Zona Keo
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
I grew up in North Side Long Beach, CA, a city that has the highest population of Khmer people outside of Cambodia. I lived in The Bay Area for many years and have set roots in Sacramento with my family.
As a healer of color and trauma survivor, I noticed that for most of my life, I rarely had people in my personal and work life reach out to me for support because everyone knew that I was strong and resilient.
Everyone assumed that I didn’t need help because I would always end up “getting it together” and be the leader my community needs. They didn’t know that my “skills” were a product of trauma and that deep down I was suffering.
Till this day, I don’t blame these folks completely. They too were busy facing their own traumas and stressors from living and working in a society shaped by capitalism, heteropatriarchy, and white supremacy.
Through my own healing, I learned how to accept help and take the time I need to build a strong and safe support system. I also gave myself permission to explore and be my authentic self and to receive the love from my support system along the way.
It would be an honor for me to be a part of your support network and healing journey.
My Professional Values & Experiences
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Inclusion
Being a child of Khmer refugees and growing up and working in diverse environments has inspired my commitment to practicing inclusion. Some of the key elements of inclusion includes respecting and celebrating the uniqueness of each person and population and the intersection of their multiple identities (e.g race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, able-bodiedness, and etc.) while recognizing that learning about ourselves, each other, and our connection to the world is a lifelong process.
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Quality & Holistic Care
I have extensive experience working with stigmatized populations and topics such as the Asian/Asian American or Pacific Islander, Southeast Asian community, 2SLGBTQIA+, addiction, and the mental health impact of racism and discrimination. Working in various mental health settings (e.g outpatient, inpatient, hotline, college, and integrated healthcare settings) and previously being a community organizer has further granted me the skills to adapt to the individualized needs of each client and provide quality holistic therapeutic care. Below is a list of evidenced-based practices I use.
Evidence-Based Practices
I integrate multiple evidence-based practices that best fits each of my clients needs.
Attachment-Based Therapy
Decolonization/Justice Approach
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
Psychoanalytic Therapy
Problem-Solving Therapy
Seeking Safety
Client-Centered Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Family Systems Theory
Harm Reduction
Motivational Interviewing & Stages of Change
Rape Crisis Counseling
Strengths-Based Approach
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Domestic Violence Counseling
Mindfulness
Psychodynamic Therapy
Substance Use Counseling
Trauma-Informed Approach
Education & License
Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies at University of California, Berkeley
Masters of Social Work at California State University, East Bay
Licensed Clinical Social Worker LCSW #81317
In the process of being certified in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
In the process of being certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
In the process of being certified in Card Reading
Languages: English & Conversational Khmer
Let’s Connect
I will be happy to schedule a 20-minute consultation call for us to discuss your needs and if we are a good fit for each other.