LP, 13 years of experience
I'm a Korean American psychologist with over 13 years of experience providing therapy. As a 1.5 generation immigrant who understands the pressures of high achievement and cultural expectations, I help clients navigate the gap between external success and internal fulfillment. I help clients explore emotional intimacy, career transitions, self-acceptance, and intergenerational trauma, with the aim of supporting their authentic identity beyond the roles they've been expected to fill. My approach validates the distinct cultural experiences of Asian Americans while providing tools to manage stress, build healthier relationships, and create a life that feels genuinely satisfying rather than just successful on paper.
Typically, there are two "first" meetings. The very first meeting is a brief (20 minute) consultation to introduce ourselves and gauge goodness of fit. It's usually the client's decision to work with me or not. It's rare that I decide that I am not a good fit for a client and usually it is specifically because of a client's need that I am not equipped to meet or because of scheduling conflicts. If we decide to proceed together, our first full session will focus on your current concerns, what you're hoping to achieve, and give you space to share your story if that feels safe at that time. Often, at the end of this session, we have an idea of an agenda for the next few sessions or at least the next session but that depends on the individual and the challenges they are currently facing.
My greatest strength is my capacity to support clients in deeper work to address the root causes of their problems. I do this through careful listening and interpretation and by asking thoughtful questions that move us towards greater clarity. I also provide direct and compassionate feedback when it is appropriate. Clients often tell me they feel truly seen and understood in ways they haven't experienced before and I believe cultivating that depth in the therapeutic space is my superpower. Also important: my sense of humor!
I'm a good fit for high-achieving Asian American women in their 30s and beyond who feel successful on paper but are struggling with deeper questions about fulfillment, authenticity, and good relationships. My clients might be dealing with cultural expectations, people-pleasing, anxiety when things don't go as planned, or questioning major life decisions around relationships, children, or career changes. These clients are typically ready to move beyond survival mode and cultural conditioning to explore what genuine happiness looks like.
The psychodynamic/psychoanalytic approach helps clients explore unconscious patterns and early relational experiences that are influencing their current difficulties. This process helps clients make sense of the past and their family of origin so that they can move forward in healthier and positive ways. The therapeutic relationship itself is a valuable source of information about how clients relate to others in their lives. I also pay close attention to defense mechanisms, recurring themes, and other issues in a person's internal world. Psychodynamic principles help my clients achieve a deeper level of change.
I prioritize understanding the unique cultural context of each person, including family dynamics, generational differences, and the impact of immigration or acculturation experiences or discrimination/racism on their mental health. When appropriate, I explore how cultural values and obligations intersect with individual therapeutic goals, working to find balance rather than imposing Western individualistic frameworks that may not be helpful or realistic.
I use a number of tools and interventions to support clients with managing day-to-day stress, anxiety, and challenging emotions or relationships. I tailor the skillset to the individual and their presenting concerns but they usually include lifestyle changes, mindfulness practice, breathing exercises, cold temperature exposure, bilateral stimulation, visualization, cognitive reframing, and self-compassion.