Therapists in Santa Monica, CA

Struggling with addiction. Survivor of trauma. Creative. Do at least two of these three describe you? If you're struggling to get sober, you're fearful about the impact sobriety might have on your creativity (and life in general). If you're in early sobriety, you're trying to gain your footing in a new landscape. If you're a trauma survivor, you're confused as to why your insight & sensitivity aren't helping you get to that light at the end of the tunnel. What do you do if your pain is too great to manage on your own?

Are you hoping to find a solution out of a specific problem? Are you looking to make improvements in your life but just don't know where to start? Do you struggle coping with a chronic illness or chronic pain disorder? Do you find yourself feeling "stuck", unmotivated, or unable to experience the same joy as before? Are you constantly worried about something bad happening? Are you having difficulty sleeping? Have you experienced a loss, whether it's the death of a loved one or the loss of a future life you imagined? Is your relationship on the rocks or suffered broken trust? Is anxiety taking over your life?

Thank you for your interest. You are probably here looking for help dealing with problems of living, loving, and working. Psychotherapy is an effective way to learn to cope better with thoughts, feelings, and experiences which may rob you of the joy of living.

Throughout our lives, we encounter a number of spaces where we feel our voices silenced. Continual experiences of being quieted can lead us to internalize messages that we don’t have the permission to speak – questioning whether or not to start therapy is no exception to this. As a queer, Korean-Japanese American, there have been countless times when I’ve been told that I’m not man enough, that I’m unfit for love, and that I don’t have a story to be heard. Much of my work is informed by the idea that, in order for us to heal, we must first feel like our perspective matters and that our struggles are deserving of support.

I am an integrative psychologist with expertise in psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, & gestalt approaches. I believe in empowering others to honestly get to know themselves & clarify their needs so they can make choices that enhance relationships & bring them closer to their goals. I work with children & adults with past traumatic experiences, interpersonal difficulties, anxiety, & depression. I conduct comprehensive psychological testing to address questions related to Giftedness, ADHD, Mood/Personality, Learning Challenges/Need for Accommodations, Intellectual Ability, Learning/Memory, Attention/Executive Functioning, Etc.

Many people shy away from asking for help when in emotional and psychological pain. It is not easy to ask for help. Perhaps there are feelings of shame underlying the recognition of one's vulnerability. But in essence these are the times that important and life-altering changes can occur. I am invested in establishing a safe, supportive, and truthful interaction with you towards improving your life, your choices, and your relationships, & have over 25 years of experience as proof. The concerns that I have worked with extensively include depression, anxiety, grief, life transitions, substance-abuse, adjustment, crisis intervention, & individuation.

CONNECT WITH YOURSELF TO CONNECT WITH THE WORLD AROUND YOU." I believe that therapy is a means to illuminate your internal world while helping you to connect with others. Through dialogue, our sessions will focus on clarifying your understanding of your own experiences. This can be the beginning of learning how to simply be with yourself and make meaning of yourself in the world.

Are you struggling with how you show up in relationships? Are you needing to explore yourself within the context of a relationship? Are you finding yourself repeating the same patterns from one relationship to the next? Self-work is just one side of relationship coaching. On the other side, there is couple’s work. Are you and your partner facing challenges that you can’t seem to resolve? Do you have a hard time expressing or receiving love? Do you struggle with intimacy issues (physical and emotional connection) that prevents you to grow closer and attach on a deeper level? If you have answered YES to any, you’re in the right place.

Are you feeling stuck, wanting more and not knowing how to have more. Where’s the perfect relationships, the job of your dreams……success? Are you overwhelmed by a critical voice that repeats your imperfections reminding you that you are not good enough does that voice keep you from experiencing joy, love acceptance, success. NOW is your opportunity to get rid of the negative voices that holds you hostage I can help you figure out what your needs and wants are and how to get them met. I have been doing this for thirty years. Take the risk and invest in yourself, you will not be sorry. You are entitled to be happy.

Pacific MFT Network is a group of highly skilled, diverse, and well-trained therapists. Our mission is to empower you to live the life you want. We do so by creating supportive, caring, and non-judgmental relationships with our clients. We work to provide you with the best care possible and reduce obstacles to participation. Additional benefits to working with us include a unique concierge billing service and a wide range of scheduling options (all weekdays, weekends, day and evening appointments are available). We work with children, teens, and adults of all ages.

Congratulations on taking action! We both know that if things are going to change for you in a positive direction, you will need to be brave, open-minded and willing to do things you have resisted doing for one reason or another. I can be most helpful in that regard. Now is the perfect time. Your life is about to change dramatically. Together, in a collaborative and supportive relationship, we will identify your critical needs, uncover and resolve resistances, and map out the incremental steps to getting your needs met. Make the call that will change your life.

Being human is exciting and beautiful... and challenging! My work is grounded in respect and empathy for how individuals, couples, and families pave a path in life. Together we make change possible by bringing your unique, personal knowledge and experience into awareness, and then moving through the stuckness of unkind thoughts or feelings of powerlessness before problems. Together we will work to reconnect you to the whole experience of being human: feeling emotions, attuning to thoughts and beliefs, creating healthy relationships, and recognizing you whole life story is one of strength, resilience and moments of joy.

Are you facing challenges with your relationships, career, or feel overwhelmed with stress, anxiety, depression, grief or life in general? Are you having an identify crisis, getting stuck in the past, repeating old patterns or pre-occupied with the future? I want you to know that you are not alone and I would love to help you. Together, we can collaborate to find solutions for a happier and more fulfilled life. It is of utmost importance to me to create a warm, empathic and accepting space for clients to explore and express themselves.

Are you struggling with behavior patterns that no longer serve you? Are feelings of stress and anxiety overwhelming you? Are you immersed in persistent negative thoughts? Let’s collaborate to ease these obstacles, and help you move towards well-being, calm, and more fulfillment.

The lotus flower blooms most beautifully from the deepest and thickest mud. What is your personal mud? My goal is to help you with deep self-exploration while developing ways to navigate and bloom through the mud in your life. My diverse, expansive training allows me the opportunity to authentically meet my clients and support them in their therapeutic journey using an integrative, collaborative, and trauma-informed approach. Whether it be related to difficult emotions like anxiety and depression, nuances of grief and trauma, debilitating existential crises and illness, or personal and professional relationship challenges.

It is the goal of us all to have the chance to live in the wonder of our real selves. But we often find ourselves in an outside life that doesn't match the inside one. We can spend years struggling with making decisions, dealing with sadness and anger, anxiety and grief, as well as distrust, fear and longing, all overwhelming feelings and the behavior that goes with them, not knowing how to change but knowing we must. My job is to help you get back to and live the wonder that is the real you.

From my past experiences in athletics, I have seen the power that the right guidance can have on achieving goals. As a therapist, I aim to be that guide for my clients. Starting with practical tools to relieve stress and then digging deeper to develop greater insight makes long-lasting, meaningful change possible. I especially enjoy working with young adults transitioning into the professional realm who would like to build confidence, develop healthy relationships, cultivate a work/life balance, achieve performance goals, heal past trauma, and navigate stressful “adulting.”

I know that finding the right therapist can be an overwhelming process. In my over 20 years of clinical practice, I create a safe, nurturing space where we can actively engage in the process of self discovery together. I am passionate about this work. I believe that lasting change can come from recognizing often unconscious, repetitive patterns that empower us to make healthier life choices. I have experience with creative professionals and understand the ups and downs of being an industry professional. I look forward to our journey together.