Rosemary Koo, LMSW

She/ Her

Tier II Therapist

Have you ever felt stuck or overwhelmed by life’s challenges and transitions? You are not alone. I understand how difficult and discouraging these moments can feel. Even when you are in the fog of uncertainty, I firmly believe that your inner strengths and resources are always there, patiently waiting to be uncovered.

By reaching out for support, you have already taken a courageous first step! As a therapist with over 5 years of experience, I am here to walk alongside you, step by step, through these challenges. Together, we will uncover your strengths and explore the deeper meaning behind your experiences, regaining confidence and clarity to face life’s challenges.

I speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, and offer both in-person and online sessions, with availability on weekdays and weekends. I look forward to supporting you on this journey!

I am here to guide you in uncovering your strengths and finding clarity, helping you embrace your journey with resilience and confidence.

My Story

My journey to becoming a therapist began with the invaluable support I received during my own emotional highs and lows as a teenager. Experiencing the profound impact of that support inspired me to extend the same transformative care to others. Growing up as an Asian adult, I faced the struggles of balancing independence with family cohesion, striving to meet academic and family expectations, and navigating the pressure to achieve perfection. During this time, the support I received felt like a guiding light, helping me find hope amidst the challenges.

Over the past 5 years, I have worked with hundreds of young individuals and their families, guiding them to overcome a wide range of behavioral, mental health, and relational challenges. I have witnessed the laughter and tears that accompany teenage growth and have seen firsthand the powerful transformations in mental health and family dynamics. These experiences continually reaffirm my passion for supporting individuals in their journey of growth. My commitment to this work has brought me to my role at Ally Counseling and Therapy, where I am here to support and guide you as you embark on your own path of transformation.

As an interactional student and new immigrant to the United States, my personal experiences have deepened my empathy for others on similar paths. I understand the challenges of overcoming language barriers, navigating culture shock, and managing the pressure of acculturation, all while managing the loneliness of being far from loved ones. As a person of color with a bicultural background, these experiences have fueled my determination to support international individuals and immigrants. Together, we will explore and embrace your cultural roots, build a sense of multicultural identity, and process complex emotions, building resilience as you adapt to these changes.

Therapeutic Approaches

I strive to create a warm, genuine, and non-judgmental space where you can feel safe, grounded, and comfortable sharing your thoughts, knowing that you will be truly heard. I view the therapeutic relationship as a collaborative process. My goal is to build a partnership with you, where your inner resources and life experiences are deeply valued as we work towards your therapy goals.

Through my experience, I have come to recognize how much our environment shapes our well-being. I take a holistic approach, grounded in the person-in-environment theory, which emphasizes the dynamic relationship between individuals and their surroundings. By exploring how family, school or work, and community influence each person, I work with individuals to gain a better understanding of these connections and how they impact their lives.

In my practice, I draw from Psychodynamic Therapy and Satir’s Family Therapy Model to delve deeper into these interaction patterns and deepen self-awareness. Sometimes, in relationships, we may feel defensive and lean into unhealthy communication patterns to protect ourselves. In our conversations, we will gradually explore these behaviors and reactions, delve deeper into your defensive mechanisms, and uncover what lies beneath the surface—like the hidden parts of an iceberg. The goal is to connect with your true feelings, expectations, and deep yearnings, ultimately building a more authentic self and healthier relationships.

I also incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to work with you to gain insights into your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, with the aim of developing self-acceptance and creating meaningful changes. One technique I use is Exposure Therapy, which is rooted in CBT. We will work hand-in-hand to gradually face your anxiety and fears, aiming to build your tolerance and reduce your anxiety over time. Additionally, I will guide you in identifying unhelpful thinking traps that influence your behaviors and exploring the core beliefs and assumptions you have developed since childhood about yourselves and others. Through the use of DBT, we will enhance your emotional awareness, manage distressing situations, and regulate intense feelings to support healthy decision-making.

