Lina Liw, Ph.D.

Dr. Liw is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in individuals with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, life transitions, acculturative stress, and grief. She works with children, adolescents, and adults, supporting them as they cope with life challenges and live satisfying lives. Dr. Liw provides services both in English and Korean.

Dr. Liw provides a warm and genuine environment in which a client feels safe and a relationship of trust can be established. She believes that in a safe and non-judgmental space, clients can gain insight and change occurs. Dr. Liw is passionate about helping clients not only solve their presenting concerns, but also thrive in a meaningful life through growth with hope.

She helps clients navigate their needs, values, and goals and provides research-proven interventions to achieve each client’s goals. In this process, Dr. Liw seeks to empower each client and focus on their strengths. Her approach to clinical work is integrative and primarily grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Brief Psychodynamic, and acceptance-based approaches, with social justice and multicultural perspectives. Dr. Liw provides short and long-term therapy, depending on the client’s needs and goals.

Dr. Liw received a master’s and doctorate (Ph.D.) degrees in Counseling Psychology from Purdue University, which is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). During the doctorate, she was the recipient of the Ross Fellowship for 4 years. Dr. Liw completed an APA-accredited internship at the American University Counseling Center in Washington D.C. She also earned a master’s degree in Social and Cultural Psychology at Korea University and a bachelor’s degree from Handong Global University in South Korea. Prior to joining HopeSpring, Dr. Liw worked at college counseling, community mental health, and hospital settings, providing individual therapy, assessments, crisis intervention, and group therapy.

Dr. Liw works with children, adolescents, and adults coping with depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, life stressors, life transitions and adjustments, academic and work-related concerns, grief/loss, and traumatic experiences. She provides culturally sensitive treatment for people of color, second-generation individuals, and international students in their acculturation process and identity development.

Dr. Liw’s research interests and experiences focus on how to improve psychological well-being among underserved populations. More specifically, her research areas include coping with stress, self-concept, culturally relevant coping, acculturation, depression, anxiety, well-being, shame/guilt, and emotion regulation for underrepresented and marginalized groups.