Discover Beauty in the Unraveling
ABOUT THE THERAPIST
Tate Kyungmin Chang, MA, LPCC
I’m passionate about creating a non-judgmental safe space for people asking spiritual and existential questions and helping them see how beautiful they are in the midst of uncertainty and change. I specialize in working with adults wanting to process various challenges related to adverse religious experiences, rigid belief systems, high control environments, and toxic family relationships.
In particular, I enjoy coming alongside Christians and ex-evangelicals that are navigating painful experiences in the church, folks that are deconstructing their faith and stuck in cycles of addiction. I also really enjoy working with couples and helping them rediscover love and intimacy. The common thread through all my work is my utter fascination of people’s stories - whether it’s a complex, romantic, or seemingly boring one, there literally is nothing I’d rather be doing in this world (and I’ve been on many epic adventures!) than sitting with you and your story.
Hi! I’m so glad you’re here.
I know the journey towards wholeness is not always easy, and it can feel hopeless and painful at times - especially if you’re walking away from harm or from familiar environments and structures that were once a source of safety. Rigid families, spiritual trauma, and high-control environments can often lead to feelings of shame and isolation, and disconnection from yourself and others. Those of us that are hurting need safe spaces to get deeply curious, explore, and heal without someone claiming to have all the answers or feel the pressure to give the “correct” answer.
Together we can unravel parts of your story, discover the messy parts, and the beautiful parts too, and learn to reconnect to your most authentic self. My interest in this work was inspired by other counselors, mentors, and friends that were able to fully see me in the midst of confusion, chaos and uncertainty. I’d be honored to create and hold that kind of space for you.
My Story
I was that kid growing up that would ask my parents everything. Questions never stopped. I think sometimes it was endearing, and often times annoying! That curiosity coupled with many life transitions, immigrating from Korea, moving 15+ times, changing careers numerous times (corporate executive-> non-profits -> caregiver-> full-time ministry -> therapist), led me to explore and experience many traditions of Christianity (reformed Protestants, Catholicism, Charismatic mystic types and everything in between), and to volunteer and live in 6 different countries, sometimes hitchhiking with strangers, and pondering life’s meaning. Often times in the midst of these communities, I felt the most supported, understood, and full of purpose. And other times, I felt that certain religious communities didn’t know how to engage with doubts, questions, and uncertainty.
The container for me to explore and better understand God and myself became smaller, instead of expanding and growing with me. The more traditions I became exposed to, and the more cultures that I experienced, questions arose of how much of what I had been taught had been more cultural interpretations, not purely spiritual revelations. Every 5-7 years or so, I find myself going through my own deconstruction of who I thought God was and discerning and reassessing elements of evangelical western American Christian culture.
As a highly sensitive person navigating conflicting church messages, different power dynamics and cultural norms, and a people-pleasing desire to be liked, it was difficult at times to feel safe processing the big big questions of life without feeling judged and feeling the need to conform, as a way of belonging. While I don’t have all the answers, this spiritual journey has led me to a place of greater connection, feeling more grounded and authentic, and has built this deep empathy for others that may be looking for safe places to process their unique experiences.
Education and Credentials
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) California #13917
ALC, Alabama #04218 under supervision of Monica Harbarger, LPC-S
PPS, School Psychology
Ed.S School Psychology, California State University, SacramentoM.A. Psychology, California State University, Sacramento
M.B.A. Brand Management, University of Wisconsin- Madison
B.A. Economics, Northwestern University
BMus. Vocal Performance, Northwestern University
Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) Trained
EMDR Trained
Human to Human
I used to think the word “human” had negative connotations…now I think it’s a pretty sweet thing.
I’m an avid sports fan and aspiring standup comic. I love traveling and volunteering in developing countries, nerd out on board games and podcasts, sing when no one is watching, and spend way too much time watching social experiments on YouTube.