Check Out Diane Jung Gallo’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Diane Jung Gallo.

Hi Diane, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story began in a two-bedroom apartment in the Sunset district of San Francisco, where I lived with my parents and four siblings. At the time, the Sunset was a working-class, predominantly Asian neighborhood. I’m Filipina-Chinese American: my mother is Chinese-American, born and raised in SF, and my father immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines.

I’m one of five children, and one of my brothers has Down’s syndrome. Seeing strangers tease him for his disability put me in the role of protector at a young age.  I still remember being six years old, yelling back at someone who called him a slur at the mall. Looking back, being his protective sister was one of the earliest roots of my commitment to standing up for oppressed people.

My parents worked long hours in food and customer service jobs, one of them working a night shift so the other could be at home with us. My mom, in particular, taught me what sacrifice, thoughtfulness, and hard work look like. At the same time, my family’s intergenerational trauma showed up in different ways – not talking about your feelings, perfectionism, and overworking. I attended a notoriously competitive magnet high school, where we were explicitly encouraged to prioritize grades over our health.

Still, I had the privilege of accessing high-quality public education in San Francisco, and later attending college at UCLA through scholarships and grants for students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. I’m acutely aware of what that education gave me – it paved my path to pursuing a doctorate and becoming a psychologist. Much of my personal healing, growth, and self-exploration happened in college, which is what drew me to college counseling.

However, it was my move to Chicago for my doctoral program that solidified my sense of purpose. I had lived in California my entire life, so moving to a predominantly white area of Chicago was a culture shock. I was one of only two people of color in my whole doctoral class. Navigating racism and microaggressions in a space that didn’t always feel built for me continues to shape how I show up for my clients — especially when they share experiences of feeling “othered” or unseen.

I’ve now worked in college counseling for nearly 14 years, providing therapy to college and graduate students. Supporting people in early adulthood as they grapple with questions like, “Where do I belong? What could bring my life meaning? How do I get through college as a first-generation college student?” has been especially meaningful, as these were questions I wrestled with myself.

While I continue working with college students, I also opened a private practice several years ago. Today, I work with people across many life stages, including early-career professionals, people navigating marital challenges, women undergoing IVF, those grieving the loss of a parent, and people living with chronic health conditions.

The most recent – and most transformative – chapter of my story began in 2023. I’ve always been drawn to working with underrepresented communities, but like many others, my political awakening deepened in the wake of the genocide in Palestine. I supported the local Palestine Solidarity Encampment and provided pro bono support in my free time to individuals who were brutalized by outside agitators and police. That work has firmly anchored my commitment to marginalized communities, both inside and outside the therapy room.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wouldn’t say the journey has been easy. Balancing the roles of therapist and organizer is taxing, and some of my greatest challenges have come in the last few years. Being part of the profound solidarity and care within the Palestine Solidarity Encampment—and then watching it be violently dismantled—was heartbreaking. Nothing fully prepares you for seeing police fire rubber bullets at your students, or watching outsiders target them with fireworks. It still enrages me that students engaged in peaceful protest were attacked on their own campus. I found myself reeling from the same betrayal, grief, and rage that many of my clients were feeling. The disillusionment cut even deeper knowing their own institution had failed to protect them.

Like many helping professionals, I’ve struggled with burnout and knowing when to slow down. As an Asian American who internalized the “model minority myth” early on, I know how easily I can slip into perfectionism and overworking. Over time, I’ve become quicker to notice when I’m pushing past my limits, and I’m grateful for my partner and friends who gently call me in when I’m overdoing it. I’ve learned to choose rest, joy, and laughter alongside the heaviness of this work— remembering that play is just as essential as the struggle.

Above all, these challenges have clarified what I stand for. I’ve seen the power of collective action and the importance of sustaining ourselves and one another for the long haul. In the wake of intensified repression – for Palestine, immigrants, transgender folks, and so many others – I’ve felt more compelled than ever to use my privilege to speak up and advocate for others. I’ve learned what it truly means to remain rooted in community, and I have worked alongside some of the bravest, kindest, and most principled people I’ve met in my life. I don’t regret this work despite the struggles – it’s the most aligned I’ve ever felt with my values.

So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work? What sets you apart from others and what are you most proud of?
I primarily provide individual therapy in my private practice, with a special place in my heart for people who experience systemic oppression – BIPOC individuals, immigrants and children of immigrants, undocumented folks, and the LGBTQIA+ community. I specialize in trauma, eating disorders, and anxiety, helping people understand how their upbringing and identities shape their relationships and challenges. Just as importantly, I empower them to honor the resilience and wisdom that come from their ancestors, cultural backgrounds, and lived experiences.

I also love working with early-career professionals, particularly BIPOC healthcare providers navigating burnout and systemic barriers. I frequently support creatives—photographers, aspiring actors, writers—people who care deeply about creating and meaning-making. As an avid reader in childhood and a former English major before switching to psychology, I find that my inquisitive, reflective style in therapy resonates with people in creative fields. Within my practice, I offer reduced fee and pro bono therapy to those who otherwise couldn’t access care, and I’ve facilitated healing circles and workshops for activists, Asian Americans, and other BIPOC groups.

As for “what sets me apart,” I don’t place much importance on that. What I’m most proud of are my contributions to collective liberation efforts. Whether I’m helping a client name the oppression they’re facing at work or speaking up alongside others committed to justice, I’m proud of the ways we continue to care for and protect one another despite persistent attempts to silence us. I hold deep respect for organizers and activists who have been doing this work for decades, and I’m honored to now be a part of that lineage.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
To stay grounded amidst the weight of this work, I find solace in the small moments. I’m a fur mom to two cats, Royce and Max, and can often be found under a blanket snuggling with Roy – the only relationship I’m happily codependent in! I’m also a proud aunt to seven nephews (yes, seven!), and my close friends are like family to me. My partner and I are huge foodies; you’re likely to find me clutching a fresh baguette or pastry from a local bakery. Having grown up across the street from Ocean Beach in San Francisco, I’m an ocean baby—the water remains my refuge and the place that brings me immediate peace. I’m also a devoted yogi (shoutout to yoga’s Hindu roots) and practice regularly in my neighborhood.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.drdianejunggallo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-jung-gallo-psy-d-93a2103a
• Other: https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/california/los-angeles/diane-jung-gallo