LCSW, 8 years of experience
New to Grow
Hi, I’m MinKyoung Johnson, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Psychotherapist. I believe therapy is a space where you should feel safe, seen, and genuinely supported without judgment. Whether you're facing anxiety, navigating grief, working through trauma, or struggling in your relationships, I offer a compassionate, collaborative approach to help you feel more grounded and empowered. I honor each person’s unique cultural background and life experience, and I’m here to walk beside you as you work toward healing, clarity, and meaningful change.
Our first session is a chance for us to slow things down and begin building trust. We’ll talk about what’s bringing you in, what you hope to gain from therapy, and any concerns you may have about the process. I’ll ask some questions to better understand your story, but you’re always in control of what you share and when. My goal is to create a space where you feel heard, supported, and not rushed—just the beginning of a process tailored to you.
Clients often tell me they feel both deeply supported and gently challenged in our work together. I bring a grounded, trauma-informed presence while offering practical tools drawn from evidence-based therapies like CBT, trauma-focused modalities, and motivational interviewing. I’m skilled at helping clients untangle complex emotions, make sense of their experiences, and move forward with clarity. Whether we’re addressing trauma, grief, anxiety, or relationship issues, I stay attuned to each person’s unique story and create a space where healing doesn’t feel overwhelming, but possible.
I’m here for individuals, couples, and families navigating life transitions, trauma, anxiety, grief, or relationship challenges, and who are ready to do the meaningful work of healing. Many of my clients are high-functioning but silently struggling, often carrying the weight of expectations, past wounds, or caregiving roles. I have a deep appreciation for those who may have felt overlooked or misunderstood in other settings, whether due to identity, background, or life circumstance. If you're seeking clarity, connection, or practical tools for change, I’ll meet you with warmth, honesty, and a commitment to walk with you through the process.
Use CBT to help clients explore the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In our work together, I guide you in identifying unhelpful thinking patterns, like self-criticism, worry, or fear, and replacing them with healthier, more balanced thoughts that support emotional resilience and personal growth. Drawing from my experience working with veterans, students, families, and individuals facing trauma, I tailor CBT techniques to your lived experience, empowering you to challenge negative cycles and build tools you can use long after therapy ends.
Trauma-Focused CBT is a highly effective approach I use to gently help clients unpack trauma in a way that feels safe, supported, and empowering. My focus is on helping individuals reclaim their narrative by breaking down how trauma may be influencing current emotions and patterns. Whether you're dealing with childhood trauma, relationship-based trauma, or military-related PTSD, I offer structured sessions that balance coping skill development with trauma processing, so we move at your pace, never faster than you’re ready.
In my work with couples, I focus on rebuilding connection, improving communication, and resolving cycles of conflict that may feel stuck or overwhelming. Drawing from evidence-based techniques, I help each partner feel heard and understood, while also guiding the relationship toward mutual growth and emotional safety. Whether you're navigating life transitions, trust ruptures, or day-to-day disconnection, my approach supports you both in fostering a stronger, healthier partnership grounded in empathy and clarity.
Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative and goal-oriented approach that helps you tap into your own inner strength and readiness for change. In our work together, I use MI to support you in exploring ambivalence and uncovering your personal motivations—whether you're managing a transition, coping with stress, or working toward healthier habits. This method isn’t about forcing change, but rather partnering with you to find clarity, confidence, and momentum on your own terms.
Grief is deeply personal and doesn’t follow a straight path. As a clinician trained in grief therapy, I support individuals navigating the emotional complexities of loss, whether that’s the loss of a loved one, identity, or life transition. Together, we create space to process pain at your own pace, while also exploring meaning, resilience, and ways to carry your grief without being defined by it. My role is to walk beside you, never rushing or judging, through one of life’s most profound experiences.