Meet Narae
I believe lasting change begins with understanding ourselves through curiosity rather than judgment.
Our experiences, relationships, and stories shape how we move through the world. Sometimes those patterns support us. Other times, they may no longer serve us in the ways they once did, leaving us feeling disconnected from ourselves or uncertain about what comes next.
My role isn't to tell you who you should be or what choices to make. It's to walk alongside you as we make sense of your experiences, notice patterns that may have gone unnoticed, and build a deeper understanding of what has shaped you.
I believe greater awareness can lead to greater choice. My hope is that therapy helps you better understand yourself so that the choices you make reflect who you are and what matters most to you.
What You Can Expect
We'll begin by understanding your story.
Because every person's experiences, relationships, and goals are different, therapy is shaped around what is important to you.
Together, we'll explore the challenges that have brought you here while building on your existing strengths. Along the way, we'll identify patterns, develop practical coping strategies, and work toward the goals that feel meaningful to you.
As our work unfolds, therapy may include reflection, practical skill-building, and new ways of understanding and responding to familiar challenges. Together, we'll move at a pace that feels thoughtful, collaborative, and responsive to your needs.
I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) within a collaborative, person-centered, and trauma-informed approach, tailoring each session to your unique needs and goals.
Over the past 13 years, I've supported individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, family conflict, and life transitions across community mental health, inpatient psychiatry, and private practice. These experiences have allowed me to support individuals through everyday challenges, as well as some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Those experiences have shaped the way I approach therapy—with curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to meeting each person where they are. Working with people from diverse backgrounds has reinforced the importance of listening first and honoring each person's unique experiences, strengths, and goals.
I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a graduate of UC Berkeley and the University of Southern California, a Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT), and currently serve as a Clinical Supervisor, where I support and mentor associate therapists in their professional development.
My Experience & Training
Who I Help
I work with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, uncertainty, and life transitions—particularly those who place high expectations on themselves or feel pulled between caring for others and making space for their own needs.
Many also question their decisions, struggle to trust themselves, or feel overwhelmed by the pressure to meet the needs of others—often at the expense of their own.
Whether these patterns have developed through family dynamics, cultural expectations, or life experiences, therapy offers a space to better understand them and move toward a way of living that feels more aligned with what matters most to you.
As a 1.5-generation Korean American therapist, I understand how family, culture, and identity can shape the way we understand ourselves, relate to others, and navigate life's expectations. I believe therapy should honor each person's unique experiences, values, and story, and I strive to bring that perspective into the work we do together.
If what you've read resonates with you, I welcome you to reach out.
Beginning therapy can feel like a meaningful step, and it's natural to feel uncertain or nervous. Whether you're exploring the idea of therapy, have questions about my approach, or feel ready to take the next step, I'm here when you're ready.