NYC, Westchester, and New Jersey
Before we meet, I offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to share with you my approach, listen to your concerns, and determine if we may be a good fit. Our first meeting is an opportunity for you to get a sense of my approach and for me to get to know you and learn about your story. The first session is typically 60 minutes. Individual therapy sessions thereafter are typically 45 minutes. Couples/family sessions are 60 minutes. Sometimes, it becomes clear after the first meeting that we may not be a good fit for your needs, in which case, I will work with you to set you up with appropriate referrals and resources.
My approach is integrative and collaborative and involves a deep exploration of your past, including family dynamics, attachment patterns, socio-cultural factors, and big and small traumas. My belief is that we all unintentionally get "bruises and wounds" during our life, and therapy is a process in which we can begin to clean out and heal those wounds carefully together, with the goal being to understand their impact on your current functioning and to create a different relationship with your emotions so that you can mindfully and intentionally move forward in your life. For some clients, I may also provide you with more concrete strategies and tools to get you to a place where you can begin do this exploratory, insight-oriented work. Each client's session is unique and looks different and based on what you need at this time in your life. Therefore, we continue to evaluate your goals and progress regularly, and I pay particular attention to our relationship and the therapeutic alliance, as I believe it is the most important ingredient in therapy.
My approach is informed by the following approaches within a culturally appropriate lens: psychodynamic, attachment theory, CBT, mindfulness and ACT, emotion-focused, existential, and family systems.
Excessive worrying, restlessness, fatigue, irritability, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbance
Diminished mood , changes in appetite/sleep, loss of energy, lack of motivation, feelings of worthlessness/guilt, difficulty concentrating
Parent-child relational problems, marital/partner conflict, family conflict, divorce/separation, loss/bereavement, intimacy issues
Cultural adjustment, biracial/bicultural stress, Asian-American identity
Academic stress, underachievement/ over-achievement, school transition, career uncertainty, career transitions
Behavior management, parenting strategies, childhood trauma ,ADHD, depression, anxiety, school consultation and coordination
When working with children and adolescents, I believe that parent involvement is essential to the progress of therapy and the growth of the child. The initial intake evaluation is conducted with the parent first in order to gather a thorough history and to evaluate the presenting concern. The child/adolescent is then seen individually and in subsequent family and collateral sessions, as needed. In addition, I can work with teachers, guidance counselors, and other school personnel to address any academic or social issues as clinically indicated.
In my therapy work with children and adolescents, I utilize a combination of play therapy and cognitive-behavioral techniques to engage children, assess their presenting problem, and develop coping skills to manage current difficulties. I view therapy as a safe space for them to explore their inner world so they can better navigate their stressors. I work with parents to help them understand their children's needs and better support them.
When working with couples and families, I treat the entire couple/family as my client and work to engage all family members in treatment and to understand their perspective of the presenting problem. I utilize an emotion-focused approach, which emphasizes attachment needs and structural patterns in the relationship that have created a problematic cycle. Through our work together, we bring to awareness our innermost needs so that we can express those needs to our partners and family members, and they can in turn respond to them.
Copyright © 2020 Angela Kang, PhD - All Rights Reserved.