WHY I BECAME A THERAPIST

Life is complex and vast. We all want to experience happiness, love, and peace—but to do that, we also have to face fear, sorrow, and shame. Most of us are never taught how to navigate those painful emotions.

I BECAME A THERAPIST TO WALK ALONGSIDE PEOPLE AS THEY LEARN TO FACE THOSE EXPERIENCES AND CREATE A LIFE THAT FEELS MEANINGFUL TO THEM.

WHEN I WORK WITH CLIENTS, I creatE and hold space for people TO SHARE THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS THAT ARE EVOKED IN THEIR DAILY LIVES. EVERY CLIENT HAS A PAST, BUT THE FUNCTION OF BEING IN CONTACT WITH YOUR PAST IS TO LEARN FROM IT.

During our sessions, I like to focus on how I can help you use those past feelings to navigate your future. You may hold onto a lot of pain and suffering that you don’t know how to let go of—or even realize you are experiencing. My main focus is you and how I can support you on your journey. What do you need from me to lead you to inner peace and acceptance?

Blue couch with decorative pillows and table lamps in close-up view

When I work with clients, I incorporate THREE THINGS to create positive change:

CONNECTION | SELF-AWARENESS | cURIOSITY

My therapeutic style is one of curiosity, presence, love, and respect. There is nothing you need to change to feel that you matter and belong in my presence. Healing can begin when we establish trust in one another, leaving us the room to recognize our own emotions and actions without shame. From there, we can question what triggers certain emotions and continue down the path of restoration.

Cozy living room with upholstered couch, matching table lamps, potted plants, and styled coffee table with decorative accessories

Gray upholstered couch and armchair in modern living room setting

WHO I WORK WITH

I specialize in grief and loss, trauma therapy, men’s issues, ADHD and neurodiversity, and life transitions. Whether you’re a teen facing pressure to succeed or an adult holding pain that hasn’t been spoken aloud, I’m here to help you find steadiness in the storm. Together, we’ll explore what’s surfacing for you so you can relate to your thoughts with more compassion, not criticism.

My area of expertise is helping people who are facing major life transitions, such as a quarter life crisis, adjusting to college, or other significant life changes.

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What if I’m afraid to open up in therapy?

Feeling fear and discomfort and finding it difficult to open up in therapy is normal and expected. Being vulnerable is one of the scariest things anyone can ask you to do, and I want to honor this experience. I want to give you the space to understand and explore the fear and concerns you have, while building a relationship of trust and connection. We will move at a pace you are comfortable with. Taking care of yourself means trusting yourself, your boundaries, and your limits, and I will never push you to open up at a pace that is not right for you.

A LITTLE ABOUT ME & MY PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

I have completed my Master of Arts in Social Work, Social Policy, and Social Administration from the University of Chicago.
I have completed a program of study in Contextual Behavioral Practices, as well as a program of study in Transforming Justice: Policies and Practices.
I have completed my Bachelors in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
My experience in working with individuals who have encountered the criminal justice/legal system has given me extensive experience working with mental health challenges and trauma histories – ranging from suicidal ideation, anxiety, grief, delusions, substance use, abuse, assault, intimate partner violence, domestic violence, and more.

“Watch carefully the magic that occurs when you give a person enough comfort to just be themselves.” - Atticus

ENAMORED TOWARDS EVERYTHING LIFE HAS TO OFFER

LOVES NATURE AND HIKING

Loves summertime storms

DO YOU WISH YOU WERE BETTER EQUIPPED TO HANDLE CHALLENGING SITUATIONS? DO YOU WANT TO INCREASE YOUR ABILITY TO NAVIGATE LIFE’S UPS AND DOWNS?

There is nothing wrong with you. My goal is to help you feel safe enough to be curious about what you’re feeling, learn from your past without being defined by it, and reconnect with the parts of you that feel whole. If that sounds like the kind of support you’ve been looking for, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT

Christine Kwon

You don’t have to fix yourself to begin healing. We’ll start with where you are.

SPECIALTIES