Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaitlyn Kuo.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I came to the U.S. with one dream which was to earn my doctoral degree in psychology. I didn’t know if I could survive, let alone succeed, in a new country with a different language, culture, and set of expectations. Like many immigrants, I experienced deep imposter syndrome — the fear that I wasn’t good enough and didn’t belong. But over time, I learned that this very struggle was shared by so many others minorities who felt unseen or misunderstood or being an underdog.
My journey into private practice began with the support of my own therapist, who helped me recognize how much of my life had been shaped by other people’s expectations and anxieties. Learning to listen to myself and take a leap of faith was transformative. When I started seeing clients in private practice, I noticed that most of them were Asian or Asian American and they came to me not because of my degree, but because of who I am. That was my wake-up call: being authentically myself was not a limitation; it was my strength.
That realization led me to create Soulidarity Therapy, a multicultural group practice built on the belief that representation and understanding matter. Our clinicians are talented, passionate professionals whom are minorities themselves. They bring cultural awareness and empathy into every session. Even within our admin team, we intentionally hire from disadvantaged backgrounds to provide opportunity and representation at every level.
Today, I see my work as more than therapy; it’s a mission toward collective healing — helping individuals, families, and communities rewrite what it means to belong, to be seen, and to thrive.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges for me has been putting myself out there. As a psychologist, I was trained to listen, to hold space, and to stay behind the scenes — not to be in front of the camera or on social media. But I realized that if I truly want to make an impact, I have to use my voice.
My goal is to bring mental health education to the public, especially to people who don’t live in California or don’t have access to professional mental health services. There are so many communities that need culturally relevant, compassionate information about mental health — in a language and tone they can relate to.
Stepping into that role has been uncomfortable at times, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. Every message I receive from someone who says, “This helped me feel less alone” reminds me why I started doing this. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being present and supporting others.
We’ve been impressed with Soulidarity Therapy, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m the founder of Soulidarity Therapy, a multicultural group practice based in California that provides therapy to individuals, couples, and families from diverse cultural backgrounds. Our mission is simple: to help marginalized population heal, thrive, and feel seen.
We specialize in culturally attuned and multilingual therapy, helping clients feel truly understood in the language of their heart. Our team currently provides services in Mandarin, Spanish, Tagalog, Korean, and Cantonese, in addition to English. This diversity allows us to reach immigrant families and multicultural clients who often struggle to find therapists who “get” their background and experiences.
Accessibility is another core value of ours. We accept most major commercial insurances because we believe that mental health care shouldn’t be a luxury. It should be accessible to everyone, especially minorities and underserved communities.
What sets Soulidarity apart is our people and our purpose. Our clinicians are talented, passionate professionals who bring both advanced clinical skills and lived cultural wisdom into the therapy room. Many of us are minorities ourselves, which allows us to hold space with empathy and authenticity. Even within our admin team, we intentionally hire individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to create opportunity and representation at every level.
I’m most proud that Soulidarity has become more than a clinic — it’s a community. A place where clients and clinicians alike can show up as their full selves, find belonging, and create lasting change. Because when individuals heal, families thrive; and when families thrive, communities rise.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
So many people have helped me become who I am today. This journey has never been just mine.
My therapist was the one who helped me take the first courageous step into private practice. She guided me through self-doubt, fear, and uncertainty, and helped me trust my own voice. My professor, Dr. Jeff Tirengel, also believed in me before I fully believed in myself.
I’m endlessly grateful to my admin team, who learned everything with me from the ground up. Their dedication, flexibility, and grace through all the chaos are what kept Soulidarity standing.
And finally, my family, especially my brother. He is my hero. He has taken on the full responsibility of caring for our parents so I could pursue my dreams here. His selflessness reminds me every day that success is never an individual achievement — it’s built on the sacrifices and love of those who believe in us.
Every person who’s been part of this journey has not only shaped my career but helped me grow as a person — more grounded, grateful, and human.
Pricing:
- Psychotherapy $ varied
- ADHD testing $350+
- FMLA| Medical Leave $350
- Immigration Evaluation: $1500+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://soulidaritytherapy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaitlynkuopsyd/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaitlynkuopsyd/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soulidarity-therapy-a72b50262/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDxlgSlZxVPZY4x1NUJa_GA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/soulidarity-therapy-laguna-beach-4
