Susan Hea Jin Ko
New to Grow
Hi, I’m Susan. I’m a licensed therapist offering online therapy in California for adults and moms who are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or just worn down by the day-to-day demands of life. Many of the people I work with are capable, high-achieving, and used to getting things done, yet feel emotionally exhausted, on edge, or stretched too thin inside. In therapy, you don’t have to hold it all together. Our work is collaborative and supportive, with a focus on helping you understand what’s been weighing on you and finding practical ways to feel calmer and more steady in your everyday life. I often work with clients navigating postpartum challenges, ongoing stress and burnout, and midlife transitions such as perimenopause or menopause, when emotions can feel different or harder to manage. I’m thoughtful about cultural identity, family dynamics, and the quiet pressures many people carry, especially when they’ve been expected to stay strong for a long time. We move at a pace that feels safe and manageable, and I’ll meet you where you are. If you’re looking for therapy that feels human, grounding, and genuinely supportive, not rushed or clinical. You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, we’ll start by getting to know you and what’s been weighing on you lately. I’ll ask some gentle, thoughtful questions about what’s bringing you to therapy, your experiences, and what you’re hoping for, while always leaving room for you to share whatever feels most important in the moment. There’s no pressure to say everything “right” or all at once; we’ll move at a pace that feels manageable and supportive. We’ll talk together about how therapy can support you, begin noticing patterns related to anxiety, stress, or overwhelm, and, if it feels helpful, explore a few initial tools you can start using right away. You’ll also have space to ask questions about my approach, what next steps might look like, and how ongoing therapy could fit into your life. I hope that you leave the session feeling heard, grounded, and a little more hopeful about what’s possible.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
One of the things I care most about in my work is building a relationship where you feel safe, supported, and understood. I’m warm and grounded, and I also offer clear guidance so sessions don’t feel vague or directionless. My style is gentle but honest. I’ll meet you where you are, while also helping you move toward real change at a pace that feels right for you. I work in a trauma-informed, evidence-based way, but what that really means is helping you calm anxiety, understand your emotions, and learn tools you can actually use in your everyday life. Clients often tell me they feel more settled, clearer-headed, and better able to handle stress as therapy progresses. I see therapy as a collaborative process, and I’m mindful of culture, family dynamics, and the pressures many people carry quietly.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
The clients I tend to work best with are adults who feel anxious, overwhelmed, or stretched thin especially during periods of change or transition. Many are navigating chronic stress, burnout, or a season of life that feels heavier than they expected. I often work with postpartum clients, working parents, and professionals who are carrying a lot, balancing responsibilities, managing high expectations, and putting their own needs last. Many of the people I support are thoughtful and self-aware, and genuinely want things to feel different, but feel stuck in constant worry or emotionally worn down. They’re not looking for quick fixes. They’re looking for a supportive, collaborative space where they can slow down, make sense of what’s happening, learn practical tools, and feel more steady in their everyday lives. Over time, our work focuses on easing anxiety, improving emotional regulation, and helping life feel more balanced and manageable again.
Location
VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. CBT offers practical tools for managing anxiety, overwhelm, and life transitions, helping clients feel more grounded and in control. My approach is collaborative and tailored to each client’s lived experience, with mindfulness strategies integrated to support stress management and coping outside of sessions.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I integrate mindfulness-based approaches to help clients build awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and body responses in the present moment. This method supports clients in managing anxiety, stress, and overwhelm by learning how to respond to challenges with greater calm, clarity, and self-compassion. Mindfulness practices are introduced in a practical and flexible way so clients can use them both in and outside of sessions.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients develop a more flexible and compassionate relationship with their thoughts and emotions. Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety or stress, ACT focuses on building skills to tolerate discomfort while staying connected to personal values. In my practice, I incorporate ACT techniques such as mindfulness, values clarification, and acceptance strategies to help clients navigate anxiety, overwhelm, and life transitions. This approach supports clients in taking meaningful steps forward even when difficult thoughts or emotions are present.