3 Best Los Angeles AAPI Therapists

Relationships can be challenging and it can feel overwhelming to figure out how to find resources that are tailored and specific for AAPI individuals. Our therapists come from a variety of backgrounds that can uniquely identify with the experience of being AAPI. Whether you are coming to counseling to address cultural issues, immigration challenges, or intergenerational trauma, we are here to provide you with a safe space and a multicultural lens to help you give you clarity, help you find the right therapist, as well as resources and skills to help you better understand yourself, cope with any mental health challenges, and be better connected to others.

 
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If you are struggling to make sense of your experiences as an AAPI, we want to navigate your own story with you.

Navigating your experience as an AAPI is a deeply personal journey. However, the process of navigating your ethnic identity, family dynamics, or generational trauma is painful and can leave you feeling anger, sadness, confusion, and/or grieved. At Spaces we want to provide a supportive space that allows you to show up however you need to. Unprocessed family dynamics, immigration trauma, ethnic trauma, and intergenerational conflict can leave you feeling disconnected within your self, in your relationships, and from the world around you. An AAPI counselor can help you make sense of your own life, work with you to develop language that helps name your experience, help you process and recognize the impact of any trauma, and assist you with developing coping skills to ultimately help you better connect with yourself, your culture, your family, and the world around you.

If you have any questions please contact us or:

 
 

Why choose Spaces Therapy for AAPI therapy in Los Angeles

Why choose Spaces Therapy for AAPI counseling in Los Angeles

Spaces Therapy is a relational psychotherapy practice based in Highland Park, Los Angeles:

We differentiate ourselves as a practice by our adherence and belief in relationship oriented therapy. While it is true that all therapy is inherently relational, we believe that the safety and relationship between a client and therapist is fundamental to the work itself. This means that above the therapeutic framework (the type of therapy from which a therapist is practicing) a relational therapist works to deepen and create a meaningful relationship with the client. It could be argued that this is important in any type of therapy, but for a relational therapist, having trust and safety in the room is fundamental to allowing the client to experience change. Whether you're in Studio City, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, or elsewhere in Los Angeles, Spaces provides both in person therapy and Telehealth services. It can be daunting to reach out for therapy, especially in East Asian and Southeast Asian cultures that stigmatize mental health services, but counseling can provide you with the opportunity to gain insight on intergenerational and family dynamics, feel seen in your experiences, develop tools for managing any mental health symptoms, and become more connected to yourself, your family, and your identity. At Spaces, we strive to have cultural consideration, challenge Euro-centric assumptions, de-pathologize symptoms while honoring you, your family, your culture, and ultimately your story.

Spaces Therapy is a group practice that values empowerment, inclusivity, and sustainability.

  • Empowerment: We aim to empower local and global communities by donating a portion of each session fee to the Loveland Foundation as well as one other charity each month, based on the current needs within our country and world. We aim to create an environment that leaves minimal impact on our planet. We source furniture and supplies that are gently used and earth-friendly. We also believe in sustainable living and promote balance for our team and our clients.

  • Sustainability: We aim to create an environment that leaves minimal impact on our planet. We source furniture and supplies that are gently used and earth-friendly. We also believe in sustainable living and promote balance for our team and our clients.

  • Inclusivity: We aim to create a culture where all people are welcome. We work with, and strive to hire, persons of all gender identities, sexual orientations, and cultural or ethnic backgrounds.

 
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3 top-rated AAPI therapists in Los Angeles

Mi Ae Kim

I’m Mi Ae, a licensed marriage & family therapist (#135709) and AACAST Certified Couples and Sex Therapist. I cultivate a curious and non-judgmental stance while developing an insight-oriented, relational, and attachment-based approach. I aim to honor, validate, and welcome the uniqueness of each person’s diverse experiences into a space with warmth, empathy, and authenticity.  I strive to help my clients discover themselves, gain insight into their relational patterns, and heal from their wounds to ultimately experience deeper intimacy, and connectedness while living their most authentic selves. I also believe in providing my clients with the space in which their sufferings and struggles can be recognized, named, explored, and grieved.

