Hello,
welcome to my website!

My name is Minji Yang (she/her) and I go by Minji (see pronunciation here), Dr. Minji, or Dr. Yang. I grew up moving back and forth between South Korea and the U.S. and have lived in the West coast, Midwest, and East coast. During my migration to and fro various areas, I realized that my identity was constantly being shaped by my surroundings, historical contexts, and both Korean and American cultural values. I also found the power of empathy as a English camp counselor in South Korea where I learned how my simple words of compassion could touch the hearts of the students I was overseeing. These experiences led me to pursue a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Maryland at College Park (2015) where I trained to be a researcher and therapist to understand the role of culture in people's lives and how to help people manage life challenges. I graduated with a focus on Asian/Asian American 1st, 1.5, and 2nd generation immigrant stress and coping, international student mental health, and racial minority mental health. I pursued these areas further while attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for my APA-accredited doctoral internship and worked as a Staff Psychologist for 2 years at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor's Counseling and Psychological Services. I then transitioned to San Jose State University's Counseling & Psychological Services in 2017 where I currently work as a tenured Counselor Faculty and Internship Training Coordinator. In my position I currently conduct individual, crisis, couples, and group counseling and outreach/consultation, oversee our doctoral health service psychology internship program, and conduct research as well as service for the university and larger public/community.
 

On a personal note I love nature, playing tennis, finding different food/coffee places, music/concerts, and watching all sorts of TV shows/movies. I look forward to getting to know you as well!