About Nick

Hi, I'm Nick. I'm a graduate student in couple, family, and systemic therapy, and I started Hotolosophy because good help can be hard to find and harder to afford.

My purpose

I want mental and social health support and learning to be open to everyone, free, in plain language, and rooted in the communities it serves. I'm still learning, and I want this site to keep learning with you.

Why I built this

I'm Vietnamese American, and I've struggled to find mental health care that fit me and my experience. It was hard to find someone who understood where I come from. I started Hotolosophy hoping that what I've lived and learned can make support easier to find for other people, too.

My experience

I've worked as a behavioral interventionist, giving more than 800 hours of one-on-one support to neurodivergent children and families and coaching parents. I've also been a research assistant in a social-health and affective neuroscience lab, a teaching assistant in a children's center, a volunteer at a women's resource center, and an undergraduate representative on a psychology diversity, equity, and inclusion committee. Those roles shaped how I think about who help is built for, and I bring that thinking to this site.

I build Hotolosophy with AI-assisted tools, and a person reviews every change before it goes live.

My background as a student

I studied psychology at San Diego State University, with a minor in counseling and social change. I'm now in a master's program in couple, family, and systemic therapy at Alliant International University, and I'm on a semester break and plan to return. I've also taken part in a practicum under licensed clinical supervision, where I practiced skills like motivational interviewing and reflective listening.

What I learn in class shapes how I build this site: curiosity over certainty, and the idea that people's behavior makes sense in context.

My perspective

This site reflects my own views and values, including my Christian faith. I try to be accurate, show my sources, criticize ideas and actions fairly, and correct my mistakes.

You're welcome here whether or not you share my beliefs. You're also welcome to disagree without being demeaned.

What this site is not

I'm a student, not a licensed therapist, and Hotolosophy is not a substitute for professional care. If you need help right now, call or text 988 or call 911 in an emergency.

Nothing here is medical or clinical advice, and reading a post doesn't make me your therapist. If you're struggling, please reach out to a licensed professional who can get to know your situation.

Tell me what's missing

If something is out of date or missing, tell me and I'll fix it.

If I got something wrong, email me at 1000hoto1000@gmail.com and I'll correct it. Disagreement is welcome too.