Therapeutic Approach

I use a person-centered, strengths-based, and relational approach to hold a warm and nonjudgmental space when working with clients. This means that I center you, your voice, your process, and being present in the space we’re creating together in therapy. I am committed to supporting you in exploring and uncovering the root causes and contributing factors to the issues standing between you and your empowerment, joy, and healing.

I draw from multiple modalities including CBT, TF-CBT, DBT, narrative therapy, and mindfulness. I also collaborate with each person to explore your own methods of storytelling and meaning-making in the work that we do together.

Specialties

Anxiety

Depression

Stress

Trauma

PTSD

Life transitions

Relationships

Intersectional identity development

Self-esteem and self-worth

Grief and loss

I also specialize working with BIPOC individuals and communities, with a particular focus on Asian American lived experiences. I am an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist and seek to center my clients’ self-determination and autonomy in the work that we do together.

Education & Training

  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC #5000782) and National Certified Counselor (NCC #1723823) in Massachusetts

    2019 C.A.S. in Counseling (K-12 School Social Work/Adjustment Counseling strand), Harvard Graduate School of Education

    2017 M.Ed, Prevention Science & Practice (Adolescent Counseling strand), Harvard Graduate School of Education

    2015 B.A., magna cum laude, American Studies, Child Study & Human Development majors, Asian American Studies minor, Tufts University

  • Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), in certification process.

    What is Narrative Therapy, Narrative Therapy in Practice trainings through Narrative Therapy Initiative.

    Clinical internships at Cambridge Public Schools (MA), Boston Public Schools (MA)

  • Current roles:

    Previous roles (non-exhaustive):

About Esther

Esther Hwi-Young Kim (she/hers) is a queer, second-generation Korean American, cisgender woman who resides on the ancestral lands of the Massachusett and Pawtucket people, also known as Somerville, MA. During her senior year of college, Esther wrote her family oral history to explore how immigration, colonialism, oppression, and trauma have shaped the relational dynamics between her first-generation Korean immigrant family members and self. Throughout her career that spans across K-12/higher education, mental health counseling, and local and state-level community engagement roles, Esther is always seeking out ways to break silences, contextualize lived experiences, and build compassionate connections and communities.

Outside of her current work in telehealth startup and community mental health spaces, Esther enjoys creative nonfiction writing, photography, cooking for loved ones, biking around town, and taking naps.