Strength. Stability. Shelter.

These are some of the things that cedar trees are known for and they are the three main tenets of treatment at Sacred Cedar Psychological Services. Our desire as a practice is to help build strength and stability in the people we work with and we want to be seen as a haven; a place to find peace and security.

Dr, Kim grew up in Eastern Canada on a small dairy farm. She spent her summers throwing hay and running barefoot in the fields. She did well in school and fell in love with psychology and the idea of helping others when she was working on her Bachelor of Arts degree. Her first psychology professor recommended a school in British Columbia for her Master’s Degree and she went for it. It was her first time on a plane and she showed incredible bravery and courage in leaping into her future. Three years later, Dr. Kim completed her Master’s degree Magna Cum Laude and graduated in 2000. Seeing great opportunity for professional growth, she immigrated to the United States, to California specifically, in 2000, to begin a job in public service at Placer County in 2001. Dr. Kim has been working in various roles at Placer County since and is currently on the mental health leadership team. She supervises a team of three clinicians who, along with her, do Functional Family Therapy with Placer families in need.

Dr. Kim began the journey towards her doctorate degree in clinical psychology in 2012. It was a looooong process but one class at a time and then one chapter at a time in writing her dissertation, she graduated Magna Cum Laude in August 2020. Dr. Kim’s dissertation was called “INVISIBLE CHILDREN IN OUR OWN BACKYARDS: COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND TODAY’S YOUTH” and it delved into the deleterious effects of sexual exploitation on our youth today and how we, as providers, can best help them. She is happy to share her dissertation, if interested - either email her directly or use the “Contact Us” link to make your request. Currently, Dr. Kim has completed her required 3000 intern hours and is studying diligently (sort of!) for the EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology). This will be updated the moment she passes and is officially licensed as a Psychologist in the state of California.

As a therapist, Dr. Kim has been described as warm, nurturing and caring. She does not shy away from challenges. She is transparent with clients and values honesty above all in the therapeutic relationship. Dr. Kim is bright and while she understands things clinically, she has a way of translating that to the client in a way that is understandable to them. She is gracious and understanding. She doesn’t judge. She goes the extra mile when needed because patient care is of utmost concern to her. Dr. Kim is also flexible and hard-working. If she needs to research or “brush up” on skills for something specific, she will do that, on her own time. Meeting clients where they are and coming alongside them in their journey is important to her.

As it says above, Strength, Stability and Shelter, are the three main tenets of Sacred Cedar Psychological Services. Dr. Kim is committed to helping foster those things in each of the clients with whom she works.