My journey to Therapy:
I grew up in South Korea and came to the U.S. for graduate work and eventually stayed to further my training and clinical experiences and became a citizen a few years ago. I studied English Literature in my undergraduate work and became very interested in how people’s characters and personalities formed over time through relationships and life events. I furthered my education in Child Psychology in graduate school in Korea and came to the United States to pursue more clinical training. Later, I studied Marriage and Family Therapy at Fuller Theological Seminary where I learned to integrate spirituality and the science of psychology. I bring openness to any religious or spiritual questions and facilitate healing in this area.
Immigration and Diversity:
For many years, I was an international student and experienced the immigration process before becoming a citizen. During this time, I have developed more sensitivity to diverse issues, Asian Americans, the immigration process, and the acculturation experience. I have worked with South East Asian Refugees who suffered from Schizophrenia and PTSD in St. Paul, Minnesota. I also worked at a social service agency where we provided volunteers for inner-city residents living in housing projects most of whom were recent immigrants from the MIddle East.
For the last 19 years, I have worked at a community mental health agency in Pasadena as a therapist and a supervisor for therapists. We worked with families who try to build a better life and future for themselves despite having a multi-generational history of addiction and other persistent challenges.
I love working with cross-cultural couples and families. I have many years of experiences in working with immigrant families, couples with a different cultural or religious background, and couples who are sexual minorities.
Couples Therapy:
With all my work with children and their families, naturally, I have arrived at looking at the beginning of relationship patterns starting from the couple’s relationships. While searching for a solid couples therapy model, I became very interested in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples (EFT) and started getting extensive training since 2016 and became certified in EFT Couples Therapy. Please read the couples therapy tab for more information. With compassion and understanding, I work with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.
For Couples:
Work
Foothill Family Service as a therapist and a supervisor for 19 years, Pasadena, CA
Metropolitan Community Mental Health, St. Paul, MN
Education
- Fuller Theological Seminary, MS, Marital and Family Therapy, Pasadena, CA
- Minnesota State University, MS, Mankato, MN
- Seoul Women’s University, MA, Seoul Korea
- Soongsil University, BA, Seoul, Korea
Additional Training
- Extensive training in Self-Psychology and Object Relations
- Certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for Children and Adolescent
- Certified in Discernment Counseling
- Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couple: Externship, Core Skill and other extensive training
- Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist