Arnold Kim, MS, MFT, AMFT
Registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist #157352
Supervised by Linda Yoon, LCSW 85339
Children, Teen, Adult, Couples, & Family Therapist
Top 3 Specialties: Couples/Marital Issues, Anxiety/Depression, Trauma
Location: Arcadia, California, Online
Language: English & Conversational Korean
Fee: $175
Sliding Scale: Available
Insurance: Cigna, Aetna, & can provide superbill for PPO plans
Accepting New Clients: Yes
Client Focus: Teens, Adults, Couples
Specialties: Couples/marital issues, anxiety, depression, trauma, anger management, grief therapy, sex therapy, family therapy
Treatment Methods: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Brainspotting, Psychodynamic Therapy, Play Therapy
Arnold Kim is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who creates a compassionate therapeutic environment where clients can explore their deepest struggles without judgment or the pressure to immediately "fix" themselves.
With specialized expertise in couples therapy, mood disorders, and trauma recovery, Arnold brings a unique philosophy to his work: rather than simply pulling clients out of their difficulties, he believes in joining them where they are to truly understand and accept their pain as part of the healing journey. Working primarily with teens through adults, he excels at helping individuals and couples reconnect with their core values and learn to navigate life's challenges in alignment with what matters most to them.
His therapeutic approach integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Brainspotting, Psychodynamic techniques, and Play Therapy. This diverse toolkit reflects his commitment to meeting each client's unique needs and preferences. Arnold is particularly passionate about ACT's emphasis on accepting pain rather than avoiding it, helping clients develop psychological flexibility and values-based living. His training in Brainspotting, a specialized neurobiological approach to trauma, provides clients with an innovative method for processing difficult experiences that may not respond to traditional talk therapy alone.
With a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and extensive specialized training, Arnold brings comprehensive clinical knowledge to his developing practice. His formal certifications include Brainspotting Phases 1 and 2, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Mental Health First Aid. This robust training foundation, combined with his openness to working with diverse presenting concerns, including sex therapy, demonstrates his commitment to providing comprehensive mental health support across a wide spectrum of client needs.
Outside the therapy room, Arnold embraces his interests in gaming, anime, and Korean dramas, reflecting his appreciation for storytelling and diverse cultural expressions. He finds joy in creative pursuits like writing and cooking, often exploring new restaurants to expand his culinary horizons. His love of tennis provides physical activity and competition, while his enjoyment of YouTube and movies speaks to his curiosity about human experiences and narratives. These varied interests inform his ability to connect with clients across different backgrounds and life stages.
Arnold offers Brainspotting therapy, a specialized neurobiological approach that helps clients access and process trauma in ways that traditional talk therapy may not reach, providing an innovative tool for healing deep emotional wounds.
His commitment to joining clients in their pain rather than rushing to eliminate it creates a uniquely validating therapeutic experience where clients feel genuinely understood before being guided toward change.
Arnold brings versatility and openness to his practice, working effectively with diverse populations and presenting concerns, including specialized areas like sex therapy that require additional sensitivity and expertise.
"I was always taught that listening speaks louder than actual words. I hope clients can continue to learn their core values/beliefs and how it affects the entirety of their lives and start making changes in accordance to how they wish to live their life."
- Arnold Kim