Racial Identity

As a person of color raised in the U.S., I understand it is extemeley difficult and traumatizing to deal with the daily issues that racism and systemic racism create. I work with individuals that seek to understand how their racial identity humanizes and empowers their being in this world.

Through my own journey and working with others I know the challenges facing those with mixed or complex identities. So many people can't know how the world, even family, is going to treat them at any given moment and it's exhausting. Some of us are fluent in two or more cultures that don't feel compatible. Also exhausting. Increasing your own inner resources will help you find you relief in a world that wants labels on everyone.

Master's emphasis in counseling urban youth, experience working with BIPOC communities, personal and professional experience as a black woman, continuing education in race-based trauma.

Much of my graduate level research and training has been in understanding the complex racial identity development of people of color and White individuals. My dissertation research included examining how Black clients responded to White therapists who overtly broach cross-racial differences in the therapy session.

You are enough... period. So many BIPOC folks are told that we have to act one way or another or live in a binary of racial stereotypes. Many of my clients want a space where they can JUST BE THEMSELVES. In my practice, my job is to see you in all your nuance. Whether you're firm in your identity or you are struggling to feel confident in your own skin. We'll work together to focus on what's most important for your identity journey in an affirming and supportive space.

The focus of our practice is work with people who have been stigmatized due to otherness. Often this is the result of systemic oppression. In addition, we have experience working with people trying to make sense of who they are due to issues surrounding transracial adoption.

As a Black therapist, I will give you the space to process your identity and racial trauma, as well as, any challenges that come with navigating a white supremacy society.

As a therapist of multiracial and multicultural background, I have experienced the push and pulls of celebration my culture alongside being ashamed of other parts. Navigating these many lines can be tricky, however I believe that through a collaborative conversation, we can honor ourselves and our identities in a way that makes sense to us.

In the U.S., colonization and imperialism have functioned to extract power and voice from many. As a result, the line between trauma & culture for many folks of color (especially Black & Indigenous) can become blurred. My approach is rooted in celebrating & exploring identities, and understanding how our stories can nourish connection to self and others.

Today’s cultural climate is taxing. Your life matters. Through the Woods offers counseling that’s sensitive to cultural issues and the experiences of people of color. Counseling at Through the Woods lets you process trauma, think out loud in a safe place, and truly feel seen. Let your experience be witnessed.

I am a mixed raced/Black person. Living in this body has come with lots of experiences connected to race. Unfortunately, I have experienced more than my fair share of racism in my life. However, I also have a White mother and have experienced some light-skinned privilege. In short, I am no stranger to exploring and processing racialized experiences. I am excited to work with people seeking to express and step into their full selves and welcome client of all racial backgrounds.

As I transitioned from being Korean to Korean-American, there was a lot of questioning of my racial identity. Throughout the past 30+ years, I have intensely reflected on matters of belonging, acceptance, self-worth, and authenticity. This is an ongoing journey to feel secure in who I am, as I evolve in various life roles, which includes being a mother, a wife, a daughter to aging parents, and a therapist.

I work with racial trauma in my practice. I am the child of immigrants and I draw upon my lived experience and professional training to create a safe and healing environment.

Today’s cultural climate is taxing—your life matters. Through the Woods offers counseling that’s sensitive to cultural issues and the experiences of people of color. Counseling at Through the Woods lets you process trauma, think out loud in a safe place, and genuinely feel seen. Let your experience be witnessed.

Today’s cultural climate is taxing—your life matters. Through the Woods offers counseling that’s sensitive to cultural issues and the experiences of people of color. Counseling at Through the Woods lets you process trauma, think out loud in a safe place, and genuinely feel seen. Let your experience be witnessed.

There are many individuals who are facing multiple forms of violence through relationships with toxic systems. In my work, I stress that real love does not require one to give up their freedom for the sake of belonging. It’s in the power of our ability to use our voice and to think and feel for ourselves that we find the power to stand alone and stand with others. The ability to do both is what real freedom and real love requires. You deserve to be free and to feel love.

Your identity is the essence of who you are. Being a minority is an important part of your identity, involving a variety of unique experiences and struggles. Having your unique perspective understood by another person is extremely important and essential to working through the challenges you face. Through a culturally sensitive lens, I will cater our sessions to your individual needs and guide our process as you grow towards self-acceptance.