Wellness & Empowerment Psychotherapy
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Wellness & Empowerment Psychotherapy
As one of the owners of Wellness & Empowerment Psychotherapy, I am deeply passionate about supporting individuals on their path to mental wellness and personal growth. I’m a seasoned psychotherapist, with extensive experience working with LGBTQIA+ clients, those who have been impacted by trauma, and individuals with severe mental disorders (such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and co-occurring substance abuse disorders w/ mental illness). My practice is rooted in a phase-based trauma model, and I integrate therapeutic modalities such as LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to provide customized support to my clients. I firmly believe in the power of a welcoming and supportive environment to empower those dealing with the complexity of trauma. My dedication lies in creating an empathetic and knowledgeable space that nurtures personal development and well-being for my clients.
As a licensed professional counselor, my practice extends across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. I hold a doctorate degree in Counselor Education and Supervision and have spent over 25 years committed to the fields of leadership, supervision, and counseling in a variety of behavioral health environments. Throughout my career, I have had the honor of instructing both master’s and doctoral students at local universities. My teaching portfolio includes a broad spectrum of subjects such as Counseling Theories, Ethical Decision Making, Affirmative Psychotherapy with LGBTQIA+ Clients, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning for Mental Health Professionals, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. My professional journey extends beyond academic instruction, deeply rooted in my experiences with the LGBTQIA+ community. I have channeled my passion for inclusivity into the creation and research of the LGBTQ Belonginess Attainment Scale, which reflects my commitment to advocacy through my work.
In my role as an educator and leader, my passion for mentorship shines through as I strive to mentor and foster the professional skill development of the next generation of therapists to work effectively with all clients.
With an MSW from the National Catholic School of Social Service at Catholic University, I have dedicated over 20 years of my life to the fields of mental health, substance use, and trauma. My work is deeply rooted in a commitment to help those who have faced some of life’s most daunting challenges. As a psychotherapist, I have cultivated a specialty in supporting survivors of childhood and adult sexual trauma. The trust and progress made in these sensitive areas of therapy are the pillars of my practice.
I strive to create a safe, nurturing environment where my clients can explore their experiences and begin the healing process. Dealing with substance use disorders is another area where I bring my expertise to bear. Through a combination of evidence-based techniques and a keen understanding of my clients’ individual needs, I facilitate recovery and self-discovery, helping them to find their way toward a healthier, substance-free life.
My understanding of mental health is comprehensive, addressing various conditions from anxiety to mood disorders. In our sessions, I focus on equipping my clients with the tools and insights necessary to manage and improve their mental health, ensuring each person feels heard, valued, and understood. Another passion of mine is assisting individuals navigating the complexities of life transitions. Whether these transitions are personal, professional, or relational, I am here to guide my clients through these changes with support and encouragement, validating their experiences and empowering them on their journey. Lastly, I recognize the silent struggle of caregivers, having seen the challenges they face first-hand.
My approach is to offer a supportive space for caregivers to express their needs and feelings, urging the importance of self-care as essential to maintaining their own health and the well-being of those they look after. In my practice, I bring empathy, experience, and an unwavering belief in the resilience of the human spirit. I am here as your ally, your therapist, and your support in pursuit of healing and personal growth.
The core of my approach is a commitment to fostering self-understanding and enhancing interpersonal connections. Since 2015, I have devoted myself to working with individuals and groups, with a focus on supporting healthy relationships. Working with couples has been a natural continuation of these experiences as I partner with each couple to identify how they can each develop skills that aid their success as a team.
I have an integrative therapeutic approach, rooted in a variety of evidence-based modalities including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, and Brief Solution Focused Therapy. Each of these modalities provides a unique framework and set of skills that I tailor as we collaborate on the strategies that work best for you.
My expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of mental health concerns, including the intricacies of trauma, substance use, and domestic violence. I have experience working in community based mental health, psychiatric crisis, integrated health care settings, and private practice. This variety of experience allows me to integrate a broad range of life factors including my client’s environment, culture, spirituality, background, health, and social supports into our sessions.
I look forward to connecting with you to learn more about your goals and how I can support your understanding of yourself and your connection with your partner!
As a therapist with a foundation in the relational forms of psychodynamic and humanistic therapy, I firmly believe in the centrality of the therapeutic relationship. This bond is vital to enabling healing and growth within my clients. My approach to therapy is flexible and dynamic, with a harmonious integration of tools from diverse psychotherapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Psychoanalysis. This eclectic mix allows me to customize therapy to the unique needs and circumstances of each individual or couple.
I have a particular strength in connecting with clients who have not felt understood or who haven’t been able to establish a therapeutic connection in previous attempts. My expertise in navigating the tough terrain of high-conflict couples therapy stands out as one of my practice’s unique features. I am skilled at discerning the layered complexities that each couple brings and at guiding them through to a place of greater understanding and resolution.
