What Inspired Me to Become a Therapist
As someone who is queer, biracial, and a 1.5-generation immigrant, I have my own lived experiences of what it can feel like to exist in-between worlds and navigate spaces that did not always fully reflect or affirm who I was. Growing up across cultures and identities often came with questions around belonging and wondering where or how all parts of me fit together. One of the gifts of these experiences has been learning to build relationships with parts of myself I once believed were unlovable and continuing the practice of embracing my own wholeness.
Healing has taught me that growth is rarely linear—it often feels more like a spiral, where we revisit familiar places with greater understanding and compassion. Grief and loss have been some of my greatest teachers, while joy, creativity, hope, and community continue to ground me. Practicing community care and participating in communities rooted in care and collective liberation are important parts of my life and values.
I have also been deeply inspired by elders, my own therapists, healers, and people in my communities who have shown me what it can feel like to be seen, loved, and accepted across all parts of myself. Experiencing relationships where I did not have to hide or leave parts of myself behind has been deeply transformative and continues to shape the way I show up in my work and deepen my belief in the healing power of being seen, supported, welcomed, and held with care and accountability in our full humanity.
Beyond the Therapy Room
Outside of therapy, creativity, movement, spirituality, and community are important ways I care for and reconnect with myself. I enjoy painting and drawing as ways of giving voice to and integrating what I am feeling and experiencing. I also value moving and connecting with my body through meditation, walking, dance, weightlifting, Lagree, and spending time in nature. My spiritual practice and relationship with nature help me feel grounded and connected to a deeper sense of meaning and purpose. I also find joy in cooking Korean and Japanese food, exploring the diverse cuisines of Los Angeles, tending to my garden, and spending time with friends, family, chosen family, and community.
My Clinical and Community Background
I have been providing therapy and supporting clients since 2016. My formal education includes a B.A. in Psychology from University of Colorado Boulder and an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University, Long Beach.
I have worked in community mental health settings serving BIPOC communities and supporting children, teens, and adults through a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach. My work has also included community outreach and psychoeducation, facilitating conversations around mental health within communities where stigma and systemic barriers can make accessing support more difficult. This included strengthening community care, identifying resources, and exploring ways to support people within their relationships and communities.
It is a deep honor to be invited into people’s lives and witness the courage it takes to heal, grow, and reconnect with themselves.
Hello, my name is Mifa (she/they)
My name is Jessica Mifa Kim, though I go by Mifa (she/her/they/them).
I am a femme, biracial, queer immigrant and, most importantly, a human being who is continually learning, growing, resting, and transforming.
Born in Tokyo, Japan, I later immigrated to Canada and Los Angeles and grew up in Alhambra and Monterey Park, where I feel deeply grateful to have been raised within immigrant communities. I have experienced both adversity and privilege. My experiences across cultures and communities have deepened my appreciation for the complexity of identity, relationships, and the many ways we seek belonging and connection throughout our lives.