 
  • B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development
    - M.A. in Clinical Psychology with emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy
    - Prepare and Enrich Certified
    - AACAST(American Association of Couples and Sex Therapists) Certified Couples and Sex Therapist

  • #135709

  • Telehealth and in person

 

Marissa Honjiyo

I’m Marissa, a registered associate marriage and family therapist (#128581) working under the supervision of Kelli Penner and Ludine Pierre. Life is uncertain and complex, and therapy can be a space that helps you make sense of your story. I value helping people find wholeness and belonging. My hope is to act as a mirror for my clients to help them gain clarity, healing, and restoration.

 
  • B.A. in Psychology
    - M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy
    - Level II Restoration Therapist & Brainspotting Level 1 Certified

  • #128581

  • Telehealth and in person

  • Providing therapy since 2020

 

Christina Chung

I’m Christina, a licensed marriage & family therapist (CA #147445). I’m passionate about coming alongside people in their life journey, and seeing clients gain a renewed sense of hope through the process of them developing a better understanding of themselves. I especially love helping oldest children balance their identity and responsibilities of life with who they want to be/become.

 
  • - B.A. Film & Media Studies
    - B.A Chinese Literature & Language
    -
    M.A.T in Theology with emphasis in Theology and the Arts
    -
    M.A. in Clinical Psychology with emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy
    - EMDR Trained  

  • #147445

  • Telehealth only

  • Providing therapy since 2019

 
 
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Culturally sensitive therapy is an approach to mental health treatment that takes into consideration the cultural background, beliefs, and values of the client. At Spaces, we value and prioritize cultural competency and make a concerted effort to decolonize therapy by bringing up any relevant cultural considerations, challenge Euro-centric assumptions, depathologize symptoms, and maintain a strengths-based lens when working with our clients and their families.

  • Therapy shouldn't go against your cultural values. Instead, we want to take a collaborative approach to acknowledging your cultural background as a way to provide you with more effective and personalized mental health care that respects and utilizes your cultural identity as a resource in the therapeutic process. Our hope is that we can honor your cultural and family narratives, while working together to find ways to sustainably and healthily engage with yourself, your culture, and your family.

  • Part of the therapeutic process, especially within the first few sessions requires gathering information. This includes creating a safe space for you to share your values, your family norms, and your family's history. Depending on your history and your goals, therapy can help give you language to understand why and how your upbringing has impacted you.

    While it is important to get to share your cultural and family background, it is not your responsibility to educate your therapist. Rather, our hope is to get to join with you in the unique struggles and beauty of an AAPI in Los Angeles.

  • It can be taboo or shameful to reach out for help. There has long been a stigma in the Asian culture to receive mental health services. If your family is unfamiliar with therapy or mental health, it can be helpful to start by addressing their concerns, explaining your reasoning, providing education around what therapy is and how it can help. This can be a way to honor and respect your family, while also giving yourself an opportunity to set boundaries. Your therapist can also provide you with support.

  • It's natural to feel uncomfortable with sharing your personal issues, especially in Asian culture where privacy is often valued. At Spaces, we consider ourselves relational therapists. What this means is that we prioritize establishing a safe and interpersonal dynamic with our clients. We encourage and respect the way and pace at which you want to share. Our hope is that you experience a trustworthy and strong rapport with your therapist. This is what sets up apart from other practices.

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Our LA counselors can give you the support you need to help you navigate your experiences as an AAPI individual. 

Everyone deserves a chance to feel better.  We welcome people from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations.

During your first consultation, we will gather information and discuss logistics to determine how we can best assist you and your needs. In your first therapy session, you and your therapist will build rapport, develop safety and trust, establish goals as wells a course of treatment.

Our sessions tend to be 45 minutes long, at least once a week.

To get started, book a consultation or reach out if you have any questions.

 

Make space to grow

 
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