Body-Centered Therapy for Trauma, Identity Affirmation, and Grief

Compassionate virtual therapy integrating body awareness and psychotherapy to support healing, identity exploration, and emotional resilience.

My work integrates trauma-informed psychotherapy with somatic and expressive therapies, including dance/movement therapy, art, mindfulness, and body awareness.

Meet Sujin Ma, PhD, LPCC, BC-DMT

I am a licensed psychotherapist and board-certified dance/movement therapist providing virtual therapy across California. My work integrates somatic and expressive approaches with evidence-based psychotherapy to support healing from trauma, anxiety, depression, and major life transitions.

I have worked with diverse communities, including immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people navigating identity, cultural adjustment, and chronic stress. My goal is to create a supportive and culturally responsive space where clients can explore their experiences, reconnect with themselves, and build lasting emotional resilience.

Education, Clinical Experience, & Research

Education

PhD in Expressive Therapies
Lesley University — Cambridge, Massachusetts

MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration in Dance/Movement Therapy and Body Psychotherapy
Naropa University — Boulder, Colorado

BA in Psychology
Ajou University — South Korea

Licenses & Certificates

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in California (11592) – Board of Behavioral Sciences

Board-Certified Dance/Movement Therapist (1464) – American Dance Therapy Association

Registered Somatic Movement Educator (2005112) – ISMETA

Expressive Arts Therapy based on Movement and Dance Practitioner Certificate – Tamalpa Institute

Professional School Counselor License –Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in Korea

Clinical Experience

I have worked in community mental health and nonprofit settings providing therapy and program leadership for individuals experiencing complex trauma, housing instability, and chronic stress.

My experience includes supporting diverse communities, including immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people navigating major life transitions, identity development, and cultural adjustment.

In addition to providing psychotherapy, I have served in leadership roles providing clinical supervision, supporting clinical programs and staff working with highly vulnerable populations.

Research & Publications

My clinical approach is informed by research on embodied emotional regulation and trauma-informed care.

Doctoral Dissertation

Affirmative Moving (AM): A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study Translating Affirmative Dance/Movement Therapy into a Non-Clinical Frontline Training Model.

This study explored training frontline staff to facilitate a movement-based LGBTQ+-affirming support group designed to strengthen embodied awareness, emotional regulation, and relational safety.

Pilot Study

Affirmative Dance/Movement Therapy Group for Unhoused LGBTQ+ Adults.

This pilot study examined how movement-based therapy can support emotional expression, identity affirmation, and resilience among sexual and gender minority individuals experiencing homelessness.

Areas of Focus

Trauma & PTSD Therapy

Support for individuals processing trauma and overwhelming life experiences. Therapy focuses on building safety, emotional regulation, and reconnecting with your body.
Anxiety & Depression

Support for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, burnout, and chronic stress. Therapy focuses on practical coping strategies and emotional resilience.
Identity & Life Transitions

Therapy for individuals navigating identity exploration, immigration experiences, cultural adjustment, and relationship challenges.
Somatic & Expressive Therapy

Body-centered therapy integrating movement awareness, mindfulness, and creative reflection to help process emotions.

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My Approach

My approach integrates trauma-informed psychotherapy with somatic and expressive methods. Emotions and stress are often held not only in our thoughts but also in our bodies. In therapy, we may use conversation, mindfulness, and creative practices such as movement awareness, reflective writing, or drawing to explore experiences that can sometimes be difficult to express in words.

I work collaboratively with clients to build emotional awareness, strengthen regulation skills, and reconnect with a sense of safety and self-understanding. Therapy is tailored to each person’s unique experiences, identities, and goals.

Approaches I Use

• Trauma-Informed Therapy
• Somatic / Body-Centered Therapy
• Expressive Arts Therapy
• Mindfulness-Based Therapy
• Affirmative Therapy for LGBTQ+ and marginalized identities