Ying Kam, LCSW

Ying Kam is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California with 12 years of clinical experience. She has supported a wide range of people across the lifespan, from children to older adults, addressing concerns such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, substance use and alcohol addictions, relationship struggles, and many other mental health challenges.

Her background includes work in outpatient clinics, inpatient hospitals, community settings, in-home care, and school environments, offering familiarity with diverse treatment settings and life circumstances. Ying draws from evidence-based methods, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing techniques, and solution-focused models to tailor care that is both empathetic and goal-directed.

In practice she guides clients to examine thoughts, feelings, and behaviors while collaborating on realistic steps toward change. Ying aims to empower people to resolve ambivalence and increase motivation for healthier choices. She provides services in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, and is available to work with international clients where appropriate. Her approach balances supportive listening with practical strategies to help clients move toward their goals.

Evidence-based approaches and online support

Ying Kam uses several evidence-based techniques adapted for remote work. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors; it is commonly used for anxiety, depression, stress, sleep and eating concerns, and self-esteem issues. Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, emphasizes skills in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness to help manage intense emotions and relationship challenges. Motivational interviewing is a collaborative, goal-oriented conversation style designed to resolve ambivalence and increase motivation for change, which is often useful for substance use and other behavior changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Ying collaborates with each client to assess needs, preferences, and goals, and then tailors methods so that the therapy plan fits the client's priorities and readiness for change.

Online sessions via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging add practical flexibility. These options make it easier to schedule sessions around work, family, or living situations and allow licensed professionals to provide consistent care even when in-person visits are not possible. The range of formats supports different communication styles and can help sustain progress between appointments.