My Approach to Helping
Therapy is where everything counts, especially the things that our mainstream norms discount to marginalize a part of us. It is a place where we are gently encouraged to give voice to the unheard parts of us so that we may hear what they have to say. It’s a place where we give shape to the parts of us that may have gone invisible for a while. The questions you hold and the things that are “taboo” to talk about out there, are some of the best ingredients for therapy. We are always “coming out” to ourselves first in this way. I come from a secular, queer-affirming, faith-friendly (but not faith-based) humanistic therapeutic approach.
I excel in helping people embrace their "used to be"-s without shame or guilt. My own journey has been that I am an ace who used to be in a mixed orientation marriage; I am a secular clinical counselor who used to be a Christian; and I am a US citizen who used to go by an anglicized nickname. Now I wear each of my "used-to-be"-s as a part of my storied self.
This understanding has shaped me as a person which in turn informs my sensitivities as a humanistic therapist of the person-centered, gentle Gestalt (here-and-now), and artistic modalities for those who are grappling with life’s challenges; from the personal and political to the larger-than-life and spiritual. I invite my clients to bring their whole self to this process which we call ‘therapy’ because that is how we truly begin to discern our voice and find a healing direction.
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More Info About My Practice
한국어 상담 가능합니다. Therapy can be provided in English or Korean.
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My View on the Purpose of Psychotherapy
People use therapy in different ways. I invite my clients to think of it as a dedicated space to begin their exploration, reflection, and expression of where they have been, who they are, and where they hope to be next. Having a set time and structure to your weekly rhythm can create a sense of personal ritual and offer you a helpful reference point stemming from your inner wisdom.
By listening to both your own as well as your therapist's reflection of what has been present in the room (verbal or non-verbal), we practice together intentionality towards our own experiences and be present to ourselves without judgment. The change we wish to see in our interpersonal relationships, for example, can be entertained in thought experiments and rehearsed in therapy sessions where it is extra safe to do so. We work together to identify where your pain or joy comes from and work towards embodying more of your strengths in the face of life's adversity.
Nothing is wasted in the therapeutic space between us, just like it is my belief that nothing about our past was a waste.
They all count.
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What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist
One of the privileges and joys of being a psychotherapist is that I get to embody professionally the growth I experience personally. I have been in therapy before and have had my share of struggles. One of the reasons why I am relatively open with my past life experiences--as clinically appropriate--comes from my belief in bringing our humanity into this work. It's also because I believe in bearing witness to life that is ever evolving, growing, and self-correcting as we remain open to what nurtures and teaches us while keeping us young at heart.
I go first to an extent on these pages and then I invite the client to go and share their life experiences in sessions. Overtime, I witness my clients becoming more confident and comfortable in sharing their identities, nuances, and beliefs, knowing that they have the power to take up space and be more practiced in showing up for themselves, and seen as themselves.
I enjoy seeing my clients become more equipped over time which signals to me that our therapist-client relationship may be drawing to a close. I love the process of reflecting on our progress and charting an end course together in a way that is timely and not rushed. One of the joys of being a psychotherapist is meeting people where they needed my assistance, and eventually sending them off in mutual celebration when they feel they have arrived at their goal in their current season of life. For me, the joy of psychotherapy is empowering the client to rely more and more on themselves as they relate to others from a position of healthy inter-dependence and inner strength. If this process speaks to you, I look forward to going on that journey with you.
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