Chiungwen Ku, LCSW — Therapist in California

Hi there, I'm Chiungwen!

Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or stuck—whether in life, relationships, or even with yourself? You’re not alone. I have over 11 years of experience providing therapy in English and Mandarin, helping individuals and families cope with life and emotional challenges, build on their strengths, improve relationships, and regain balance and clarity.

My focus

I work with adults and older adults seeking support when life feels overwhelming or uncertain. You might want a safe space to be heard or be navigating difficult emotions, loneliness, self-esteem, work or relationship challenges, or life transitions. Together, we’ll explore your needs, build coping tools, and reconnect with what matters most.

My approach

I take a collaborative, flexible approach grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and informed by mindfulness, trauma-informed care, and strengths-based practices. Together, we'll create a safe, non-judgmental space to understand patterns keeping you stuck, develop effective coping strategies, and support meaningful, lasting growth.

My communication style

My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, respected, and truly heard, built on honest communication and trust. I stay engaged and reflective throughout our sessions, asking thoughtful questions, offering feedback when helpful, and moving at your pace so our work is collaborative, supportive, and meaningful.

My journey to mental healthcare

I've always been captivated by people's stories – they broaden my perspective, deepen my understanding of life, and help me connect with others. Witnessing the misunderstanding and inaccessibility of mental health care has inspired me to promote awareness, increase access, and help individuals to feel understood, supported, and empowered.

My goals for you

I see therapy as a collaborative journey of growth and discovery. We’ll work together to identify what you want to change or strengthen in your life and set goals that feel meaningful and attainable. As you make progress, or as your needs and priorities evolve, we’ll adjust your goals to continue supporting your balance and well-being.

Our first session

In our first session, we’ll get to know each other, talk about what brings you to therapy, and make sure it feels like a right fit for both of us. I’ll ask questions to understand your experiences, thoughts, and goals, discuss what therapy may look like, and guide you through the process so you feel supported and understood from the very beginning.

I identify as...

Female
Asian

Expertise

Treatment approaches

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Motivational Interviewing

Psychodynamic

Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)

+ 9 more

Therapy types

Individual Therapy

Ages served

Adults

Practice

Accepted insurance providers

Aetna
All Savers
Allegiance
Allied
Anthem

+ 56 more

Languages spoken

English, Chinese

Education

Master of Social Work (MSW) from California State University, Long Beach.

Sessions

60 minutes

Virtual sessions

Chiungwen Ku