When working with children and teenagers, I often integrate creative arts into sessions to spark conversations, build trust, and promote long-term therapeutic engagement. With these tools and life experiences, I am committed to walking alongside you as you navigate your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. I honor your unique perspective, and together, we will discover the approaches that best support your personal journey and growth.

Specialties

Children, Adolescents, and Families
Children and families today face numerous challenges. Young people are under intense academic pressure, often feeling overwhelmed by competitive college applications and societal expectations. Social media adds to this, affecting self-esteem and contributing to issues like cyberbullying and body image concerns. Anxiety and depression are on the rise, often linked to academic stress and peer relationships. For parents, managing these challenges can be overwhelming, especially when navigating mental health struggles, academic pressure, and social media use.

With over five years of experience in community and school settings, I work with you to build self-awareness of their emotional changes through mindfulness practices and teach coping skills using CBT and DBT to regulate emotions and develop helpful thinking patterns. As a therapist, I also provide a supportive space for parents to work on these issues. I offer coaching on effective parenting strategies, setting phone-use boundaries, and managing conflicts as children seek more independence. Using family therapy techniques, I work with you to strengthen communication, deepen family bonds, and successfully navigate transitions.

Emotional Disturbance and Regulation
Depression and anxiety are among the most common reasons individuals seek therapy with me. Persistent low mood and lack of motivation can deeply affect how we manage stress, relationships, and daily life. These conditions often lead to overwhelming emotions, intensifying negative thinking patterns, and difficulty regulating feelings. In therapy, I use CBT and DBT with you to identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts, understand the connection between emotions and behaviors, and develop practical coping skills. Through these approaches, I support you in building emotional resilience, healthier stress management, and greater control over both emotions and thoughts.

Relational Dynamics
Relational dynamics, especially within families, often shape how we manage their emotional responses. Parental relationships and attachment styles, influenced by early family of origin experiences, play a significant role in how we connect with others. In Asian families, cultural values such as duty, respect for elders, family harmony, and reserved emotional expression can create additional layers of complexity, sometimes leading to conflict, misunderstandings, or emotional distance. As a therapist, I recognize these challenges and address these dynamics by exploring communication patterns, family roles, and deeper emotional needs through Satir’s Family Therapy Model. My goal is to work with you to gain a deeper understanding, heal from past relational traumas, and develop more open relationships that honor both individual and cultural values.

Life Transition and Adjustment
As someone who has been an international student and a new immigrant, I understand the challenges of navigating a new cultural and educational/ work environment, as well as unfamiliar social dynamics. We as International students and new immigrants often struggle with homesickness, culture shock, new academic/ work expectations, and difficulties in building relationships. These challenges can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and uncertainty about one’s identity and future. As a therapist, I support you through these transitions using a holistic therapeutic approach. I work with you to explore their family dynamics and cultural backgrounds, gaining a deeper understanding of your emotional needs and personal identities. I also work with you to identify their resources and strengths to develop coping skills and enhance distress tolerance. Together, we work towards personal growth, strengthening social connections, and finding a sense of belonging in their new environment.

Credentials

License: New York State / Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW-123734)
License: Hong Kong Social Workers Registration Board / Registered Social Worker (RSW-23456)
Supervisor: Huilin Lai, LCSW-R081942
Degree: Columbia University/ Master of Social Work
Degree: The University of Hong Kong/ Bachelor of Social Work
Certificate: Youth Mental Health First Aid (2023)
Advanced training: Motivational Interviewing (2022)

More About Me

Outside of work, I enjoy a balance between solitude and social connection. In my quieter moments, I love practicing calligraphy and embroidery - both of which allow me to be fully present, immersed in the flow of creating letters or patterns. Recently, I have been challenging myself by taking up running, working toward completing a half marathon next spring!

On the more extrovert side, I deeply cherish my relationships. My friends, family, and my cat are my greatest treasures, and I prioritize staying connected with them, whether it is sharing everyday moments or offering a listening ear to their joys and struggles. The sense of connection I feel with my loved ones is my deepest source of motivation and energy.

Book a Session with Rosemary