About me
My approach is informed by evidence-based treatments while embracing the cultural and sociopolitical contexts within your lived experiences to support your unique needs in therapy. This means I flexibly apply the core principles of evidence-based treatments (vs. the “by-the-book” approach that may not be sensitive to these contextual factors). I strive to amplify your inner strengths and wisdom by providing a non-judgmental, compassionate, and encouraging therapeutic space. Within this, my intention is to empower you to lead your own life with confidence and ease in a way that is authentic to you even when your path does not follow prescripted messages of what your life should look like.
How my lived experiences shape me as a psychologist
I was born and raised in South Korea. South Korea is mostly racially alike with a shared, homogeneous culture; therefore, diversity and social justice-related values as we understand it in the United States were under-appreciated. Growing up in Korea, many of my identities including Korea-born, Korean as my primary language, and being a cisgender person were part of a dominant group, although I also held identities in the minority group such as being a woman. I was privileged to be unaware of the many challenges experienced by individuals with backgrounds different from mine. With the complex social structure of the United States, many of my identities have shifted to those of minority - woman of color, non-majority Korean ethnicity, first-generation immigrant, and English as a second language speaker. This personal experience has allowed for vast personal growth that shaped my commitment to cultural humility and social justice in my work as a psychologist.
Areas of expertise
Adult ADHD
Addiction
Trauma/PTSD
Identity-based stress & BIPOC mental health
Immigrant experience & related identity development issues
Coping with difficult life events/stressors
Support in exploring important life decisions & actions
Treatment orientations
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
Trauma-focused treatments including Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure
Patient-centered, strength-based approach
Licensure
Psychologist, PY61224141 (Washington State)
PSYPACT/APIT Mobility # 23567
Languages I offer
English
Korean
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Clinical Psychology, Indiana University - Purdue University, Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Masters of Science (MS), Clinical Psychology, IUPUI
Bachelor of Science (BS) with High Honors, Psychology, University of Maryland
Advanced Specialty Training
Postdoctoral Clinical Fellowship, Addiction Treatment Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System - Seattle
Clinical Psychology Internship/Residency, Integrated Primary Care Track, University of Washington School of Medicine
Research Experience
Research Grants & Fellowships
F31 Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award, National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
T32 Predoctoral Institutional National Research Service Award, NIH/NIAAA
Post-Baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award, Cognitive Neuroscience & Psychopharmacology Section, Neuroimaging Branch, NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse
Awards
Clinical Psychology Award for Research Excellence, IUPUI (given to one graduate student to recognize outstanding performance in research)
MAGS/Proquest Distinguished Thesis Award - Social Science area (given to one master’s thesis to recognize distinguished scholarship and research at the master’s level among 120+ member institutions in Midwest)
University Distinguished Master’s Thesis Award, IUPUI (award recognizing the highest evaluated “truly outstanding” thesis)
Publications (see my GoogleScholar profile, select publications hyperlinked)