I grew up in East San José, California, in a vibrant immigrant community overflowing with playfulness, rhythm, and resilience. The love and sacrifice of my family enabled me to pursue my dreams, becoming the first woman in my immediate family to complete high school, college, and grad school. I use she/her pronouns and identify as a woman of color with Filipino and Mexican ancestry. I feel alive hiking with my loved ones, salsa dancing, and enjoying my favorite cuisine—Japanese Hot Pot. I am passionate about providing a radically strengths-based approach to youth, families, and adults in therapy. As someone who embodies both privileged and oppressed identities, I strive for constant self-reflection to continuously grow and reduce the harm I can cause as a service provider. I affirm people of all gender identities, sexual orientations, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, religious creeds, physical abilities, and beyond. ***Prospective clients are welcome to contact me for scheduling requests through Grow, my professional website (www.kimberlin-therapy.com) or via my HIPAA-compliant email at info@kimberlin-therapy.com. Please note that my availability is not always publicly displayed.***
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
We'll begin our session by reviewing my therapy services, policies, and technology, to ensure we're aligned and there are no unexpected surprises. Following this, I'll guide you in a conversation about your goals, strengths, and areas of concern. This first session aims to establish a comfortable rapport while getting a sense of our goals together. In subsequent sessions, we'll delve into your personal experiences and significant relationships at your pace. Whether you're prepared to explore painful memories deeply or prefer to focus on present-day goals, I'll provide a safe space for our work together. When working with teens and families, I start off with a family meeting. This helps me build a safe relationship with all involved. I strive to facilitate a comfortable first meeting, in which we will talk about your family's strengths, goals, and main concerns. Subsequent meetings will involve a mix of parent, child, and family meetings.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
With over 8 years of experience, I've supported youth, adults, and families through various challenges, including abuse, homelessness, extreme conflict, separations, and systemic oppression. My expertise lies in creating a safe space for those who have experienced harm, including at the hands of service providers and systems. My approach is radically strengths-based, meaning I'll never judge you, even for behaviors that induce harm. This sense of safety allows us to tackle the root causes of these behaviors and explore alternatives effectively.