Therapists in Irvine, CA

Are you feeling helpless in dealing with your child/teen emotional and behavioral issues? Do you feel lost in connecting with your child/teen? You want to help them but don't know how? I have been working with children, adults, and families for over 15 years to bring out their potential in mindfulness, creativity and relationships through individual and family therapy. Through this process, clients get to know themselves better, in a safe and supportive environment. I develop a therapeutic relationship based on their needs and goals. My experience includes treating individuals with depression, anxiety, anger, and trauma.

My therapeutic style and approach are a good fit for young adults, individuals, and couples who may be struggling with the challenges of life, mental health well-being, and relational/marital issues for couples. I put much effort into helping my clients navigate through these difficult chapters and build skills to allow them to feel better about themselves and develop a more positive outlook on life.

I believe that therapy is a sacred space where a client and therapist encounter to make transformative changes as a team. My indescribable joy as a therapist is to witness my clients rise from the misery of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, parenting issues, and troubled relationships. These are my specialties guided by a principle that St. Irenaeus best describes, “a human fully alive is the glory of God.” I help clients connect with their inner potential and resources and build effective coping strategies specific to the personality, lifestyle, and predicament.

I am grateful you are here; seeking counseling is a brave and intentional next step. Getting through this season, may require self examination in order to figure out alternate routes. I can help you discover and resolve barriers that impede on that path. Through support, empathy, partnership, and evidenced based practices we can work through this; it does get better.

Struggles in your relationship can be overwhelming and confusing where you're constantly arguing over small things and feel a growing distance as a couple. "How did things get to this point and how do I fix it?" I want you to know that I understand because I have been in your shoes. I know the pain and frustration that comes with feeling disconnected in a relationship

I am dedicated to providing personalized support for individuals struggling with a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma (EMDR Certified), sexual addiction, marital issues, substance addiction, and panic attacks. My comprehensive approach to therapy draws from a combination of evidence-based practices, including CBT, DBT, Psychodynamic, and solution-focused therapy, to help you achieve lasting results. I have over 8+ years of clinical experience, along with the best sexual addiction and trauma therapy training. You can trust that you are with a professional who has been trained at the highest-level institutions.

Relationships can be difficult to manage and maintain, and they can be a source of great discontentment. You are left wondering what happened, thinking "Why am I so lonely?" or "Why do I feel so distant from my partner?" Whether it is with an intimate partner, family members, friends, or even with yourself, relationships can leave you feeling unsettled, disconnected, stuck, and empty. Props to you for seeking out therapy! The fact that you are here shows that you want more fulfilling relationships and are willing to explore how to connect on a deeper level.

I specialize in the treatment of trauma & working with survivors of narcissistic abuse and emotional manipulation. I believe strongly in the importance of addressing the systems of institutional racism & systemic poverty that exist in our current society. I acknowledge racial trauma & the consistent traumatization which often results due to living as an ethnic minority in the U.S.

How do you feel about seeking help, especially for your mental and emotional health? Do you think it’s a sign of weakness? As a psychologist, I see it as a sign of strength, courage, self-awareness and maturity. I work with my clients to identify what they’re needing in order for them to improve their lives. I help people find the ways to change and experience personal growth and healing. I support my clients as they discover new aspects of themselves, which can be a challenging but rewarding process.

Dr. Young Ok Kim enjoys helping those facing diverse challenges such as: anxiety and depression, trauma (including growing up in an abusive family), self-esteem, attachment issues, struggles with loss and grief, relationship and family conflict, and spiritual struggles related to mental health. Particularly, she has a special heart for 1.5 and 2nd generation Asians and their parents who face difficulties related to the unique generational differences stemming from language and cultural barriers. She provides therapy in both English and Korean and she is licensed in California and Illinois.

As a psychologist and psychoanalyst I believe most of us can benefit from some treatment of psychotherapy/psychoanalysis. Human life can be challenging and our emotions turbulent and elusive. It is costly in every way to embark on a journey to self explore, but most people find the experience rewarding and invaluable.

We all go through emotional storms where we feel emotionally and physically stuck; we worry too much and lose control of ourselves. Do you find yourself thrown off balance by your childhood trauma? Childhood traumatic experiences such as abandonment, abuse, and neglect lead to social anxiety. My approach is solution-focused and tailored to your needs and goals. I am committed to providing a profound sense of safety and offering compassionate and actionable guidance to all my clients.

Are you feeling stuck? Sometimes, it can be confusing to even know why you feel this way or what's causing it, but you know that something just doesn't feel right anymore. Whether it's due to relationship issues, work stress, other life issues, or a combination of any/all of those, therapy can help provide relief and get you back to who you were/would like to be. This can mean looking to your past to help explain the present or identifying outdated roles and narratives that you are living by, which no longer serve you.

Sometimes, we feel stuck in negative personal/relational patterns; are reeling from a loss, hurt or other traumatic events; are navigating transitions/changes and desiring clarity and direction; are grappling with existential/spiritual questions; struggle with anxiety, depression, anger, and/or addiction; or, are struggling with family issues including cultural conflicts and abuse. I collaborate with individuals, couples, and families to discover positive and adaptive ways to move forward that are uniquely empowering and authentic to who they are.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your teen's mood swings or emotional outbursts? Are you concerned about your teen's risky behaviors or self-harm? Is your teen feeling lost, lonely, withdrawn, angry, anxious or depressed (or all of the above)? I’m passionate about helping teens make sense of why they feel the way they do! My work focuses on helping them heal from past hurts, identify strengths, learn healthy coping skills, and build meaningful relationships. By creating a safe and supportive environment, my goal is to help my clients lead resilient, fulfilling, and purposeful lives.

Depression, anxiety, family/relationship difficulties, stress management, school/job-related issues...

We often don't remember what was said, but we remember how we felt. My heart for my clients is to foster a safe space of trust that creates a foundation for honest and open conversations.

Like the seasons, our feelings and perspectives transition. Perhaps you find yourself in a transitional season and are dissatisfied with life, relationships, or feeling disconnected from the things you find most meaningful. Left unaddressed, unhealthy habits may ensue along with harrowing stress that interferes with your daily life.

Do you find difficulties with feelings of depression, anxiety, relationship/family problems, and trauma? These emotional disruptions can have a significant impact on our lives. Coping with these events requires various approaches, and I can assist you in recognizing your emotions and identifying possible patterns in your relationships. I can also help you develop resilience and acceptance towards challenging emotions, and support you in setting meaningful goals. I utilize EMDR, CBT, trauma-informed care, mindfulness, & person-centered therapy to reduce anxiety and trauma symptoms, foster resilience, and enhance the quality of life.