About Me

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Introduction

I empower those struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, low self-worth, life transitions, disordered eating & trauma using a variety of therapies. I'm bilingual and come from a refugee/immigrant background which helps me see the suffering in people with clarity. I pride myself in practicing compassionate, nonjudgmental, and collaborative approaches to help you feel seen and heard. You are welcome to show up exactly who you are.

What was your path to becoming a mental health provider?

I got my MSW at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with the dreamy, wide-eye hope of changing the world. My initial focus was macro but I landed my first big-girl job in case management for children's mental health through Ramsey County, MN. That experience completely changed my trajectory because I switched from macro-level change to micro (working with the individual and not systems). I now have over 15 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in various settings including community mental health, private agencies, skilled nursing facility, residential, intensive outpatient / partial hospitalization programs, and virtual platforms. Currently, I prefer to work with adults virtually in my solo practice.

What should someone know about working with you?

I like to provide psycho-education and help name the things you're going through so that it's less scary and confusing. I give you control and responsibility over your situation. Through warmth, space, validation, and gentle challenging, you can walk away feeling confident about our collaboration, and just uncomfortable enough to make changes in your life. I like to I give homework weekly: something to reflect on beyond our session, journal prompts, practice a coping skill or a behavior change, a worksheet, or simply tracking your moods for our next session. 

Is there something personal you can share about yourself?

I am the oldest of 6 from a strict refugee family. First to go college and graduate school. I married my best friend for almost 16 years, and have two kids. I'm also a plant mom and a dog mom. We have moved around a lot for careers and different seasons in our family. I enjoy the outdoors, hiking, camping, canoeing, and dabble a little with pickleball. I'm currently training for my first marathon, and had ran 4 half marathons so far. I did struggle with postpartum both times and not know it, being a therapist had impacted my friendship ability, I can't always regulate my emotions, I question my parenting, and I learned so much from my clients, every one of them.

Kayoua C. Thao, MSW, LCSW

CA #108469 | NV #7158-C | WA #61374335 

University of Michigan, School of Social Work

Master of Social Work 2011

Macalester College

Bachelor of Arts 2009

Psychology / Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies