Attachment & Healing
About Dr. Esther Chon
Relational, Brain-Based, and Trauma-Informed Therapy for Adults, Parents, and Children
Compassionate Therapy Grounded in Developmental Science & Deep
Care
Healing doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens in safe, attuned relationships.
Whether you’re an adult processing complex trauma or a parent seeking support for your child, therapy with me is about slowing down, listening deeply, and honoring your story at its own pace. My approach is guided by developmental science, neuroscience, and a deep belief in your capacity to heal, grow, and connect.
Rather than offering quick fixes, I support clients in creating long-lasting, meaningful change—starting with understanding how your early experiences and relationships may have shaped your nervous system, emotions, and patterns of relating.
My Clinical Background
I’ve had the privilege of working in a wide range of settings, including:
- Hospitals and NICUs (Neonatal Intensive Care Units)
- Schools and early childhood programs
- Community mental health centers
- The foster care system
- Private practice
Education & Specialized Training
B.A. in Psychology – University of California, Berkeley
Where I began my studies in parent-child relational development
Ed.M. – Harvard Graduate School of Education
Focused on child development and global education systems
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology – California School of Professional Psychology
Specialized in trauma-informed and systems-focused clinical work
Postgraduate Certificate – Parent-Infant Mental Health, University of Massachusetts, Boston (Napa Program)
Studied under leading figures including Bruce Perry, Daniel Siegel, Barry Brazelton, and Peter Fonagy
Training included:
- Early brain development
- Trauma and its impact on the nervous system
- Infant-caregiver relationships
- Relational healing in early life
These experiences shaped my ability to work with deep attunement, humility, and a strong understanding of how trauma and relationships shape both individual and family well-being.
Who I Work With
Whether you’re seeking individual therapy, parent support, or early childhood
services, our work will be tailored to your story and your pace. I provide therapy for:
Adults
- Individuals seeking to heal from emotional wounds or childhood trauma
- Parents looking to break intergenerational cycles and parent with intention
- Postpartum clients, including those navigating NICU-related trauma
- Adults seeking greater confidence, emotional regulation, and self-understanding
Common Challenges I Support
For Adults
- Anxiety, worry, or panic that interferes with daily life
- Self-doubt and difficulty trusting your own decisions
- Trauma from childhood, relationships, or medical experiences
- Feeling disconnected from yourself, your body, or your purpose
- Shame, low self-worth, or feeling “stuck”
- Navigating the transition to parenting or healing your own early wounds
For Children & Families
- Frequent tantrums or emotional outbursts
- Defiance, shutdown, or disconnection from caregivers
- Anxiety, withdrawal, or slow-to-warm temperament
- Sleep issues, nightmares, or difficulty calming
- Sibling rivalry or behavior changes after a new baby
- Trouble adjusting to school or new environments
- Exposure to traumatic or frightening experiences
- Medical trauma (including NICU stays)
- Grief and loss of a significant person
Therapeutic Modalities & Approaches
My work integrates evidence-based, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate modalities. Modalities are selected based on your needs, goals, and nervous system—not applied rigidly.
For Adults
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
- Somatic Therapy (body-based processing and regulation)
- Inner Child Work (parts work and self-compassion)
- ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
- Sandtray Therapy
- Trauma-Informed CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy adapted for trauma)
For Children & Families
- EMDR for children
- Play Therapy
- Sandtray Therapy
- Child–Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)
- Dyadic Parent–Child Therapy
- Touchpoints Model
- Mentalization skill building
- Video Intervention Therapy (VIT)
In working with young children, I collaborate closely with caregivers to strengthen relationships and create emotionally safe environments for healing and growth.
How I Work
My therapeutic style is:
- Relational – Centered on safety, connection, and co-regulation
- Brain-Based – Informed by the latest research on trauma and development
- Collaborative – Focused on your goals, values, and voice
- Compassionate – Always honoring your lived experience and resilience
Our work will unfold at a pace that feels right to you—whether you’re processing painful memories, building emotional tools, or learning how to show up more fully in your life and relationships.
Location & Access
I offer:
- In-Person in Federal Way, Washington State
- Virtual Therapy across Washington, California, and other Psypact states.
Ready to Begin?
Healing starts with the first step. Whether you’re here for yourself, your child, or your family, I invite you to reach out.
Schedule a free 20-minute consultation to see if we’re a good fit.
Let’s begin the work of healing—together.
Gallery
Office in Federal Way, Washington
Services Available In-Person & Online Across CA and WA.
We offer both in-person therapy in WA, and virtual therapy for residents across CA and WA.