Personal Background

Personal Background

Personal Background

Personal Background

Personal Background

The relationship between a therapist and client is one of the most important factors in getting the most out of therapy. So, in addition to learning more about my professional background, you can read more below about me and my ethos.

Originally from Seoul, I’ve lived in, and been shaped by the cultural meccas of LA and London. Being bit by the travel bug in my younger years, I've explored over 25 countries, broadening my perspective and appreciation of cultures along the way.

A cornerstone of culture is values. Values deeply shape life. My values revolve around family, faith, and friendships. Marrying my best friend, who shares the same values, was one of the best decisions I made. My wife, who was born in Shanghai, grew up in the midwest and Bay Area. She graduated Harvard and worked in consulting before transitioning to the entertainment industry in LA, where she currently makes an impact.

We reside in Santa Monica with our two kids. As a family, we love spending time and sharing laughs with friends over home-cooked meals. In my spare time, I enjoy backpacking, woodworking, and cooking Texas-style briskets.

Apart from husband, father, therapist, and scientist, two other hats I wear are product leader and entrepreneur. In 2022, I helped launch a pioneering startup in the mental health ed-tech space. As a co-founder, I spearheaded product development and pitched investors and VCs to a $20M valuation — toward a Series A fundraise. In 2024, our product was recognized with a prestigious award for its innovative approach to socioemotional learning and social support by a 140-year-old trusted institute, Good Housekeeping.

Lately, I’ve dabbled in the intersection between AI and social good via developing parenting and child development apps.

The relationship between a therapist and client is one of the most important factors in getting the most out of therapy. So, in addition to learning more about my professional background, you can read more below about me and my ethos.

Originally from Seoul, I’ve lived in, and been shaped by the cultural meccas of LA and London. Being bit by the travel bug in my younger years, I've explored over 25 countries, broadening my perspective and appreciation of cultures along the way.

A cornerstone of culture is values. Values deeply shape life. My values revolve around family, faith, and friendships. Marrying my best friend, who shares the same values, was one of the best decisions I made. My wife, who was born in Shanghai, grew up in the midwest and Bay Area. She graduated Harvard and worked in consulting before transitioning to the entertainment industry in LA, where she currently makes an impact.

We reside in Santa Monica with our two kids. As a family, we love spending time and sharing laughs with friends over home-cooked meals. In my spare time, I enjoy backpacking, woodworking, and cooking Texas-style briskets.

Apart from husband, father, therapist, and scientist, two other hats I wear are product leader and entrepreneur. In 2022, I helped launch a pioneering startup in the mental health ed-tech space. As a co-founder, I spearheaded product development and pitched investors and VCs to a $20M valuation — toward a Series A fundraise. In 2024, our product was recognized with a prestigious award for its innovative approach to socioemotional learning and social support by a 140-year-old trusted institute, Good Housekeeping.

Lately, I’ve dabbled in the intersection between AI and social good via developing parenting and child development apps.

PhD / MSW

University of Southern California (USC)

USC
PhD / MSW

University of Southern California (USC)

USC

PhD / MSW

University of Southern California (USC)

USC

PhD / MSW

University of Southern California (USC)

USC
PhD / MSW

University of Southern California (USC)

USC

Training

Yale, UCLA, Brown

YALE UCLA BROWN
Training

Yale, UCLA, Brown

KECK

Training

Yale, UCLA, Brown

YALE UCLA BROWN

Training

Yale, UCLA, Brown

YALE UCLA BROWN
Training

Yale, UCLA, Brown

YALE UCLA BROWN

Postdoctoral Fellow

Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

KECK
Postdoctoral Fellow

Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

YALE UCLA BROWN

Postdoctoral Fellow

Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

KECK

Postdoctoral Fellow

Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

KECK
Postdoctoral Fellow

Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

KECK

Practice

DMH, LAUSD, PACS, AACCS

Practice Experiences
Practice

DMH, LAUSD, PACS, AACCS

Practice Experiences

Practice

DMH, LAUSD, PACS, AACCS

Practice Experiences

Practice

DMH, LAUSD, PACS, AACCS

Practice Experiences
Practice

DMH, LAUSD, PACS, AACCS

Practice Experiences