OCD, Relationship Issues, and Self-Esteem Therapy in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

About

As a Korean-American who transitioned from law to psychotherapy, I understand how daunting it can be to confront a life shaped by cultural expectations, achievement narratives, and the desire for approval. In my early years, I learned to silence my inner voice so I could meet those external pressures. When that became untenable, I entered my own therapy, where I began challenging the beliefs I had inherited and the motivations that were driving my choices. That work opened the door to a more aligned path, and my commitment to helping others do the same.

I hold a master’s in clinical mental health counseling, and my work centers on helping people make meaning of their lived experiences so they can move toward a life that feels more authentic and self-directed. I work best with patients who are genuinely excited to learn more about themselves and drawn to depth work that explores the layers beneath their patterns. I’m especially aligned with people who find insight motivating and are open to using reflection as a vehicle toward meaningful, sustained change. 

How I Work

Every person carries a unique story that deserves to be explored with empathy and openness. Through a psychodynamic lens, my work focuses on helping people make meaning of their lived experiences and, in doing so, find the agency to move toward a life that feels more authentic to them.

In my sessions, psychodynamic therapy looks simple on the surface: you sit down, tell me what’s on your mind, and we follow the thread together. The work is open-ended and exploratory — not a checklist or a set of quick fixes. I help you slow down, notice patterns, and understand the different parts of yourself that show up in your thoughts, feelings, and relationships.

Over time, we build a strong therapeutic alliance where you feel safe enough to look inward, see how your past and present connect, and see how they can be detangled and synthesized. My role is to guide the process, ask thoughtful questions, and help you develop insight that allows you to understand your history, create change in the here-and-now, and build a foundation for a more fulfilling future.

What I Treat

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Perfectionism

• Self-esteem and self-worth

• Life transitions

• Relationship issues

How to Decide If I Am the Right Therapist for You

You might be a good fit for working with me if you’re in your late twenties to mid-fifties and you’ve already spent some time in self-reflection. I tend to work best with people who are motivated, curious, and open to deeper introspection rather than quick symptom management.

I’m especially aligned with clients who want a relational, insight-driven experience. If you’re someone who values engagement and feels ready to explore how your past shows up in the present, we’ll likely work well together. You don’t need to have everything figured out-- just a willingness to look inward and follow the threads that emerge.

My approach is a good match for people who enjoy thoughtful, exploratory conversation and want therapy to feel like a collaborative process rather than a structured program. If you’re excited to understand yourself more fully and open to talking about childhood, relationships, and the patterns that shape your life, this work can be deeply meaningful.

Reach out to Crystal: crystal@westtherapygroup.com