Meet Daisy

My name is Ruqian Ma (Daisy), Ph.D., MSW, M.A., and I am a licensed psychologist at Sunburst Psychology. My specialization involves working with children, adolescents, and their families with neurodiversed backgrounds on their journey toward hope, healing, and success. I provide an integrative approach coupled with a systems approach to partner with individuals, parents, and families, as well as diagnostic evaluations for a variety of mental health and developmental disorders. In addition, as a bilingual/bi-cultural (Mandarin-Chinese) clinical service provider, I understand the challenges and barriers that many immigrant individuals and families face. Thus, I strive for providing culturally and linguistically sensitive services through a nonjudgmental and empathetic lens.

Education

  • University of Washington, Seattle, Ph.D. in School Psychology, APA-accredited program, 2024

  • Boston College, Master of Social Work - Clinical Concentration, 2015

  • Boston College, M.A. in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology, 2012

  • WA Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA). License Number: MC.61549024

Experience

  • Postdoctoral psychology fellow at Eastside Psychological Associates, 2024-2025

  • APA-accredited Pre-doctoral internship in the Department of Behavioral Psychology at Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 2020-2021

My Therapeutic Approach

My therapeutic approach is integrative, meaning I tailor the treatment to meet the unique needs of each individual and family. I incorporate various theories and techniques, drawing from ecological systems, cognitive-behavioral, family systems, behavioral, and interpersonal frameworks. This allows me to create a flexible and holistic approach to therapy that is adaptable to each client's situation.

In assessment, I focus on identifying and leveraging strengths, and I am committed to a neurodiversity-affirming approach that respects and values different ways of thinking and experiencing the world. I approach each case with a trauma-informed lens, ensuring that past experiences are understood and respected, and I am mindful of cultural sensitivities, striving to provide care that is respectful of each client's cultural background and identity.

Collaboration with families is a cornerstone of my practice, as I work closely with them to develop individualized treatment plans that reflect each person’s uniqueness. For younger children, I often incorporate parent coaching into the process, helping parents to support their child’s growth and development. My practice is informed by a variety of therapeutic models, including:

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

  • Play Therapy

  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)

  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

  • Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)

My Specialties

When my professional

hat is off, I am…

a mother of one toddler and three furry babies

a photographer

a yogi