Meet Our Team - Irwin Tsai
Irwin Tsai
Position at the Hallowell Todaro ADHD Center:
Counseling Intern
How long have you been working at Hallowell Todaro ADHD?
About three weeks
Where did you grow up?
Redmond, WA
What are some of your favorite books, movies, and/or TV shows?
Hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Scrubs
Star Wars Series
What is your favorite sport and/or sports team?
I enjoy watching various E-sports and MotoE events from time-to-time.
Complete the following sentences:
When I’m not at work, you can find me...
playing video/board games, growing plants hydroponically, and socializing with friends/family.
When I want to de-stress, I...
get cuddly with my cat, Theo.
My favorite time of year is...
Autumn. I love the seasonal color change.
My favorite thing to cook is...
Zongzi and Chili.
The best gift I ever received was…
A trip to Singapore. It was a lot of fun.
If I could travel anywhere in the world, I’d go to...
Taiwan. My brother and his family recently moved back, and it would be great to visit them.
What led you to pursue a career in helping others?
Growing up into young adulthood, I found myself wanting to better understand my cognitive mind. Due to some cultural stigma growing in a more traditional Taiwanese household, it was challenging to get connected to a counselor/therapist during that time. In lieu of that, I was able to read sociology and psychology textbooks, gaining some cognitive insight. This stirred a passion to help others holistically grow, especially within cultural communities where mental health stigma is more prominent.
What education, skills and expertise do you bring to your role?
In addition to currently getting my master’s in counseling, I have a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. During that time, I volunteered as a quantitative research assistant, examining traits of romantic relationships. In terms of clinical experience, I’ve worked as an outreach case manager with various marginalized populations, including folks experiencing homelessness, substance abuse, chronic/persistent mental health, and recidivism.
Who/what inspires you?
Seeing friends, family, and community thriving in their own unique way.
What’s your personal philosophy/approach toward the work you do?
A holistic and strength-based approach, assisting folks be a more refined version of their authentic selves.
What is one small thing people can do to increase their happiness?
Take a moment each day for yourself, even for a brief moment. This could be 10- minutes of mindfulness, taking a walk in green spaces, or engaging in a hobby. What’s important is giving time to center and rebalance with something that resonates with you.
We provide a range of support for people with ADHD.