Therese Kim

Works with:

Individual adults (age 18+). I work with LGBTQ+ individuals, individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, and people of all abilities; I welcome people from all walks of life to my practice. 

Therapeutic approach to care: 

I am Client Centered and believe that each client I meet has the tools within them to heal and grow. You are the expert in your life. I view therapy as a client’s time and follow their lead to support their healing. While we meet, I will utilize any tools I have gained in my professional life to help you reach your goal and will identify others you may not know you already have. Inside each human being lies a natural self-actualizing process always at work. I believe coming to therapy, even just showing up, helps you tap into your unique healing process.

Modalities Used 

  • Client Centered Therapy
  • Trauma Informed
  • Strengths Based
  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT, CT-R)
  • Mindfulness Practices (DBT)

Areas of Specialization: 

  • Trauma, complex trauma, PTSD
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Psychosis (hearing voices, unusual experiences)
  • Grief and loss
  • Managing transitions, illness, disability 

Professional Experience: 

I began my professional experience with an intense year of training in Client Centered and Experiential Psychotherapy. At this small Rogerian counseling center on the University of Chicago campus, I learned how to listen and follow a client’s natural process to facilitate change. I earned a MSW from Springfield College where I specialized in Advanced Generalist Social Work and have a specialization in clinical social work with a license to practice independently. I have worked in schools, domestic violence shelters, crisis shelters, clinics, and have met people in hospitals, in their homes, in my therapy office, and online. In all of these places, I have encountered individuals searching for healing and change.

 I am a professional artist and have utilized art to facilitate social change, from supporting former prisoners transitioning to life in the community, or as a medium for grieving students to process their feelings of loss. I have studied art therapy and use it in my practice when it is appropriate and helpful. 

Today, I am dedicating my experience and education to offering quality mental health services to clients wanting to heal and transform their lives. 

Education:

Springfield College, MSW 2018 

The Chicago Counseling and Psychotherapy Research Center 1987

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1985 

Trainings:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT, CT-R)
  • CBT for anxiety
  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)
  • Contextual Rehabilitation
  • DBT
  • Mindfulness
  • MBSR
  • Trauma and the brain
  • Art as therapy