believe that each person is unique, and I tailor fit each treatment plan to center on an individual’s specific needs. I also believe that there is hope in every life story and my dedication for therapy work lies in accompanying others in effecting positive changes in their lives. I earned my Master of Arts in Developmental Psychology in Ateneo De Manila University. While I was taking my master’s degree, I was a lay missionary for an international religious NGO based in the Philippines. In my 12 years as a missionary, I have worked with a wide range of individuals from children, adolescents, and adults as well as with families from various backgrounds and life situations. I have been sent to different provinces and countries doing formation work and conducting counseling sessions with individuals, mostly with adolescents, young adults, and young couples.

As a psychotherapist, I believe that change and healing start with awareness, insight, and compassion. With the help of psychodynamic and relational approaches, I work mostly with adults who desire to understand themselves, heal past wounds, and live meaningful lives. In our therapy, we will engage in a reflective exploration of yourself. I hope to accompany you in discovering deeper insights about who you are, how your story has evolved, and how you can move toward valued living. Together, we create a space where we can honor your pains and celebrate your joys. We will also uncover patterns, emotions, and narratives that have shaped your experience, so you can gain clarity, heal, and move forward with greater self-awareness and resilience.

My work with clients is anchored in these three essentials – collaboration, safety, and integration. Together, we walk and work navigating your path towards a fuller life. Together, we carve a safe space that engenders trust in our professional relationship. Together, we explore, connect, hold, and process the different parts of your experiences to bring about transformation in your personal life and relationships.

We will tap into your internal and social resources that have forged the person that you are. At the same time, we will make conscientious use of the tools of counseling and psychotherapy that I have learned in my academic and practical training.

I obtained a master’s degree in counseling psychology and an internship in a community-based counseling agency in California, USA. I am trained in EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy). I did in-depth study of particular approaches, such as psychodynamic psychotherapy, internal family systems, emotion-focused therapy, and interpersonal neurobiology, and these inform my interventions.

I have worked with adult clients with concerns about stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, and life transitions and those with a history of abuse and trauma.

Also, I am a Catholic priest. I am a member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). I studied Catholic theology, and I am trained in spiritual direction in the Ignatian tradition. I offer a psychospiritual approach to wellbeing for those seeking it.

I am a passionate mental health counselor who integrates spirituality in counseling, fully committed to empowering individuals and families to discover meaning and clarity in their journeys. With a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and Spiritual Integration from the Graduate School of Religious Education at Fordham University, I have cultivated a strong foundation in this field. My Jesuit vocation has taken me from Ateneo de Zamboanga University to New York, and I now channel this experience into my work at the Emmaus Center for Psycho-Spiritual Formation and Accompaniment. My approach to Mental Health and Spiritual Integration counseling is both holistic and effective. I adeptly assist clients in uncovering the root of their issues and behaviors, while considering their personal attachment styles and childhood experiences. I skillfully blend Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy to create targeted interventions that achieve specific clinical goals. I am particularly adept at helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, grief, childhood trauma, and family or relationship dynamics. My work is driven by a genuine curiosity, warmth, and a profound understanding of the human experience.

Dr. Joff Quiring offers a comprehensive psychiatric assessment for various mental health concerns or conditions. Guided by the Philippine Council for Mental Health's biopsychosocial-spiritual framework, he provides holistic interventions which may include medications, psychotherapy, and other psychosocial interventions. Onsite face-to-face and online (telepsychiatry) sessions are available by appointment.