Kim’s Therapy Style
Person-Centered
Kim centers treatment on the belief that each person has the capacity and desire for growth and change. As a relational therapist, Kim strives for genuineness in the therapeutic relationship, and finds out what will support you in having satisfying relationships inside and outside the therapy space. She provides a “come as you are” approach for collaboration. We all have inherent strengths and intuition that Kim encourages and works to enhance during treatment.
Holistic
Kim considers the whole person during treatment, including a person’s intersecting identities, racial and cultural background, medical and health history, sexuality, gender expression, access to resources, relationship and familial considerations, and cultural and religious factors. She checks in regularly on every area of a person’s life in order to work with the “most up to date” version of ourselves.
Individualized
Kim selects therapeutic interventions that aligns with a person’s goals and values for treatment. Kim has been trained in trauma resiliency modalities, mindfulness and somatic practices, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques. Kim adjusts these strategies inside of a strength based, insight oriented approach while encouraging each person to express what strategies are most effective to their healing and growth.
FAQs & Answers from Kim
How do you view work with clients?
I believe that there are many ways to get to the same destination, and that has been true in my professional (and personal!) work. Although I am a therapist trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma resilience, and mindfulness, I value a trusting relationship between therapist and client most highly in the work I do.
I believe each person has their own agency to decide the direction and pace for treatment, and I serve as a collaborative guide during the process. I make an effort to incorporate strategies that feel most organic to each individual, and adjust or shift strategies if they no longer serve a person.
I recognize we are not taught all the skills we need to wrestle with life's toughest challenges. Many times we outgrow the coping strategies we depended on. We can pave a new path together.
What are you like during a therapy session?
I am an "active" therapist who engages in your process through conversation. My style aims to support each individual as they learn healthy patterns of interaction, manage distress and discomfort, and strengthen boundaries and intimacy. I believe everyone deserves to be fully seen, heard, validated and honored in their growth, pain, and healing. I recognize these aspects of people vocally in session, and am fully present as we navigate your healing together. As a former professor, I enjoy learning as much as I enjoy teaching. I incorporate psycho-education in my sessions, am transparent about my thought process, and provide resources to review between sessions.
What if it does not feel like a good fit?
This happens! It is primary importance that you find a therapist you feel is the best fit, and most comfortable, for you. I value open and transparent dialogue about what works and does not work for each individual in their healing process. If I am unable to provide the support or specialization required for your healing, I am happy to provide referrals for mental health providers that best fit each individual. We do not need to navigate our healing alone. I look forward to being a helpful guide or resource for you even if we do not engage in a working relationship in the therapy space.