Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month with Bori Kim

I am so honored to be featured for AAPI Heritage Month. For many Asians, healing is an unfamiliar path to walk on. Maybe, some might be scared to begin their healing journey. As a trauma-specialist, I believe trauma is a “sacred place” to be as Dr. Diane Langberg says. I have such a privilege to walk alongside my clients carrying deep hurts within them. Coming from Korean background, I have seen clients experience generational trauma, attachment or relational issues in immigrant families. They often experience social injustice living in the states. I fully support their voices, and help find their own voices.

As a Korean-American and Christian therapist, Biblical counseling (or faith-based) is a major part of my work with clients. Many Koreans or Korean-Americans have experienced toxic Christianity, church hurt, or religious burnout, that is called religious or spiritual trauma. I offer a space and silence for clients to process those hurts and to grieve. Through grieving process, clients find peace again within themselves, with God and others. My primary work is based on empathy that Jesus has shown in John 11:17-35, sitting in here-and-now without judging any of their feelings. When a client needs to cry, I am right there with tears, not walking further away.

As we honor AAPI cultures and identities, I believe it is important to embrace their experiences of suffering in this foreign land. As a therapist, I am here to hold a space for their struggles and hurts.

Healing is possible. I offer sessions both in English and Korean.