Aileen Cho (she/her)

I am a 2nd generation Korean-American cis-gender female clinician licensed in the state of California. I grew up moving around a lot and my multicultural experiences have helped me develop a keen sensitivity and awareness around cross-cultural issues and the intersections between historical, intergenerational, societal and personal trauma.

I have a wide experience working with both adolescent and adult individuals, groups, and families in residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient treatment programs for eating disorders and co-occuring disorders all around the Bay Area and Southern California. I am a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp).

I have extensive experience working directly with survivors of child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault and profound familial and complex trauma. My approach addresses not only the resulting PTSD but also the range of co-occurring disorders that often accompany such experiences. Utilizing a trauma-centered psychotherapy framework, I provide nuanced, compassionate care that is grounded in a deep understanding of the multifaceted effects of trauma on mental health and well-being.

I am a Registered Drama Therapist (RDT) through the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA) and a Board Certified Trainer (BCT) in drama therapy. When appropriate, I utilize embodied, expressive and interactive processes to help develop insight, instigate change, reach your goals and create a healthier and more fulfilling life.

As a systems-trained therapist, I approach therapy through a relational lens, always considering the broader context of your relationships, whether or not others are physically present in the room. This means I focus on how the dynamics within your personal, familial, and social systems influence your well-being and contribute to the challenges you're facing. I believe that understanding these connections is key to creating meaningful and lasting change.

I specialize as a trauma-centered psychotherapist, focusing on helping individuals navigate and heal from the profound impacts of trauma. My approach is grounded in understanding the deep, lasting effects of traumatic experiences and providing a safe, supportive space for clients to explore, process, and ultimately transform their pain into growth and resilience.