About me

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       Welcome! I’m Kim Gibson, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (CA LPCC 605) and Registered Art Therapist (ATR 03-208). I specialize in working with teens and adults with ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence, including autism. I also help clients navigate anxiety, depression, burnout, chronic health conditions, perfectionism, trauma, emotion dysregulation, and life transitions.

      I offer in-person therapy in Mar Vista, on the Westside of Los Angeles, and online throughout California.

I find that a common thread among many of these experiences is feeling dismissed or misunderstood. You may have learned to cope by turning inward with self-criticism or by trying to meet others’ expectations through perfectionism and people-pleasing. Learning to meet yourself with curiosity and compassion can be a powerful step toward a different way of relating to yourself.

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Education

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     I earned my B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, where I double-majored in Studio Art and Psychology. I went on to earn my first master’s degree in Art Therapy from Nazareth College in Rochester, New York. During that grad school program, I completed internships in a county jail, a teen substance use treatment program, and a children’s medical hospital.

      I earned my second master’s degree in Counseling from California State University, Long Beach. There, I trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based approaches to trauma treatment through a campus clinic and an intensive outpatient program (IOP).

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Experience

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      My clinical experience spans inpatient behavioral health, intensive outpatient treatment centers (IOPs), substance use programs, domestic violence shelters, and a group private practice.  During my internships and associate-level clinical work, I received training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), self-compassion, and mindfulness-based approaches.

       Since becoming licensed, I have completed trainings in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE).

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Approach

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     My style is compassionate, nonjudgmental, and collaborative. I strive to create an affirming space where you can explore the parts of yourself that feel important to you, knowing that your experiences will be met with curiosity and respect.

      I draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), self-compassion, mindfulness, and relational approaches. My work is trauma-informed, meaning that your safety, autonomy, and trust are central to our work together. I am committed to providing culturally sensitive, LGBTQ+-affirming, and neurodiversity-affirming care.

     My approach is integrative and balanced, blending an understanding of how your past shapes your present with practical ways to move toward the future you want. I offer a thoughtful, supportive space where we can explore your experiences, develop tools to help you feel more grounded, challenge unhelpful narratives, strengthen your self-confidence, and live more authentically in alignment with your values. Together, we’ll work to deepen your self-trust and help you navigate life’s challenges with greater ease, flexibility, and creativity.

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Values

     I think of values as a compass that guides how we approach life. Here are a few of my personal values that inform my work:

• Compassion

• Curiosity

• Skillfulness

• Supportiveness

• Self-expression and creativity

• Well-being