Christopher Lum, LCSW
- California
- CA LCSW 29237
Not accepting new clientsVerified 5 hours ago
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Open 9 of the last 30 days
Live availability history
Open on 9 of the last 30 days
When Christopher was open to new clients. We re-check the BetterHelp listing once a day and record what it said, whichever way it went.
Availability over the last 30 days: open to new clients on 9 days, waitlist or full on 21 days. Most recent check, Oct 14: waitlist or full.
Days available
9/30
every one of the last 30 days checked
Availability forecast
Christopher has been open to new clients on 9 of the last 30 days.
From the BetterHelp listing
About Christopher
I grew up navigating the space between cultures-balancing the desire to fit in with my peers while honoring the Chinese roots my family cherished. Those early experiences taught me how complex identity, belonging, and cultural expectations can feel, especially for those who move between multiple worlds. That understanding eventually led me to AAPI Studies and psychology, where I discovered my passion for supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Throughout my training, I sought out opportunities to work directly with AAPI individuals and other marginalized groups. I volunteered with AADAP on community health initiatives, supported research on AAPI depression and perfectionism, and taught CBT-based social skills to veterans with dual diagnoses. Hearing a Hmong social worker speak about the power of multilevel social interventions was the moment I realized social work was where I belonged. After earning my MSW, I worked with veterans experiencing homelessness and with individuals in psychiatric inpatient settings. Today, I serve as a medical social worker in emergency and outpatient settings at the VA and Kaiser. Much of my work has involved supporting geriatric clients through dialysis, end-of-life issues, caregiving challenges, and placement decisions. In recent years, I’ve felt called to reconnect with my roots by creating healing spaces for BIPOC and AAPI communities. My own healing journey has shaped my approach as well. Through mindfulness and loving-kindness practices, I learned to soften the inner critical voice that so many of us carry-especially in communities where perfectionism, pressure, and family expectations can feel ever-present. I also bring lived experience: navigating mental health challenges, AAPI sexuality/gender expectations/conflicts, speech therapy in childhood, addiction, depression, and the pressure of not fitting the “model minority” image. These experiences deepen my belief that therapy should be a compassionate, culturally attuned space where clients feel seen, understood, and supported. Today, I am committed to holding space for AAPI and BIPOC individuals as they explore identity, generational differences, trauma, and healing. I believe there are many different cultural masks that one is wearing at a time that shapes the roles and expectations of what it means to be one's self in the moment. My approach is grounded in mindfulness, self compassion, CBT, ACT and cultural humility-and in the belief that every person has the capacity to grow with the right support. Read more Show less
What Christopher helps with
Specialties and approaches
Specializes in
AddictionsGriefDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
Approaches
Not specified yet
Also experienced with
Additional focus areas
Aging and geriatric issuesDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingIsolation / lonelinessMood disordersMulticultural concernsSelf-love