Theresa Kimm
Theresa Kimm
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Theresa Kimm, LCSW(She/Her/Hers)

(She/Her/Hers)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW
New Jersey•Colorado•New York•Pennsylvania
Depression-Substance use-Trauma-Burnout-Asian American Issues-

See Theresa's Details for:

Accepting online

Out-of-network with insurances

$175-$250

AboutSpecialtiesLocationsInsurance & FeesTestimonials

Professional statement

Theresa Kimm, LCSW, is a New York-based Korean-American therapist with nearly 15 years of experience helping high-functioning adults bridge the gap between how capable they appear and how depleted, stuck, or disconnected they feel on the inside. Her clients are often ambitious, self-aware people who have built successful lives by working hard and holding it together, but still find themselves struggling in ways that standard advice, willpower, or productivity strategies haven't been able to touch.

Theresa has a particular focus on first-generation adults, professionals in high-pressure fields, and individuals navigating the emotional weight of chronic overachievement, people-pleasing, or survival-mode functioning. She works with adults facing anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, low self esteem, relationship difficulties, trauma, and problematic substance use — often with multiple threads woven together rather than a single presenting concern.

Her approach is relational, insight-oriented, and collaborative. Theresa integrates psychodynamic and attachment-focused therapy with CBT and trauma-informed practice, helping clients understand the deeper patterns, early experiences, and internal narratives driving their current struggles — while also building practical skills for managing anxiety, emotional reactivity, and self-defeating cycles in daily life. The goal is not just symptom relief but lasting change in how clients relate to themselves and others.

As a Korean American and first-generation immigrant, Theresa brings personal and clinical insight into the pressures of identity, cultural expectation, and achievement — experiences that are often central but unspoken in the therapy room. She creates a space that is direct and engaged without being prescriptive, and clients frequently describe her as someone who helps them see themselves more clearly without judgment.

Theresa offers teletherapy for adults and is licensed in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Colorado.

Message to clients

My hope is that therapy becomes a space where you can finally slow down and better understand the emotional patterns, defenses, and ways of coping that brought you here. That work often involves turning toward parts of yourself you’ve spent years managing, avoiding, intellectualizing, or trying to outwork.

My style is active, direct, and engaged. I offer honest reflection and insight while also creating space to explore what may be happening underneath the surface. I draw from psychodynamic, attachment-focused, CBT, and trauma-informed approaches fluidly, depending on what feels most useful for you. I also believe therapy should translate into real life, not remain purely insight or self-awareness.

Emotional change rarely happens in a straight line. Often, people revisit old feelings, relational patterns, or longstanding narratives before something genuinely shifts. Over time, therapy can help you develop a more honest and flexible relationship with yourself, your emotions, and the way you move through the world.

Work and Education

Years of Experience: 15 years

Pragmatic Therapy Inc, Owner/Practitioner , 2012 - Present
Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Resident Mental Health Program, Senior Social Worker/Psychotherapist, 2022 - 2023
Long Island Consultation Center, Psychotherapist, 2013 - 2015
Harlem United Community AIDS Agency, Social Worker, 2009 - 2012

New York University, MSW, 2011
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, BA, 1993

Licensure

New York: 083579 - Colorado: 09929137 - New Jersey: 44SC06232700 - Pennsylvania: CW023907

Languages

English

Specialties

Depression - Depression often develops gradually after significant stress, loss, burnout, or long periods of functioning in survival mode. Many high-functioning individuals continue meeting responsibilities while privately struggling with hopelessness, self-criticism, emptiness, irritability, or emotional disconnection. Depression is not always obvious from the outside and often reflects deeper emotional patterns, unresolved pain, or ways of coping that no longer serve you.

Substance use - Substance use often begins as a way to manage stress, anxiety, loneliness, emotional pain, or the pressure of constantly functioning at a high level. Over time, alcohol or cannabis can shift from something recreational into a coping strategy used to numb, escape, self-soothe, or simply get through the day. Many high-functioning individuals struggle privately with this pattern while continuing to maintain careers, relationships, and responsibilities on the surface.

Trauma - Trauma can leave lasting effects long after the original experience has ended. Childhood neglect, abuse, unstable relationships, or overwhelming life events can shape self-worth, relationships, anxiety, and the nervous system. Many people cope by over-functioning, shutting down emotionally, people-pleasing, or staying in survival mode without fully realizing how much unresolved experiences continue to impact daily life.

Burnout - Many high-achieving professionals don’t immediately recognize that feelings of apathy, dissatisfaction, anxiety, or hopelessness may be tied to chronic over-functioning and an unsustainable relationship to work, achievement, and external validation. These patterns are often reinforced by family expectations, cultural pressures, and environments that reward productivity while disconnecting people from their emotional needs and sense of self.

Asian American Issues - Many Asian American and first-generation individuals struggle with the tension between personal identity and familial or cultural expectations. Pressure around achievement, emotional restraint, duty, and success can contribute to anxiety, shame, perfectionism, depression, and difficulty developing an authentic sense of self. These conflicts often impact relationships, career choices, and self-worth despite outward success.

General expertise

Treatment approaches

Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Couples
  • Parents
  • Seniors (65+)
  • Teenagers (13-18)
  • Young adults (18-24)

Locations & Hours

Insurance

Theresa Kimm is not in-network with any insurances.

Read about the benefits of seeing an out-of-network provider here.

Out-of-pocket fees

  • Individual sessions:$250 (50min)
  • Sliding scale:$175 - $250
  • Initial session:$250 (50min)

Additional session information

Out-of-network billing options

This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:

  • Super billing
Payment options
  • Check
  • Credit Card
  • Debit Card
  • PayPal
  • Zelle
Session frequency

Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

  • Weekly
  • Every other week
  • As needed
Therapist's note

Please contact me to discuss the fee.

Client testimonials

"Theresa called me right on time and asked many questions! We went longer than the 10 minute time frame, and it did not feel rushed. She truly wanted to understand the issues that were bothering me and figure out if we’d be a good match. I really appreciate how in-depth she went in our initial phone call."
- Zencare client • December 2019
"Theresa was very patient and kind. I felt like it was a safe space for me to open up to her without judgement. The call went over 10 minutes and I could feel that she cared about my wellbeing whether or not I decided to work with her afterwards."
- Zencare client • October 2022
Book a Free Initial Consultation

The practice will call you for a free 10 minute phone call to discuss your needs and ensure a match!

This provider has no upcoming call times available.