Joy Kang LMFT

Coming from an Asian-immigrant background, I noticed at an early age that it was not common to pretty much never I heard about “therapy” or “mental health” in my home and culture. And this became even more prominent when I entered college and there were many, including myself, that could’ve used some support! Seeing and living the experience of how dire the need was for Asian therapists to struggling Asian individuals – whether it be family dysfunction, addiction stigma, acculturation struggle, model minority complex, or feeling lost in the adulting process. I decided to enter into this field to be part of a helping hand to those struggling in silence.

A lot of people (from personal to professional circles) say I am easy to talk to and "chill." And I’d like to not that I am straightforward but empathically sarcastic; however, that does not mean that I am brutally honest or insensitively aggressive! It simply means that because I prioritize the client’s goals and their reason for seeking support in therapy, I spare the action of beating around the bush.

• California, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, 121364

In my traineeship, I worked as a school counselor for K-8th graders. As an associate MFT, my primary position involved working at an intensive outpatient agency where I gained a lot of experience working with dual-diagnosed clients from mood disorder to substance abuse to eating disorder, all with one goal of how to be less emotionally disturbed and keep the maladaptive behaviors away! However, this does not exclude the fact that I've helped countless individuals who struggled with their racial and/or cultural identities from young adults to elder adults.