Psychodynamic therapy is a depth-oriented form of psychotherapy that focuses on understanding the unconscious patterns shaping your thoughts, emotions, and relationships. It evolved from psychoanalysis, but is more interactive and relational—instead of the therapist remaining a neutral “blank slate,” both therapist and client actively engage in the work in real time.

This approach attends not only to your past, but to what is alive in the present moment: emotions, reactions, and patterns as they emerge within the session. Through this lens, we explore attachment, early experiences, internal conflicts, and the recurring ways you come to experience yourself and others.

Unlike more structured, short-term approaches such as CBT, psychodynamic therapy is oriented toward deeper, long-term change. By making these patterns conscious, the work allows for integration and individuation—creating the possibility for a more intentional and authentic way of living long after therapy ends.

While standard therapy sessions are typically 45–50 minutes, I offer 70-minute sessions to better support depth-oriented work.

Psychodynamic therapy is not focused solely on symptom relief—it explores early experiences, unconscious patterns, and the deeper architecture of the psyche. This kind of work often requires time to move beyond surface-level discussion.

The extended session allows us to stay with what is emerging, rather than stopping just as something meaningful begins to unfold. It creates space to move past what is immediately visible and into what is shaping it beneath the surface—supporting insight, integration, and a more enduring relationship with yourself that continues beyond our work together.

This is a private-pay, out-of-network practice. Insurance is not billed directly, though a superbill can be provided for potential reimbursement, depending on your plan.

As the practice is based in Korea, out-of-network coverage may vary. You are encouraged to confirm your benefits directly with your insurance provider.

A limited number of sliding scale appointments are available. For inquiries, please contact contact@drjoo.com.

If you plan to seek reimbursement, I recommend confirming your out-of-network benefits in advance—particularly as the practice is based in Korea, and international coverage is not always included.

You may wish to ask about:

• Coverage for out-of-network mental health services provided internationally (e.g., Korea)

• Your reimbursement rate and deductible

• Session limits per year

• Required documentation for reimbursement

Clients are responsible for understanding their coverage and submitting claims. Superbills can be provided upon request.

Psychotherapy is a licensed clinical service offered to residents of California and Korea. It is designed for individuals experiencing concerns such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or psychosis-related symptoms, and may include assessment, diagnosis, and treatment within a clinical framework. Sessions are conducted as ongoing, structured therapy.

Psychological consultation is a non-clinical service available worldwide. It is not therapy and does not include diagnosis, treatment of mental illness, or crisis care. Instead, consultation focuses on insight, patterns, identity, and life direction—often for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of themselves or a professional perspective on a specific concern.

Consultation may not be appropriate for individuals experiencing significant distress, safety concerns, or risk to themselves or others. In such cases, ongoing psychotherapy or local clinical support is recommended.

Yes. Psychosis does not always present as a complete loss of functioning. Some individuals are able to maintain work, relationships, and daily responsibilities while experiencing disturbances in perception and/or thought.

When symptoms are severe or safety is a concern, a higher level of care—such as inpatient or outpatient hospital-based treatment—is often more appropriate, as it provides access to medical support and 24-hour care if needed.

For individuals who are relatively high-functioning, able to reflect on their experiences, and not in acute crisis, outpatient therapy can take different forms. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp) can help individuals develop a clearer understanding of their experiences, reduce distress, and build practical strategies for managing symptoms. In addition, a psychodynamic approach offers space to explore the psychological meaning, context, and inner experience of psychosis—including how it may relate to one’s emotional life, identity, and internal conflicts.

Depending on the individual, these approaches may be used in different ways—either more structured and symptom-focused, or more exploratory and depth-oriented. This work may be particularly helpful for those whose goal is to learn to live with their symptoms, even if they are distressing, and who are interested in understanding them more deeply.

For individuals whose primary goal is symptom elimination or stabilization, additional support—such as medication or more structured treatment—may be recommended.

Supporting someone with psychosis or a serious mental health condition can be emotionally complex, often involving uncertainty, responsibility, and a shifting sense of role and identity. Many caregivers experience stress, guilt, confusion, or isolation, even when they are functioning well outwardly.

Therapy offers a space to process these experiences, better understand relational patterns, and explore how to remain connected to yourself while supporting someone else. This may include working through emotional boundaries, navigating difficult decisions, and making sense of the impact this role has on your inner world.

The focus is not only on coping, but on helping you sustain yourself in a way that is psychologically grounded and emotionally sustainable over time.

Therapy is offered in both English and Korean. Sessions can be conducted in either language, or move fluidly between the two, allowing for a more natural and nuanced expression of your experiences.