Peter Shum

Languages: English  |  中文

Humans are complicated beings.  Our mind, body and soul are all interconnected.  When we do not live in balance, problems often arise.  In today’s challenging, fast paced and competitive world, it has become even more critical to address mental health issues instead of compartmentalizing or suppressing them.  I believe when we are more attuned to ourselves - our identities, our emotions, and our bodily needs - we will be healthier in relation to ourselves, our loved ones and others, and God.  My approach as a clinician is to meet clients where they are. I work collaboratively with clients to explore and identify ways to meet their goals, and provide tools and interventions as fitting. Most importantly, I walk alongside them in their journey to attain health and growth.

I earned my Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) and Certificate in Addiction Study in 2015 at Western Seminary in San Jose.  I have practiced as an MFT since then, starting with serving the Chinese immigrant community in San Francisco’s Chinatown during my internship at Cameron House.  After that, I worked at Pyramid Alternatives in San Mateo County helping individuals who struggled with alcohol and drug addiction to recover and re-enter society.  I led process and psychoeducation groups in addiction and mental health topics, while providing individual treatment to troubled adults.  In addition, I have worked at Star Vista’s outpatient counseling center providing bilingual psychotherapy services to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families of diverse cultural backgrounds in the community.  Through my work there, I developed such passion in couples work that motivated me to pursue further training in Emotionally Focused Therapy.

I believe God has continued to use my life experiences to shape my perspective of helping people.  As a first generation Chinese immigrant who has lived in different parts of the United States for almost three decades, I have developed a deep understanding of both the Chinese and American cultures, as well as the challenges faced by new immigrants over the process of acculturation. I started my career as an electrical engineer and was in the high tech industry in Silicon Valley for 13 years. Then I realized how a high pressure, do-it-at-all-cost environment could impact mental health. With God’s grace and affirmation, I decided to make a career change and went to Western Seminary to study counseling, and was both influenced and convicted by how spiritual health and mental health go hand in hand.  Between being an engineer and studying counseling, I got married and had 2 children. To date, I continue to experience the challenges and find ways to raise kids in a culture that is different from my own. I understand what it means to live in the Bay Area with a bi-cultural perspective.  And in my decade of involvement in the children and family ministry at my church, I recognize how a healthy attachment to intimate others is foundational to the well-being of the whole family, and that is enabled by a healthy attachment to God in the first place.

I prayerfully hope that I can be of help in your journey to health and growth.

Area of Focus

• Relationship Counseling for Couples

• Family Counseling

• Child and Adolescent Counseling

• Individual Counseling for Life Issues

Special Training

• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Externship

• Addiction study Certificate

Phone

• (650) 416-8622

Location

• 21710 Stevens Creek Blvd. Suite 105, Cupertino CA 95014

Office Hours

• Please call for appointments

Insurance

• I accept some insurances

Languages

• English

• Chinese - Mandarin and Cantonese [see translated bio]