Dr. Shao-Jung "Stella" Ko

Welcome—I’m glad you’re here. ⭐

Hi, I'm Dr. Stella Ko, a licensed psychologist in California who provides therapy in both English and Mandarin. I specialize in helping adults navigate anxiety, stress, life transitions, relationship concerns, identity development, cross-cultural adjustment, and LGBTQ+ experiences.

As a bilingual psychologist and former international student, I understand the complexities of balancing multiple cultural identities, family expectations, and personal values. I especially enjoy working with immigrants, Asian and Asian American clients, first-generation professionals, and anyone looking for a space to better understand themselves and create meaningful change.

Throughout my career, I've worked with adults in college counseling, community mental health, and correctional settings, supporting clients with diverse backgrounds and life experiences. I believe therapy is more than just coping with difficult moments—it's an opportunity to better understand yourself, strengthen your resilience, and create lasting change. It is a privilege to walk alongside my clients as they move toward greater self-compassion, confidence, and emotional well-being.

If you are ready for meaningful, reflective, and trauma-informed work, I’m here to walk alongside you.

***Currently accepting new clients within the Monday-Friday 10AM-3PM timeframe***

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are interconnected. In sessions, we work together to notice unhelpful thinking patterns, build healthier coping strategies, and practice new skills that support long-term change. I often integrate CBT to help clients manage anxiety, stress, perfectionism, and self-criticism, relationship issues, especially within cross-cultural or high-pressure environments.

Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

I incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients build psychological flexibility—learning to make space for difficult emotions while staying aligned with their values. ACT allows us to explore what truly matters to you, reduce the struggle with internal experiences, and take committed steps toward meaningful goals. This approach is especially helpful for clients navigating identity development, life transitions, career decisions, grief, family issues, and other stressful situations.

Mindfulness-Based Therapy

Mindfulness is woven throughout my work to support clients in slowing down, grounding themselves, and building awareness of their internal experience. I guide clients through practical mindfulness exercises—such as breathing, grounding, and present-moment awareness—to reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and increase clarity. I also incorporate culturally sensitive mindfulness practices that honor each client’s background, comfort level, and preferences.

In our first session, we’ll focus on getting to know you and what brings you to therapy. I’ll ask questions about your current concerns, your background, and what you hope to work on. There’s no pressure to share everything at once— we’ll move at your pace. We’ll also talk about what therapy might look like going forward and what approaches may fit your needs. My goal is for you to leave the first session feeling heard, supported, and with a better sense of how we can work together.