Dr. Maria Kim , LMFT, LMHC

Dr. Maria Kim is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) who brings a doctoral background in expressive therapies and board certification in art therapy (ATR-BC) to her clinical work. With 15 years of experience, she has supported people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and parenting challenges, self-esteem concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, and anger. Her training blends cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and psychodynamic ideas with creative, art-based methods, allowing her to adjust interventions to each person's needs and learning style.

Known for a warm, interactive counseling style, Dr. Kim emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion while avoiding stigmatizing labels. She works collaboratively with individuals and families to develop practical, goal-focused plans that draw on clients' strengths and life experience. Fluent in English and Korean, she is able to offer care that acknowledges cultural context and communication preferences.

Dr. Kim believes change begins with courage and that most people have inner resources to guide healing. Her practice integrates verbal reflection with expressive techniques when helpful, tailoring the therapeutic dialogue and treatment to the unique concerns and goals of each client.

Approaches that translate well to online therapy

Dr. Kim often integrates cognitive-behavioral techniques, which focus on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. These methods are structured and practical, making them well suited to work over video or phone sessions.

She also draws on expressive and art-informed approaches, using creative activities and symbolic work to help people process emotions that may be difficult to put into words. These techniques can be adapted for online formats and support work with trauma, grief, and self-expression.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Dr. Kim collaborates with clients to determine which combination of methods best matches their needs, goals, and communication preferences, adjusting plans as progress is made.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing clients to fit care into busy schedules and access licensed professionals from their preferred location. This range of options supports continuity of care and makes it easier to maintain momentum between sessions.