Ella Han-Mae Chang (she/her)

Licensed Clinical Therapist

Licensed Mental Health Counselor & Board-Approved Clinical Supervisor in WA

Washington, USA - #LH60422207

North Carolina, USA - #16332

English, Korean

Counseling & Coaching Rates

₩180,000 Intake Session

₩160,000 Individual/Couples Session

Psychotherapy Rates

₩345,000 Initial Diagnostic Assessment

₩275,000 Individual/Couples Session

Hi, my name is Ella and I also go by my Korean name, Han-Mae. I am a U.S. licensed mental health counselor and the founder of Healing Together. I was born in New Jersey to parents who immigrated to the U.S. from South Korea. As a second generation Korean-American raised in the U.S. and also having lived in South Korea, I am aware of the support that is needed while navigating between two identities and cultures. I noticed that it can be challenging to experience a sense of belonging living as a foreigner in Korea when there is a cultural and/or language barrier and found it difficult to find accessible support around this experience. Hence, I created Healing Together to provide affordable counseling and coaching to the English-speaking community in South Korea.

I also have the desire to connect Koreans to their motherland through exploring history, culture, and language, so that they can discover their unique identity, and ultimately feel more at home within themselves.

I believe that everyone has their own unique identity that is always evolving. When it comes to my bicultural identity, I have found that my life experience has mostly reflected a sense of sitting somewhere in between the hypen of Korean-American. And in recent years, I have been enjoying the ways my identity journey has blossomed into curiosity and gratitude for the ancestors of my motherland and the connection I feel with fellow members of the global Korean diaspora.

CLINICAL APPROACH

I primarily work with adults and couples that are seeking support with exploring and embracing their unique identity, adjusting to life in a foreign country, exploring career choices, addressing challenges related to ADHD, improving communication in relationships, navigating first and second generation relationships within Korean-English speaking families, adapting to parenthood, and addressing the impact of racism, sexism, and homophobia on relationships. This experience and my multicultural background allow me to bring sensitivity and understanding to expat couples and families living in South Korea, as well as individuals navigating relationships with parents, children, or partners of another culture, such as immigrant parents, adopted children, or inter-ethnic relationships.

My therapeutic approach is grounded in elements of somatic awareness, parts work (IFS), positive psychology, mindfulness, psychodrama, dialectical behavioral therapy, psychodynamic theory, and interpersonal theory. I support my clients as they learn to pay attention to and monitor their physical and emotional bandwidth in order to decrease stress and prevent burnout.

I help my clients explore the narrative of their life in order to gain a deeper understanding of how their experiences have shaped who they are. It is my belief that this deeper self-knowledge helps them discover their desires and feel the freedom to live a life that is aligned with their personal truth.

Choosing to start therapy is a brave and courageous step. It is my desire to create a welcoming, affirming, and supportive space for you to explore your story and unique identity. This is my hope for your experience in session with me, and with any of the therapists and coaches here at Healing Together.

• Education

  M.A. in Counseling Psychology - The Seattle School, Washington, USA (2011)

  B.A. in Psychology - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA (2000)

• Certification

  Licensed Mental Health Counselor & Board-Approved Clinical Supervisor -

  Washington, USA (2013)

  Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor - North Carolina, USA (2021)

• Special Training

  Suicide Risk Assessment & Prevention (2022)

  Leading by Following Course (Sociometry) by Leticia Nieto (2022)

  Organic Intelligence End of Trauma Course (2021)

  Narrative-Focused Trauma Care Level 1 Externship (2011)

  200+ hours of Continuing Education Courses since licensure in 2011

INTERESTS, HOBBIES, & FUN FACTS

I derive a lot of energy and pleasure from spending time with friends and family. I can be perfectly content spending quality time connecting over a delicious meal or enjoying my favorite milk tea with a friend. I feel most myself when I am being creative and thinking up new ideas for my passion projects. I enjoy anything related to the performing arts such as watching musicals, plays, and live music shows. The best part of my day is having impromptu dance parties with my two young daughters. As an extrovert and mother to two young children, I have also grown to appreciate having time to myself by going on leisurely nature walks while listening to my favorite podcasts and audiobooks.