Hyunnie Rew, M.A.

How I decided to be a therapist

My ambition to be a therapist started with exploring my own problems. While studying family counseling, I gained a deep understanding of my roots and developed compassionate feelings toward myself and others. What I used to think to be my weakness was the drive for growth and resources. It took a while to realize. I want clients to experience self-compassion and growth even in the most depressing and challenging times.

How I would like to help clients as a therapist

I always believe that clients have the key to their problems. My role is to guide them to bring out their potential and strengths for a happier and healthier life. Therefore, I work closely with my clients to build a trusting relationship and help them enable transformative experiences.

What my theoretical orientation is as a therapist

I was trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to seek one’s thinking, emotive, and behavioral patterns and guide clients to overcome harmful lifestyles. My job is to listen, validate, and empathize with the client’s pain, but I am also there to challenge self-destructive thoughts and irrational behaviors. I often integrate my therapeutic approaches with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, especially in mindfulness, emotional regulations, interpersonal relationships, and values activities. These techniques have worked well with clients with various psychological difficulties. When working with couples, I use the Gottman Approach to explore their “perpetual problems.” In this process, the couple exposes their vulnerable feelings and learns to embrace and accept each other.