Kim Schuster
(they/them)
New to Grow
I am a Filipinx/German-American located in the Sacramento area. As a queer person, I love to queer what I do! I love being able to practice in alternative ways, such as adding expressive arts and spirituality in sessions. I love being comfortable in sessions (e.g., seated on the floor, snack nearby in case I am hungry) and hope my clients feel comfortable as well. I have a lot of energy, but can also meet you at a lower energy level as well to deepen our work. I plan on opening up an in person practice in Sacramento this Fall 2026 and am looking for folks to come in person! I thoroughly enjoy being able to do in-person work and see folks progress!
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Some folks want to hit the ground running and I love that enthusiasm! However, our first few sessions are going to be information-gathering and getting to know each other. In order to help, I need to know and understand you deeply. Your honesty and openness is so appreciated in these first few sessions. I will cover logistics like what to expect (e.g., time in sessions, cancellations, guidelines for telehealth sessions, etc.) and how we will navigate safety concerns. You should get a feel of who I am and my energy in our first few sessions and if you are not feeling a fit, that is totally fine! I am not a perfect fit for everyone! I will check in regarding our fit after a few sessions and would appreciate honesty so I can either adjust for you to feel more comfortable or work to find a better fit for you! Please communicate as much as you can! I am so excited to start our work together!
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
In all settings, I bring the highest energy but ready to stop and listen at any moment. I am also very open so I take feedback well and love considering other perspectives and ways I can improve as a person. I am definitely the type of therapist who spends a lot of time affirming and observing, especially while building a relationship with a new client. I do challenge folks once I know them well enough and see patterns of maladaptive behavior and thought, though that takes time. I take my time sharing my own experiences because I want you to feel like this is YOUR session. Yet if it feels appropriate, I may self-disclose my experience so you feel less alone.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I work well with folks who are motivated to do the work with me! I enjoy being creative and finding ways to explore and process things (in the work I give for outside of sessions, expressive arts, utilizing local resources and community). Working with kids is always fun with their energy, and working with adults offers a lot of insight and perspective that I enjoy.
Specialties
Top specialties
ADHD
LGBTQ
Trauma and PTSD
Other specialties
Anxiety
Crisis Intervention
Eating Disorders
I identify as
Asian / Asian American
Buddhist
LGBTQ
Non binary
Person of Color (POC)
White
Serves ages
Adults (18 to 64)
Children (6 to 12)
Elders (65 and above)
Licensed in
California
Accepts
Arlo
Location
Virtual
My treatment methods
Trauma-Focused CBT
This is a therapy designed for children and adolescents to work together with their parents/caregivers in processing a difficult event. I have applied it with work with adults over telehealth and found it to be helpful for them too! I love being able to bring a creative aspect to it. It can be completed in 8-12 sessions. Overall, I take the themes of CBT in other parts of my work, especially the relaxation and coping skills.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I have used and experienced DBT as both a client and a clinician. I have run several DBT groups, but I can also provide individual handouts and do the work with folks, depending if they could benefit from any of the four areas: distress tolerance, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and/or mindfulness.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
As a person of mixed heritage and having lived in other countries, I understand the complex relationships one can have with their identity. I also understand how microaggressions from others because of our identities also impacts our ability to connect and see ourselves. I enjoy exploring the impact our cultures have on us in our treatment, growth, and progress, with the hope of reconnecting with our cultures in a way that can bring us strength and community.
EMDR
I will be completing training for EMDR by the end of June 2026 and can begin work for single-event traumas starting July 2026. By Fall 2026 I should be able to begin processing more complex traumas.
Gender-affirming therapy
I am a queer therapist myself, but that means more than just respecting a person's pronouns and having lived experience. I understand deeply the cultural and historic context of transphobia in the United States and the fears that someone may encounter, long before coming out. I never force folks to come out but can work with safety planning (including if they are outed prematurely), finding a community and connection with others, and explore ways they may have internalized their shame. There are so many wonderful ways of being and I want to be here to celebrate them all!