Therapists in Monrovia, CA

Dr. Young Ok Kim enjoys helping those facing diverse challenges such as: anxiety and depression, trauma (including growing up in an abusive family), self-esteem, attachment issues, struggles with loss and grief, relationship and family conflict, and spiritual struggles related to mental health. Particularly, she has a special heart for 1.5 and 2nd generation Asians and their parents who face difficulties related to the unique generational differences stemming from language and cultural barriers. She provides therapy in both English and Korean and she is licensed in California and Illinois.

Dr. Wei-Chin Hwang is a licensed clinical psychologist and professor of clinical psychology. He has two practice locations, one in Pasadena and one in Claremont, California. In his practice, he provides psychotherapy to adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families. Dr. Hwang has over 30 years of education, training, and experience in the field of psychology. He received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from UCLA (ranked #1 in clinical psychology) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. He is a professor at Claremont McKenna College (ranked #6 among liberal arts colleges in the U.S.).

Often my clients say they wished they didn’t need so much validation from others in order to have confidence or they want to be more assertive without feeling guilty. They feel strangely alone even in their relationships. Despite being capable & smart and having some degree of insight about how they were raised, people I treat know there is more to the story. Why do they have so much self-doubt or a harsh inner voice or look to others to say they're "okay”? This is where I come in. I help people dig deep into the stories & experiences that shaped them and how those influences sometimes hijack their way of thinking & sense of self.

I am an International Certified Psychoanalyst in private practice with over 25 years of extensive clinical and educational experience with adolescents and adults of different backgrounds and cultures with various concerns. Since opening the doors of my private practice, I have provided patients with a wide range of mental health services. From small-scale circumstances to traumatic experiences - my services are personalized to suit everyone’s needs. My ideal clients want to deepen their connection, improve communication skills, heal emotional wounds, and rediscover the joy of life.

When we are exposed to trauma at an early age, it can seriously impact how we feel about ourselves and our relationships with others. Trauma can also profoundly affect whether we feel this is a safe world and can contribute to depression, anxiety, and relational/familial issues. My practice is from a strengths-based, trauma-informed perspective with a non-judgmental framework. I aim to understand clients’ internal responses and to provide more options for emotional regulation and problem-solving.

Hi, my name is Stephanie Adams! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and have been in this field for 5 years. I have worked with young and older adults and specialize in anxiety, depression, and loneliness, using Cognitive Behavorial Therapy, and Strength-Based Practices, and Psychodynamic Therapy to help my clients start making positive changes and feeling better about themselves. My communication style is calm, thorough, transparent, and personable. I want my clients to feel comfortable when talking with me about anything, and I hold true to my ability to listen without judgment.

The process of finding a therapist can often be a daunting first step, and it can be difficult to know who to trust and who can help. A good fit with a therapist includes a feeling of safety and a belief that your therapist has the ability to help you. Clients who find themselves at home in my practice are people who experience chronic depression or anxiety, individuals with a history of family wounding, individuals with relationship or identity issues, couples with difficulty resolving arguments, teens in crisis, and those feeling stuck or in transition.

With over 20 years of experience, I work best with 3 types of people:

Our therapists can help you reduce anxiety and depression. You've probably always wanted to be able to feel calm in the midst of difficult situations, maybe for your whole life. But instead, you're losing sleep, relationships feel fragile, and feelings like depression and anxiety dominate your day, making normal tasks seem impossible. You need things to be different.

Are you feeling disconnected, stressed, stuck, scared, or angry? Are you repeating relationships, patterns, or situations and wishing you could break the cycle? Maybe life feels more frustrating or stressful than usual. Sometimes we aren't sure what causes our distress, but we know we're not reaching our potential for health, happiness, or success. And even if we know what the issue is, change can feel impossible. That's where our team of qualified professionals can help. Our job isn't to judge you or your choices, it's to help you understand the root causes of your issues and work together to create a custom plan for change.

People seek therapy with me for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is about something specific like a relationship problem, eating disorder, parenting issue, or many other human dilemmas. At other times it is because of general feelings of depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating or dissatisfaction at work or in their relationships. We can talk on the phone to determine what you need and then I will work closely with you to determine the best course of therapy.

Life can be very difficult and is often accompanied by many challenges. The feelings accompanied by these challenging times can be felt very intensely often hindering us in other aspects of our life. By exploring the challenges together, I want to help you find ways to tackle them and guide you towards a path of enjoying life and experiencing joy. I want to help you explore difficult times and find meaning in life, to empower you, and feel a sense of control that you might be yearning for. I want to help you move in a positive direction to feel worthy of the life you deserve.

In my practice, I am fascinated by the interplay between language and becoming. Are we just the stories we tell ourselves, or is there something more? I consider it an honor to sit with a client as we explore together the unknown of who they will become, breaking through versions of themselves that, for whatever reason, aren’t working for them, into a greater acceptance of what has been and a renewed curiosity of what can be.

We are passionate about empowering individuals, couples, and families improve their quality of life in the face of adversity. In this healing journey, therapy is a collaborative process where you discover your inner strengths that aids in overcoming life's challenges and promote personal growth. It is about helping you make connections, resolve issues at its roots, and heal in a safe nonjudgmental environment. Our expertise includes working with children, adolescents, and adults who struggle with depression, anxiety, behavioral problems, trauma, domestic violence, parenting, women's issues, men's issues, spirituality, and more.

Reach out now, I have some valued in-person appointments available. I understand that healing takes courage, and requires trust in the person from whom you are seeking help. I value integrity, wisdom, creativity, and empathic connection. My approach is strengths-based, collaborative and empowering. I enjoy helping you make sense of your past experience, live fully in the present moment, and dream about the future.

Welcome to my practice. I have been in practice since 2007 and have been featured on ABC, NBC, and KCAL as an expert psychologist. I work primarily with men who have hit “rock bottom” and would like help getting up. These men are often in crisis when we first meet. The issues I address are typically related to unhealthy sexual behaviors, infidelity, financial recklessness, gambling, drugs/alcohol, dishonesty/lying, and relational conflicts. My therapy approach is a combination of psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioral, and the 12-Step recovery model. I also share insight from my own painful but redemptive recovery journey.