Meet Ahra (Esther) Ko | Therapist & Founder of CogniThrive Collective

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ahra (Esther) Ko and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ahra (Esther), how does your business help the community?
As a mental health therapist, I focus on changing one life at a time to catalyze a larger social impact. My hope is that the individual will heal and go on to contribute to society in some form, whether it’s through their families, careers, or a passing stranger. Our communities won’t be well until we are all well.

I’m passionate about helping people persevere through challenges, gain a deeper insight into themselves, and thrive. We’re all equipped with different talents and skills, and I’d say mine have always been the ability to understand people, analyze, problem-solve, inspire, and lead – all of which brought me into the field of mental health.

Currently, I work at LA County Department of Mental Health (DMH), providing therapy to homeless individuals who are struggling with severe mental illnesses, repeated incarcerations, and substance dependence. The work is challenging, but when you see a patient who was once homeless and distrustful of others gradually become receptive to treatment, it is truly a life-altering moment. Homelessness is one of the social causes I deeply care about, and I hope to continue making a positive impact as I carry forth with my work.

Through my career at DMH, I came to value the importance of early intervention and preventative measures before symptoms exacerbate. Simultaneously, I recognized that there are larger systemic issues that can stifle quality care. To address the gaps, I recently decided to launch my own private practice called CogniThrive Collective in efforts to work toward providing whole-person care, rigorous training for aspiring clinicians, collaborating with licensed practitioners and specialists, and focusing on integrative treatment. I plan to transition fully into private practice within the next two years. Making this pivot came with difficult decisions, commitment, and risks due to not knowing how everything may unfold.

Nevertheless, knowing that I’m pursuing these ventures for the greater good, I’m excited about my new chapter as I continue to provide therapy and focus on humanitarian work.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
CogniThrive Collective values integrating holistic, culturally-attuned, and research-supported treatment. When it comes to mental health, there are often multiple issues that are affecting an individual. It’s not always just one factor, but also one’s environment, support system, cultural issues, and systemic problems that are impacting the individual. I’m passionate about viewing and treating the individual as a whole person – which is what holistic care is about.

My specialties include stress management, depression, anxiety, and relationship issues. I’m trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and interpersonal psychotherapy, all of which inform my work with clients. Aside from the specialties, what sets me apart is that I use a multimodal lens to help individuals examine the root causes of their issues, address stuck points, and implement problem-solving approaches. This approach helps me understand clients on a deeper level, which is important in treatment. I’d say that is what’s special about every therapist; because everyone uses a particular approach and has different life experiences, it’s about finding that unique connection and the person who just gets you and helps you to reach your goals.

I’m also equally passionate about leading and guiding other clinicians to do their best work in this field while also preventing burnout that can often be present in community mental health agencies and the larger county system. Insurance restrictions can further limit therapists’ abilities to provide sufficient support, which ultimately affects patient care in the long run.

In response to the challenges above, I’m focused on cultivating a private practice that 1) incorporates holistic treatment supported by research, 2) provides strong leadership for clinicians, and 3) continues to promote humanitarian work to address some of the grand challenges of our current society.

Overall, I’m truly ecstatic about my ventures despite it being a challenging road as a newly minted private practice owner. However, as the saying goes: Where there’s a will, there’s a way. If your heart, passion, and dedication are in it, you’ll always find a way to achieve your goals. I’m also excited about continually learning and growing as a professional, as new research findings are often emerging and changing what we once knew to be true. Learning should never stop. Moreover, I hope to be able to collaborate with other professionals in multidiscplinary fields, not only within the medical field but also in other industries, such as technology, to improve upon how we detect, diagnose, and provide quality treatment for patients. When curious minds come together, many advancements can be made.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m in Mid-Wilshire LA and love how central it is to everything. I’d take my friend exploring around different neighborhoods to experience the rich diversity, cuisine, and scenic locations that the county has to offer – can’t forget the touristy spots as well!

Day 1: Being a coffee lover, the day would start off with a bold cup of coffee at Peet’s on Larchmont. I know coffee aficionados might scoff at the thought of going to large coffee chains, but Peet’s at this specific location never fails to make the perfect iced Americano with a layer of crema on top. Also, this location truly embraces the idea of community; come on a weekday morning, and you’ll meet some wise and intellectual older folks who are always up for talking all things cultural, political, and social. Then, we’d be off to Malibu for a day at the beach, horseback riding along the Zuma Trail for spectacular views, and checking out local restaurants.

Day 2: The Getty Center and LACMA (outdoor jazz concert on Friday evenings). End the day in Ktown for some Korean BBQ at Ahgassi Gopchang and a night of karaoke.

Day 3: A concert at The Hollywood Bowl, where they usually cap the night with mesmerizing fireworks.

Day 4: Grand Central Market for lunch, the Arts District, Little Tokyo, and Olvera Street. Get matcha at Tea Master Matcha Café. Dinner at Bestia or Bavel. Grab drinks at Seven Grand (I return here for one specific whiskey cocktail: House of the Rising Sun).

Day 5: Venture out to Laguna Beach for a little surf lesson. Although it’s all the way out in the OC, Laguna is one of my favorite beaches with its charming stores, cleanliness, and overall positive energy when you’re there. It always rejuvenates me.

Day 6: A day in Culver City! Lunch at Etta (more so for the gorgeous interior and bar), grab an iced Maple Pecan Latte at Millcross Coffee Bar & Kitchen, try hand-pulled noodles from Bang Bang Noodles at the Citizen Public Market (get the Dry Tingling Cumin Noodles, and you’ll be returning for more!), and end the day with The Set Up Comedy Night.

Day 7: Palisades Village for a vibrant atmosphere and lunch at Porta Via (for their the Sauteed Calamari and Rigatoni Bolognese). Go to Larchmont Farmers’ Market on Sunday to pick up fresh produce and fish, grill by the poolside, and unwind with a relaxing evening and sunset views.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There is a handful of people (and a book) that truly deserves recognition for helping me get to where I’m at. First and foremost, my mom has always been my greatest supporter by believing in my potential, cheering me along, and uplifting me with words that would always replenish my hope and strength to keep me moving forward. I also have to credit the book, Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, which was an impetus to my curiosity in psychology as a teen! I can’t forget the clinical supervisors, colleagues, and professors I have met along the way as well; they are some of the smartest, wittiest, and most outspoken people that I’ve known, and I’ve learned many clinical and leadership skills from them. Importantly, I’d like to give a shoutout to my former mentors at UCLA (Drs. Jessica Chiang and William Tsai) who are now professors at Georgetown and NYU, respectively. They have taught me everything about research work in psychology, including how to analyze data strategically and critically. I now apply this lens to discern which research findings and evidenced-based treatments are reliable.

Website: https://cognithrivecollective.com

Instagram: cognithrive

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cognithrivecollective