Hello, I’m Esther!

My background as a nurse and later as a program director in adult day health care allowed me to see the profound impact that emotional and psychological support can have on individuals. Over time, I realized that I wanted to provide deeper, more meaningful guidance, leading me to pursue clinical social work. Now, as a psychotherapist, I am passionate about helping others build resilience, find purpose, and create meaningful change in their lives.

I help individuals who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from their values break free from self-doubt and emotional struggles by guiding them towards psychological flexibility. Through a compassionate, nonjudgmental, and deeply present therapeutic approach, I empower my clients to embrace their emotions, clarify their values, and take meaningful action toward a more fulfilling life.

안녕하세요? 저는 심리 상담자 에스더 김 입니다 .진정성을 가지고 삶에 장애물을 극복하고 개인적인 도전을 헤쳐 나갈수 있도록 여러분을 돕고 있습니다. 판단 없는 공간에서, 고객분들의 불안과 우울한 생각들을 관리하는 데 지원하며 감정을 열린 마음으로 탐색하도록 격려합니다. 마음챙김 기법을 통해 저는 고객들이 진정한 자신을 발견하고 개인적인 목표를 이루는 방향으로 이끌며, 더 큰 자기의 인식, 평화, 그리고 성취감을 위한 길을 만들어 드리겠습니다.

What Therapy With Me is Like

My therapy approach is compassionate, client-centered, and deeply integrative. With a foundation in ACT, my focus is on helping clients develop flexibility, guide them to accept their emotions, clarify their values, and take meaningful actions towards a fulfilling life. I am nonjudgmental and collaborative in creating safe spaces where clients feel heard and supported. I like to integrate mindfulness, and practical coping strategies to ensure that therapy is both insightful and actionable.

Therapy process should be uniquely tailored to your needs. Using ACT, we’ll work on creating psychological flexibility, identify unhelpful patterns, and develop practical coping strategies. I will help provide a supportive space for growth and action and as therapy progresses, where the you and I will refine our approach based on the your progress, ensuring that you leave with the tools and confidence to create lasting positive change.

Therapy for Adults

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 family members, helping bridge understanding between generations. 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.

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 caregivers, parents, 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 older adults, caregivers, families, and young individuals navigate the challenges of life transitions, anxiety, depression, caregiving stress, and intergenerational dynamics. Whether it’s an aging adult facing loss of independence, a caregiver experiencing burnout, or a young person struggling with identity and emotional well-being, 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.

More About Me

I am a Korean American immigrant who moved to the U.S. with my family at the age of seven. Growing up, my education and childhood were shaped by an Americanized environment while being deeply rooted in a Korean cultural home. For the past 10 years, I have worked closely with the Korean American senior population, often bridging language and cultural gaps by communicating in both English and Korean.

I am definitely more on the introverted side, but I’ve always been deeply interested in people and their stories. I love learning about where someone has been, what paths they’ve taken, and how that has shaped who they are today. I believe that understanding someone’s history is key to understanding their present. I am also a lifelong learner, whether it’s through formal education, personal experiences, or just listening to others. I’ll always take an opportunity to expand my knowledge, so if there’s something you’re passionate about, feel free to explain it to me like I’m five. I’ll be genuinely excited to learn!

Registered California Board of Behavioral Sciences Number: ACSW 128690

Supervised by Nadia Islam, PhD, LCSW 24725