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About Me
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I believe we all deserve a satisfying and meaningful life.
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Yet, for most of us, this is hard. We work, take care of our families, our homes, and sometimes even our elderly parents.
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Most of us don’t have the time, energy, or financial resources to “eat, pray, love” our way to a happier life.
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That’s where the power of therapy comes in. It’s more than talking about your feelings. Harnessing the power of therapy can change your life.
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How do I know? Because I’ve been there.
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There was a time when I felt stuck. I was working for a cutthroat law firm, running on auto-pilot. Living in Burnout City. I felt exhausted, unfulfilled, and depressed.
So I found a therapist who helped me pull back my defenses and understand what I wanted and needed from life. And the work we did paid off.
I felt more optimistic about life; I gained a greater sense of control; I became more honest with myself; and ultimately found the courage to leave my job for a more purposeful career in social work.
In 2012, I pursued a Master’s Degree in Social Work and have never looked back.
In my career, I’ve worked with people in every phase of life, and across the range of human experiences.
Young children with behavioral issues. Teens and twenty-somethings struggling with anxiety and depression. Baby-boomers grappling with unresolved trauma or life-changing medical issues. And everyone in between!
I’ve helped people learn, develop, and put into effect the necessary skills and knowledge to realize their life goals.
My Therapeutic Approach
As an adoptee from Korea, raised by a white family in suburban Rochester, I offer a unique perspective, grounded in my commitment to empathy.
I love what I do, and this inspires me to constantly work on honing my skills as a therapist. I rely on my knowledge, clinical experience, and therapeutic approaches to help you achieve your goals. I incorporate research-based techniques, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Processing Therapy, to help you tap into inner strengths and better navigate life's challenges.
We are all a product of our experiences.
My integrative approach recognizes that it's those experiences that make my clients who they truly are. Reflecting on your experiences is one of the best ways to start the path towards a better life.
Education and Training
I graduated in 2009 from Kenyon College with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies, and received my Master’s Program in Social Work at the University of Maryland in Baltimore in 2014.
During graduate school, I completed my clinical training in the Washington DC area at a reproductive health clinic and educational nonprofit.
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In my career, I’ve worked in various outpatient mental health settings, including a local health department in rural Maryland and a community mental health center in the heart of Rochester.
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Outside of my private practice, I practice at an adult outpatient mental health clinic affiliated with University of Rochester’s Strong Memorial Hospital.
I am a member of the National Association of Social Workers and vigorously adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics.
On a More Personal Note
When I’m not providing therapy, you’ll likely find me in the kitchen, cooking and experimenting with new recipes. And, of course, chowin’ down and feeding my loved ones.
I live in Brighton, New York with my husband, John, our young daughter, and with Otto, a shaggy, and mischievous Havanese pup.
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