Lydia Kim, MSW
Adolescents (10-18), College, Young Adults, Adults
Anxiety, Depression, Self-Esteem, Trauma, Stressful Life Transitions, Troublesome Childhoods, Relationship Stress, Friendship Stress, Perfectionism.
Hi there! My name is Lydia, and I am so happy you’re here! I am first generation immigrant from South Korea, turned lifelong suburbanite. I spent my childhood in Lake Zurich, where I also attended high school, before deciding to move to the complete opposite end of the state for college. I attended Southern Illinois University (Go Dawgs!!) for my undergraduate and graduate degrees in Social Work. I found my way back to the suburbs after realizing that home is where the Italian beefs are! I have personally faced and overcome mental health issues throughout my life, and as an Asian immigrant, I know how difficult it can be to balance complicated cultural norms with your mental health.
My perspective on therapy is shaped largely by my own experiences. I experienced persistent depression as a teenager and was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 20. After several years of feeling unheard and unseen, therapy truly changed my life. Throughout my mental health journey, I also experienced firsthand the impact finding the right therapist can have. I bring this value into my own practice now.
As your therapist, you can expect warmth, humor, and kindness when you need it most. I always provide a nonjudgmental space and welcome feedback and honesty. You are the expert of your life!
Trauma
If you have experienced something overwhelming, unsafe, or painful, I want you to know that you are seen, and you can reclaim your voice. Trauma can show up in many ways, often in patterns we don’t immediately recognize as connected to painful experiences from the past. Anxiety, numbness, emotional disconnection, and anger are common responses, but they are not weaknesses. They are adaptations that once worked to protect you.
Healing doesn’t mean just forgetting the past; it means moving forward in a way that no longer allows it to control your present. In our work together, we can explore these experiences, rebuild your confidence, and reconnect you with your most authentic self. As a therapist, I will be sure to provide you with a safe and empowering environment that always moves at your pace. It takes immense strength to survive trauma, and your healing journey should honor that strength.
Adolescents
Adolescence can be such a beautiful time to discover yourself and who you want to be. It can also feel overwhelming and confusing. The pressure to fit in, succeed, figure out who you are, and keep up with a constantly changing social world can be exhausting. As someone who experienced anxiety and depressions a teenager, I understand how isolating it can be, and how life-changing it is to have a therapist who truly understands the challenges you are navigating. A therapist saw me for more than just a moody, misbehaving kid who was falling behind in school and truly saw me for me, and now I hope to do that for you, too.
Teenagers and adolescents don’t need ‘fixing’, they need respect and support from someone who can really connect with them. I strive to create a space where you can feel safe to be honest about what you’re carrying. Whether that’s anxiety, depression, social stress, identity exploration, academic pressure, or family challenges, we can work together to build coping skills, confidence, and awareness. I would love to help you in your journey to finding who you are!
College-aged/Young adults
Having worked at a university counseling center, I’ve supported students and young adults navigating all sorts of challenges that come with the transition to adulthood. As exciting as this new independence and time of growth can be, it can also bring big questions about who you are and where you’re headed. Academic stress, burnout, identity exploration, and major life transitions are just some of the reasons we can start to doubt ourselves and feel uncertain about the future. I have experienced firsthand how the social and emotional pressure to ‘have it all together’ can feel overwhelming and weigh you down.
In working together, we can process all these changes and strengthen your sense of self. Building tools and skills to help you move forward with clarity and confidence is my priority. You’ll always have a space to focus on yourself and be real. Let’s bring back the excitement and curiosity that adulthood should be about!
Asian-Americans
Growing up Asian American often means juggling a lot: high expectations, family responsibility, cultural pride, and unspoken rules on how to manage our struggles. Mental health can feel polarizing within our communities and can make it difficult to reach out for support.
I’m deeply aware of the gap in culturally aligned mental health resources for Asian American individuals, even in communities where we are well represented. Many clients struggle to find a therapist who understands the nuances of our culture and the ways we experience all of life’s challenges and successes. As an Asian American who grew up in the area, my personal experience and professional knowledge can bridge the gap we feel when it comes to mental health. In our work, you can find support in someone who can understand your experiences on a personal level and help you challenge stigma with compassion.
For Fun…
When I’m at home, you can find me binging reality TV or rewatching my favorite movies for the hundredth time. I love spending time with my family, especially my 16-year-old morkie, Snickers.
I also love to travel, spend time with friends and family, and recently took up yoga!
