Kim Hogan

Kim came to this field through her own experience in recovery, and it shows. She has a rare ability to be both gentle and no-bullshit — the kind of therapist who will call you on your patterns in the same breath as reminding you that she genuinely believes in you. And she means it. Kim is a humanist at her core, with an unshakeable belief that people are fundamentally good and capable of change.

Before training as a therapist at Lewis & Clark College, Kim studied Communication Design at Parsons School of Design and had a career in visual design — a background that quietly informs the way she thinks about people, systems, and how we connect with one another. She went on to work with houseless individuals in Los Angeles, where she learned to meet people exactly where they are, without judgment and without pretense. That orientation has never left her.

Kim works with individuals, couples, and families, and facilitates group therapy. She draws on CBT, CPT, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Relational Cultural Theory, and ACT — adapting her approach to fit the person in front of her rather than the other way around.

When she's not in session, you’ll likely find Kim courtside, ocean-side, or somewhere in between. She’ll also never say no to dessert.

How would you describe what you do?

One of the founders of RCT described this work as “walking someone home” and that’s stuck with me since.

How did you first become interested in therapy and what motivated you to pursue it as a career?

I’ve been a client for a majority of my life, so when I decided to make a career change, this work felt like a natural interest. The career change was born out of a desire to make an impact at the individual scale, and my love of people.

What educational background or training do you have that has helped shape your work?

I received my Masters in Marriage, Couple, & Family Therapy from Lewis & Clark College, where I also obtained my CGAC and CADC during internship. For individual work, I’ve completed trainings in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, CBT, and CPT. For couples work, I’ve completed trainings in the Gottman Method.

What does a typical session with you look like?

It depends! Usually, we begin by checking in on what’s relevant in the moment. I believe in client-led approaches, but I always have curiosities and paths in mind. Throughout the session, we’ll usually share a laugh, or many.

How do you measure progress?

This is a collaborative process through-and-through, where we’ll define “progress” together––that word is entirely subjective. We’ll collaborate on setting goals for our work so we’re in lock step about what we’re doing. I’ll check in regularly on the relevance of the goals and how it feels like it’s going.

How do you stay up-to-date on research and best practices?

I’m a natural bookworm, so that keeps me in check. I also take classes, trainings, and regularly consult with my peers in the field. My clients also show me my opportunities for growth, and I’ll do my best to fill them.

What’s your communication style, more reflective or direct?

A cop-out answer is that I’m somewhere in between, which isn’t false! But I’m closer to direct––no one benefits from beating around the bush. My approach is direct, but gentle and kind.

How do I know you’ll be a good fit with my cultural background or identity?

I don’t assume I’ll ever achieve complete and comprehensive understanding of a culture outside my own. But, I am committed to self-exploration and evaluation of my understanding of other cultures and backgrounds. I will always approach with curiosity, but my cultural background might not be a good fit for everyone. My goal is to ensure you’re getting the best care possible, even if that’s not from me.