Hello, I’m Esther!

I’m a Korean American therapist, former nurse, and program director with a passion for supporting individuals through life’s most challenging transitions. My journey began in healthcare, where I witnessed how deeply emotional and psychological well-being shape a person’s quality of life. That calling eventually led me to mental health counseling and clinical social work—and today, I offer compassionate, integrative therapy rooted in cultural sensitivity, mindfulness, and real-life experience.

Who I Help

You may be feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward. Perhaps you’re navigating caregiving burnout, life transitions, anxiety, or postpartum changes. Maybe you’re balancing multiple roles—as a parent, professional, or caregiver—while quietly carrying emotional stress you rarely speak about. I work with adults of all ages, especially:

• Individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, or the weight of cultural expectations
• Young adults going through transitional time, seeking clarity, self-understanding, and emotional resilience
• Postpartum mothers navigating the emotional and identity shifts of early motherhood
• Multigenerational households seeking more empathy and balance across cultural or age gaps
• Older adults and their families as they move through aging, caregiving, and changing roles
• Parents—including single parents—coping with burnout, family dynamics, separation, or divorce
• English- and Korean-speaking individuals and families looking to strengthen connection between parents and children, teens, or siblings

My approach is gentle yet practical. Together, we’ll explore what matters most to you, build emotional resilience, and create meaningful change—on your terms.

What Therapy With Me is Like

My style is warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental. Grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), I guide clients toward greater psychological flexibility—learning to sit with difficult emotions, identify unhelpful patterns, connect with personal values, and take small, actionable steps forward. I integrate mindfulness, culturally responsive care, and practical coping tools so therapy is not only healing, but also useful in everyday life.

I tailor each session to fit your evolving needs. As therapy progresses, we’ll continuously adjust our approach, ensuring you feel supported, empowered, and leave with tools and confidence that last beyond the therapy room.

If you’re experiencing anxiety, burnout, life changes, or postpartum concerns..

You may experience the feeling of being stuck or overwhelmed, often feeling disconnected from your values or struggling with a lack of clarity in your life. You may be dealing with anxiety, stress, or emotional burnout, and are unsure of how to move forward. You might be feeling lost in their roles as parents, caregiver, or professionals, struggling to balance your responsibilities with your own needs. The patterns you’ve been following may no longer serve them, and you’re looking to seek guidance on how to realign your life and make meaningful changes.

I help individuals and families navigate the challenges of life transitions, anxiety, depression, parenting or caregiving stress, and intergenerational dynamics. I provide a supportive space to process emotions, build resilience and create meaningful change. I also provide support for postpartum women as they navigate the emotional and mental health challenges of motherhood.

My leadership experience as a program director has given me insight into workplace stress, allowing me to help professionals and caregivers manage burnout and find balance. My holistic approach ensures that I address both emotional and practical challenges, empowering clients to create meaningful change in their lives.

Therapy for Elder Adults & Their Families

I work with a diverse population, with extensive experience in the older adult community, individuals with chronic illnesses, and caregivers navigating burnout and emotional strain. I am comfortable providing advocacy, support, and guidance to elder adult and family members, helping bridge understanding between generations. Whether it’s an aging adult facing loss of independence, a caregiver experiencing burnout, or families trying to navigate the aging process, my approach emphasizes creating a safe and compassionate space where individuals and families can navigate challenges, improve communication, and strengthen their connections. Given my firsthand experience as a single mother of two teenagers, I understand the complexities of parenting and family dynamics, making me particularly effective in supporting parents and adolescents.

More About Me

Growing up in a Korean American immigrant household, My childhood was shaped by a unique blend of cultures—navigating an Americanized school system while growing up in a Korean-speaking, tradition-centered home. That bicultural experience deeply informs the way I show up as a therapist today: with empathy, cultural sensitivity, and a deep understanding of what it means to live between worlds

I’m a mother of two teenagers and have spent over a decade working in senior care as a program director, supporting the Korean American elder community. In that role, I often bridged language and cultural gaps, providing care in both English and Korean. These experiences have given me insight into the emotional toll of caregiving, leadership, and burnout—especially for those navigating complex family roles or helping professions.

If you’re someone who feels pulled in many directions—between cultures, family expectations, or life responsibilities—I understand that weight. Whether you’re a new mother, a caregiver, a professional, or just trying to find your footing in a difficult season, I offer a warm, nonjudgmental space where you can slow down, reflect, and begin to realign with yourself.

Though I’m more on the introverted side, I’ve always been deeply drawn to people’s stories. I believe that understanding where you’ve been—your history, your roles, your struggles—is key to making sense of where you are today. I’ll meet you with curiosity and care, and if there’s something you’re passionate about, feel free to share it with me. I’m a lifelong learner and genuinely love learning from others—so don’t hesitate to teach me something new that you are passionate about.

Registered California Board of Behavioral Sciences Number: ACSW 128690

Supervised by Nadia Islam, PhD, LCSW 24725