Jin S. Kim, LMFT

Coronavirus. Unemployment. Racial inequity. Police brutality. So many issues have converged this year and, understandably, it’s overwhelming. These crises directly impact our mental health, and for those of us who manage mental health issues, it has exacerbated symptoms. During this unprecedented time, where stability and control can seem unattainable, it’s important that we learn how ride the wave of uncertainty, and to implement self care practices that help to miti...gate the impacts of the stormy waters we are in. Individually, we may not have complete control of the pandemic, nor be able to achieve systemic societal change, but we CAN choose to invest in our wellbeing in order to show up mentally armored and better prepared to manage the pandemic, seek out economic resources, and participate in collective civil and political activism in order to actuate some much needed change in this country. . . . #selfcare #blacklivesmatter #blm #antiracism #psychotherapy #losangelestherapist #asianamericantherapist #intersectionality #koreanamericantherapist #koreanamerican #koreantherapist #gaytherapist #gayasianamerican #gaykoreanamerican #losangeles #la #california #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #therapistsofinstagram #lgbtq #lgbtqtherapist #socialjustice See more

Asian Americans are often referred to as the model minority. Did you know this label is problematic and contributes to white supremacy? Here’s an amazing graphic that explains this important issue insta-style. Special thanks to @jocekittyllama for creating this. #themoreyouknow #asianamericans #asianamericansforblacklivesmatter #blacklivesmatter #asianamericantherapist #koreanamericantherapist #lgbtq #lgbtqtherapist #intersectionality

The events of the past few weeks have undoubtedly impacted me, as with the rest of the country. As an Asian American, it’s especially important to recognize our privilege and to also address a serious problem that’s plaguing our community: APATHY. It’s important that we understand why allyship matters and how this moment in time not only affects us, but to take our concerns to the next level: engagement and activism. Many thanks to @deepkimpact for creating this wonderful graphic. #BLM #blacklivesmatter #asiansforblacklivesmatter #koreansforblacklives

Social media can have a major impact on our #mentalhealth. Why add additional stress glimpsing into the lives of strangers who provoke insecurities about our circumstances, body and self-image, and access? Many influencers and celebrities portray unrealistic versions of reality, many who flaunt very narrow versions of attractiveness (overwhelmingly based on Western stereotypical beauty standards) and wellness (overwhelmingly based on superficiality and material wealth).... Try a digital detox in the form of #unfollowing these people, and only following those you actually know in real life and/or people who post more healthy and authentic content. I’ve done this and noticed that I have better insights into REAL people’s lives, but also feel less negativity about myself when scrolling through the ‘gram! . . . #socialmediatips #psychotherapy #psychology #losangelestherapist #asianamericantherapist #koreanamericantherapist #koreanamerican #koreantherapist #gaytherapist #gayasianamerican #gaykoreanamerican #losangeles #la #california #mentalhealthawareness #therapistsofinstagram #lgbt #lgbtqtherapist #socialjustice #acceptance #authenticity See more

Hey friends! I’ve created a professional Instagram account @jinkimtherapy where I’ll be posting my thoughts about life, mental health, psychotherapy, psychology, social justice, and anything and all things related to the human experience. If you’re interested, please follow and spread the word about my page! Instagram.com/jinkimtherapy

So many of us learn to bury and repress our feelings as a defense mechanism, and for some, this has become so normalized that considering the option of feeling and sitting with our feelings seems terrifying, unproductive, and even foolish. In reality, our feelings not only serve a function, but they are rivers of living energy that tie us to our humanity and aliveness. We can unlearn this defense mechanism by cultivating a practice of NOT judging and repressing our emoti...ons, but instead to be courageous and allowing ourselves to experience these rivers. Processing these feelings, whether with a therapist, close friend, or yourself, can help to alleviate the pain, and strengthen the connection to what makes us human. . . . . John Welwood, Awakening The Heart: East/West Approaches to Psychotherapy and the Healing Relationship. 1985 See more

Plenty of people put off going to therapy or try to ignore symptoms because mental health is often easier to brush off as not urgent. But if you wait until things get really bad, the harder it will be to address. Here are four tips to help you make that first appointment:

I’ve recently updated my website with some design tweaks as well as creating an Articles section, which includes web publications I’m featured in, or in the case of wikiHow, that I’ve coauthored. Check out some of the pieces and let me know if you have any questions or comments (good, bad, or anywhere in betweenI’m still developing as a clinician ) on any of the topics covered.

I've partnered up with wikiHow and co-authored several articles relevant to mental health and some of the areas that I specialize in. I'll be posting the articles regularly in the coming weeks, so please take a look!

https://www.jinkimtherapy.com/