Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker (#133198)
Supervised by Dr. Panicha McGuire, LMFT, RPT™ (#111378)
She/Her/Hers
Hi, my name is Maggie Chen and I’m excited to be a part of Living Lotus Therapy! I have a dual Master of Social Work and Public Health from Washington University in St. Louis. I also hold undergraduate degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering and Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley. I am a Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker and am working towards my Play Therapy Certification.
I originally began my career as an environmental engineer working for marginalized communities, but soon realized that the best part of the job was connecting with people and building upon their strengths to meet the community’s needs. I quickly pivoted to social work and public health, where I’m passionate about working with children and young adults, especially those who are queer, neurodivergent, and/or Asian American. I have had the opportunity to work with neurodivergent children aged 5+, as well as those with behavior and emotional regulation challenges. I strongly believe that our kids are yearning to be heard, loved, and accepted as they are, especially in our fast-paced society that tends to place unrealistic expectations and demands on their developing minds. My clinical practice is thus guided by the phrase “meet them where they are, and not from where we want them to be”.
My work is also influenced by my own lived experiences as a queer Taiwanese American and the systems of injustice that have played their part in our intersectional histories of violence, generational trauma, and cultural misunderstanding. Ultimately, I hope that our work together can shine a light on the intrinsic value we all hold as individuals and bring about growth and freedom to live as we want to be seen.
Who I am outside of therapy:
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, exploring all that San Diego has to offer, cooking, cross-stitching, and taking care of the absolute jungle of plants, composting worms, fish, and aquarium shrimp I seem to have accumulated with my partner! On weekends, you can find me camping and spending time outdoors or checking out the local theater scene!
Trainings
Play Therapy
Play therapy is an approach in which therapists use the powers of play to help resolve the client’s challenges and foster growth. Play therapy is effective regardless of age, gender, or nature of the problem. Learn more.
Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach
Neurodiversity affirming therapy recognizes neurological differences (such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and more) as natural variations of the human experience rather than issues that need “fixing.” This inclusive approach focuses on empowering each individual’s unique strengths, fostering self-acceptance, and creating supportive environments that honor diverse ways of thinking and being. Learn more.
15-Minute Free Consultation!
(858) 522-9415 (text friendly!)
Land Acknowledgement
At Living Lotus Therapy, we honor and acknowledge that we reside and work on the ancestral and unceded lands of the Kumeyaay people, who have been the caretakers of this region since time immemorial. The Kumeyaay, also known as Tipai-Ipai or Diegueño, have stewarded these lands for generations and continue to resist ongoing erasure and oppression.
We recognize the historical and present-day injustices faced by Indigenous peoples and the continuous effects of colonization, which include the theft of land, suppression of culture, and systemic marginalization. This land acknowledgment is only a starting point in our commitment to decolonizing mental health practices and fostering anti-oppressive approaches that honor Indigenous knowledge and sovereignty.
As part of our practice, we strive to:
- Provide therapy that is rooted in inclusivity, respect, and cultural humility.
- Advocate for Land Back initiatives and Indigenous sovereignty.
- Support and amplify Indigenous voices, organizations, and movements.
- Reflect on and interrupt colonial practices within the mental health field.
We encourage our clients, colleagues, and community to join us in learning about the histories and present realities of Indigenous peoples and to actively contribute to their liberation and restoration. In this spirit, we pay our respects to the Elders, past, present, and future, of the Kumeyaay Nation and all Indigenous peoples.