(she/her)
Hi, I’m Kim, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Credentialed Addiction Counselor with over 15 years of experience supporting adolescents and adults through anxiety, depression, mood-related concerns, substance use, family conflict, and life stressors. I became a therapist because I value creating a space where people feel safe, heard, and supported while navigating difficult emotions and experiences. I believe meaningful change begins when clients feel comfortable enough to be honest about what they are carrying without fear of judgment. I also have over 14 years of experience working with individuals struggling with substance use and addiction. Throughout my career, I have supported clients navigating recovery, relapse prevention, emotional triggers, co-occurring mental health concerns, and the impact substance use can have on relationships, self-esteem, and daily functioning. I understand that recovery is not always linear, and I approach this work with compassion, accountability, and respect for each person’s individual journey. My approach to therapy is collaborative, supportive, and tailored to each client’s unique needs and goals. I utilize evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), person-centered therapy, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused therapy to help clients better understand patterns in their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. I also focus on emotional regulation, communication skills, boundary-setting, self-worth, and developing healthier coping strategies that clients can realistically apply outside of sessions. I strive to create a nonjudgmental environment where clients feel emotionally safe while also being supported in making meaningful and lasting changes. My goal is to help clients build self-awareness, strengthen coping skills, improve relationships, and develop healthier ways to manage life’s challenges while moving toward greater emotional wellness and stability.
During your first session, my goal is to help you feel comfortable, supported, and understood. I know starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if this is your first experience with counseling or if you have had difficult experiences opening up in the past. I approach the first session at a pace that feels manageable and collaborative, without pressure to share more than you are ready to discuss. We will spend time getting to know one another and talking about what brought you to therapy, the challenges you are currently experiencing, and what you hope to gain from the process. This may include discussing symptoms related to anxiety, depression, stress, mood changes, relationship concerns, family conflict, emotional overwhelm, or other life stressors that are impacting your daily functioning or emotional well-being. I will also ask questions about your background, support system, coping skills, current stressors, and any important life experiences that may help me better understand your needs and goals. The first session is not about judgment or having all the answers—it is about creating a safe space where you can begin to feel heard and supported. My approach is collaborative, meaning we work together to identify goals and develop a plan that feels realistic and meaningful for you. I often provide education about how therapy works, discuss coping strategies that may help between sessions, and begin exploring patterns in thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships that may be contributing to current difficulties. Clients often tell me they appreciate that sessions feel conversational, supportive, and grounded rather than overly clinical or rushed. I strive to create an environment where you can be honest about your experiences while feeling respected and emotionally safe. You can also expect us to discuss practical details such as scheduling, frequency of sessions, and any questions or concerns you may have about therapy. By the end of the session, we will typically identify initial goals and discuss next steps moving forward. Therapy is a process, and you do not have to have everything figured out before starting. My role is to support, encourage, and guide you as we work toward improving emotional wellness, strengthening coping skills, and creating meaningful, lasting change.
What stands out about my therapeutic approach is the balance between emotional support and practical change. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Credentialed Addiction Counselor, I strive to create a space where clients feel genuinely heard, emotionally safe, and supported while also helping them build concrete tools to manage anxiety, depression, mood-related concerns, addiction, family conflict, and everyday stressors. Clients often share that they appreciate being able to speak openly without feeling judged, rushed, or pressured. I bring 14 years of experience working with individuals struggling with addiction and substance use concerns. This experience has strengthened my ability to support clients navigating recovery, relapse prevention, emotional triggers, co-occurring mental health concerns, and the impact addiction can have on relationships, self-esteem, and daily functioning. I approach this work with compassion, accountability, and an understanding that healing is rarely linear. My therapeutic style is collaborative and individualized rather than one-size-fits-all. I integrate evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), person-centered therapy, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused therapy to help clients better understand patterns in their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. I also focus heavily on emotional regulation, boundary-setting, self-worth, communication skills, and developing healthier coping strategies that clients can realistically apply outside of sessions. I believe therapy should feel both supportive and productive. My goal is to help clients gain insight, feel more emotionally grounded, strengthen their relationships, and create lasting changes that support long-term emotional wellness and personal growth.
I work with adolescents and adults experiencing anxiety disorders, depression, mood disorders, adjustment-related stress, family conflict, self-esteem concerns, and emotional regulation difficulties. This includes clients struggling with generalized anxiety, panic symptoms, persistent worry, racing thoughts, irritability, low mood, lack of motivation, emotional overwhelm, relationship stress, and difficulty coping with life transitions or family dynamics. When working with anxiety, I help clients identify triggers, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, develop grounding and coping strategies, and reduce avoidance behaviors that keep anxiety cycles going. I often incorporate CBT techniques, mindfulness-based coping skills, and emotional regulation work to help clients feel more in control and present in their daily lives. With depression and mood-related concerns, I support clients in understanding how thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and life stressors interact. Therapy may focus on increasing motivation, improving self-worth, processing emotional pain, building routines, strengthening support systems, and reconnecting with activities and relationships that support emotional wellness. For clients experiencing family conflict or relationship stress, I help individuals explore communication patterns, boundary-setting, unresolved emotional wounds, and the impact family dynamics have on self-esteem, identity, and emotional functioning. My goal is to help clients develop healthier ways of communicating, responding to conflict, and caring for themselves emotionally while navigating difficult relationships. My approach is collaborative, supportive, and tailored to each client’s pace and goals. I strive to create a space where clients feel safe enough to be honest, understood, and supported while working toward meaningful and sustainable change.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and how these patterns impact their daily lives. My approach is practical and present-focused, guiding clients in identifying unhelpful thinking patterns such as self-criticism or worst-case thinking, and supporting them in developing more balanced, realistic perspectives. I work collaboratively with clients to build coping skills they can use both in and outside of session. This includes learning how to challenge negative thoughts, regulate emotions, and make intentional behavioral changes that support their goals. I aim to create a space that feels structured yet supportive, where clients can move at their own pace while developing tools that lead to meaningful, lasting change.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help clients explore their ambivalence and strengthen their own motivation for change. My approach is collaborative and nonjudgmental, creating a space where clients feel heard, understood, and supported in making decisions that align with their values. Rather than directing change, I guide clients in identifying their own reasons for growth, helping them build confidence in their ability to move forward. I use reflective listening, open-ended questions, and gentle exploration to help clients clarify what they want, what may be holding them back, and how they can take meaningful steps toward their goals. I aim to meet clients where they are, honoring their autonomy while supporting them in building readiness for change in a way that feels realistic and sustainable.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I use Person-Centered Therapy to create a safe, supportive space where clients feel genuinely heard, understood, and accepted without judgment. My approach is grounded in empathy, authenticity, and respect, allowing clients to explore their thoughts and emotions at their own pace. I focus on building a strong therapeutic relationship, trusting that when clients feel supported and valued, they are better able to access their own insight and capacity for growth. Rather than directing the session, I follow the client’s lead, offering reflection and validation to deepen self-awareness and emotional understanding. I aim to help clients reconnect with themselves, build confidence, and move toward meaningful change in a way that feels natural and aligned with who they are.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills into my work to help clients better manage overwhelming emotions, improve relationships, and build healthier coping strategies. My experience includes supporting individuals who struggle with anxiety, emotional dysregulation, stress, low self-esteem, and difficulty navigating interpersonal relationships. I often help clients develop practical DBT-based skills such as mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and effective communication. My approach focuses on helping clients feel more grounded, self-aware, and empowered while creating meaningful and lasting change at a pace that feels manageable and supportive.