My practice is devoted to working with adults and couples exclusively. We begin with an exploration to identify behavior, thought, and emotion patterns that may no longer be beneficial, or may never have been beneficial. This process is crucial whether the issue at hand is deeply entrenched, a response to a current life challenge, a crisis, or a wish to deepen self-awareness. Therapy serves as a healing journey, as well as a path to illuminate those parts of the self that remain hidden or underdeveloped.
I specialize in a variety of clinical interests including couples and marriage counseling, relationship and intimacy issues, personality disorders, depression and mood disorders, anxiety, the experience of loneliness and alienation, grief, trauma and PTSD, navigating through life transitions, overcoming creative blocks, and aiding clients in their pursuit of identity and self-knowledge. It is my personal dedication to foster a therapeutic space that not only provides relief from distress but also champions the pursuit of self-discovery and personal evolution.
I support clients’ healing goals through self-compassion and mindfulness skills. Through compassionate reflection on relationships with self, family, friends, and society, I work with clients to identify and heal patterns of painful self-talk; patterns that can make us feel stuck and overwhelmed. I specialize in anxiety, depression, and trauma and have served diverse clients of all races, genders, and sexual orientations. As a mixed race Korean-American who has worked domestically and abroad, I also welcome the opportunity to work with clients facing challenges related to culture, identity, and intergenerational issues.
My work is Internal Family Systems (IFS) informed and if you’ve ever felt like you can’t think our way out of something, I have experience incorporating body-based and nervous system approaches to address the effects of trauma and other formative experiences in our bodies. I believe in co-creating a conversational therapy space to support your needs, goals, and authenticity. If you think self-compassion or mindfulness could support your healing goals, please reach out! I’d love to chat with you about your goals and answer any questions.
I received a Master’s in Education from George Mason University in Counseling and Human Development, with a concentration in Community Agency. My clinical experience includes supporting clients through a wide variety of challenges, such as anxiety, depression, career development, academic stressors, negative self-esteem, grief, developmental trauma, boundaries, identity, and motivation. In October 2023, I completed a 6 month certificate course on Felt Sense to further my knowledge of incorporating non-pathologizing, trauma-informed body-based approaches.
Additionally, I have experience supporting clients with international backgrounds and heritage, having worked abroad with youth and adults learning English as a foreign language. As an educator, I facilitated increased learning outcomes and reduced behavioral issues by focusing on the development of community building classroom practices to move students out of survival flight-fight-freeze responses into a state of empowerment.
Building on a strong educational foundation with a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from George Mason University and a Ph.D in education organization & policy studies from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I am a psychotherapist truly invested in the mental health and well-being of my clients. My professional path has been as diverse as it has been rewarding, bringing me experiences from work with the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to providing support within communities of homeless individuals and immigrants. These roles have greatly enhanced my perspective on the resilience of the human spirit and the critical role of empathy and understanding in the therapeutic process.
My approach to therapy is multifaceted, drawing from a solid grounding in behavioral techniques and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is complemented by my advanced training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness practices, and a range of other evidence-based strategies. I am particularly skilled in utilizing Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, an approach that enables clients to tap into their inner resources for self-compassion and healing. I consider it a profound honor to assist individuals in their pursuit of personal growth and to support them as they tackle and triumph over life’s difficulties.
Embracing a person-centered and collaborative framework, my practice is finely tuned to the cultural diversity and individual stories of those I work with. I remain committed to the diverse LGBTQIA+ community, ensuring an inclusive, affirming, and safe space for all clients. My dedication extends to those grappling with anxiety, depression, trauma, the unique pain of losing a child, challenges to self-esteem, and relational complexities. The aim is always to create a nurturing environment where hope and empowerment can flourish, guiding clients on their transformative path to a more rewarding and meaningful existence.
I am a compassionate therapist with a heartfelt interest in guiding clients through the complexities of relationship and communication challenges, anxiety, self-esteem issues, severe mental illness, and life transitions. I hold a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from James Madison University. My professional path has been enriched by the privilege of working with clients from diverse backgrounds in various therapeutic settings, including inpatient and community-based mental health environments.
My approach to therapy is grounded in empathy, unconditional acceptance, and authenticity. Believing that therapy should be tailored to each person’s unique situation, I draw from a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, and mindfulness-based techniques. I place a high value on understanding and honoring the cultural context of each individual’s experiences, as this is key to effective and personalized treatment.
I hold a deep conviction that all clients possess the ability to grow and evolve beyond their current circumstances. My goal is to partner with my clients in a collaborative process that not only aims to meet their immediate goals but also creates a safe and supportive environment to foster long-term personal development. With a commitment to professional excellence and human understanding, I am dedicated to walking alongside my clients on their journey to self-discovery and improved well-being.
