about the journey
individual counseling with kim
In counseling I take a narrative, person centered, and trauma informed approach. Essentially this means I’m excited to hear about your story, the relationships and systems in which you live, and how you fit in amongst them. We begin gently, by practicing how to identify and sit with feelings, before diving down deep into where they show up, what they tell us, and what they need in order to move forward.
There is no one path or one right way of doing the work we do in therapy. While my work is inspired by certain perspectives and evidence-based practices, such as Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), I always allow therapy to be what you need it to be and take the shape of the interpersonal therapeutic relationship that we develop together.
holistic
Therapy is most helpful and sustainable when it considers who you are as a whole person, not just in reference to one feeling, one experience, or one event. Your physical health and abilities play a role in your mental health. Who you are as a member of your community, your workplace, your family and family of origin, and how you move through the world are all important parts of your mental well being.
embodied
We live much of our lives in our heads. For many of us, it becomes a safe place when our bodies feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or unworthy. However, it is in and through our bodies that we experience life. Our physical sensations, our guts, our whole being is just as much part of our mind and life as our metaphysical souls are. Not only will we dive in to the depth of work from your past, but we'll practice experiencing how emotions, trauma, and history still show up and affect you through your body in each day.
mindful
Often when we are in our heads, where we really are is in the past or in the future. We dwell in the depths of emotion and refuse to accept things that have already come and gone, or we agonize in worry over what is still to come. In reality, all we have access to is the very moment we are in. It is through mindful observation, awareness, and participation in that present moment that we can find peace and love and joy. Mindfulness is not all about meditation and yoga (although those are also great!), it is about the way we engage in the world around us, rather than retreating always to the world inside of us.
grounded
Overall, the goal of our work and therapy is to find the path to the most authentic version of yourself, grounded in your reality, your values, and the world around you.
scheduled a chat,
and see if we’re a good fit!