Serious Mental Illness

Dr. Kim recognizes that individuals living with serious mental illness, including conditions such as schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder, severe recurrent depression, and personality disorders, often face stigma, fragmented care, and a lack of providers willing to engage in the sustained, complex work that recovery requires. She is committed to being a consistent, reliable presence in her clients' treatment and to providing the kind of individualized, long-term care that makes a real difference.

Treatment typically begins with a comprehensive assessment of the client's current symptoms, functioning, treatment history, medication regimen, support systems, and personal goals. Dr. Kim takes time to understand each client's experience of their illness, their strengths and coping strategies, and the barriers that have made recovery difficult in the past. This assessment informs a collaboratively developed treatment plan that addresses not just symptom management but also the broader goals that matter to the client, such as maintaining employment, improving relationships, or achieving greater independence.

Drawing from CBT, DBT, psychoeducation, and motivational interviewing, Dr. Kim helps clients develop skills for managing symptoms, recognizing early warning signs of relapse, and navigating the challenges of daily life with a chronic condition. She places particular emphasis on building self-advocacy skills, helping clients communicate effectively with their broader treatment team, and fostering a sense of agency and self-worth that serious mental illness can erode over time.

Coordination of care is a cornerstone of Dr. Kim's approach to serious mental illness. She works closely with psychiatrists, case managers, social workers, and community support programs to ensure that her clients receive seamless, integrated care. She understands that medication management, social support, and therapeutic intervention must work in concert, and she actively facilitates communication among all providers involved in a client's recovery.