We believe in service and quality of life. We provide a safe, nonjudgmental, and collaborative therapeutic space to individuals, families, and couples. Please see the Services page to see what we offer. Life is too short, and our hope is that all of us can have a little fun and get as much fulfillment as possible. Please reach out to us by phone, email, or the Contact Us page for a free 15-minute consultation.
Our focus is to help individuals, couples, and families find confidence, compassion, and clarity in meeting their treatment goals. We want to help you take control of your own life's story.
We promise to be there for you every step of your journey. Our goal is to help you grow from your struggles, heal from your pain, and move forward to where you want to be in your life.
As a kid, I loved visiting my grandfather Roy at the farm he built in the middle of nowhere after returning from World War II, where he served as a pilot. We would fish in the lake he dug, gather eggs from his chicken coops, and wander endlessly through the wild east Alabama woods, never encountering another soul. He named his little piece of the world Persimmon, for the bittersweet orange fruit he loved and for the bitterly hard work that gave him such a sweet, private place to raise his family. He used to say, “the greatest luxury in the world is privacy,” and now, as a man myself with a family of my own, I finally understand what he meant.
Therapy is a private and sacred place for me, where my clients tell me difficult things, and I always want them to feel respected and heard. I want them to trust that they are in a supportive, private place. I believe strongly in quality of life, so my therapy is safe and nonjudgmental. It is a place where we increase awareness and work through the tough things so that you can spend more time enjoying the sweet stuff. I was named after my grandfather, and I'm proud to name my therapy practice after his life’s work. I look forward to meeting you and starting this journey together.
I have lived in Birmingham my whole life. I grew up in Trussville, went to high school in Pelham, and now I live in Vestavia with my wife Rachel, daughter Maggie, and two black cats, Rufus and Mabel. I spent some time at Auburn, got my college degree from Birmingham-Southern, my law degree from Samford, and my master's in marriage and family therapy from Alabama. I joke that I've probably been to most of the schools around town. I practice law from time to time, and I have experience working at an eating disorder treatment center, the Capstone Family Clinic in Tuscaloosa, a private practice helping families struggling with divorce, and group therapy at an intensive outpatient program.
I hope that being in my office with me is fun. I like to think that I have a good sense of humor, but now that I'm a father, there might be a lot of dad jokes. I am definitely a nerd who enjoys card games, books, and all types of music. I love sports and cooking shows-one of the few things my wife and I can agree to watch on TV. I also love listening to people talk and hearing their stories, which might explain why I became a therapist.
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist. My license number is L600.
In the whirlwind of life's challenges, finding a safe haven for healing and growth is invaluable. As a therapist, I offer just that—a sanctuary where you can explore, heal, and thrive. My therapeutic approach is rooted in family systems theories, with a special emphasis on attachment dynamics. I integrate a variety of counseling modalities to tailor our sessions to your unique needs. Drawing from my experience at an eating disorder center and a head injury foundation, and my master’s degree in couples and family counseling, I bring a nuanced understanding of the complexities of the human experience.
I provide a compassionate and nonjudgmental space where you can explore a range of concerns such as anxiety, depression, relationship dynamics, or navigating life transitions. I am here to walk alongside you. Above all, my approach is grounded in empathy, warmth, and authenticity. I believe that genuine connection and mutual trust are the cornerstones of effective therapy. My goal is to create an environment where you feel supported, understood, and empowered to embark on your journey towards emotional wellness. No matter where you are on your path, know that you don't have to navigate it alone. I'm here to offer guidance, support, and encouragement every step of the way.
Outside the therapy room, I prioritize self-care through family walks, game nights, coffee with friends, and painting and drawing. I love movies and television.. I can also appreciate a clever comedian and love to laugh. I look forward to walking alongside you as you navigate life's challenges and move towards healing and wholeness.
Hi and welcome! My name is Heeyoung. First of all, I’m glad you’re taking the initiative to take charge of your mental health! I am currently in the Marriage and Family Therapy program at the University of Alabama working toward my Master’s. I am supervised by Dr. Karly Downs, LMFT-S, and in a clinical internship with Roy Martin, LMFT-S, at Persimmon Therapy.
I take a collaborative approach to help you find the tools to get unstuck and make progress toward your goals. As a therapist, I have been working with clients on issues of anxiety, depression, self-esteem, identity, body image, grief, and substance use; peer, family, and romantic relationships; and sexual issues and health. My current clinical focus is on couples and sex therapy. After graduation in May 2024, I will be working toward becoming an AASECT-certified sex therapist.
Over a decade ago, I personally experienced the healing power of talk therapy that can literally save lives and give hope to the hopeless. I hope to do the same for you. I provide a non-judgmental, safe place for my clients to feel heard. I am here to help you recognize the strength you already possess so that you can get to where you want to be.
Intimate relationships can be joyous. They can also be really hard. Couples with a high degree of satisfaction have lower stress and are at lower risk of disease. So it's not just about the relationship; it's about the health of each partner. My goal is to improve connection, affection, intimacy, and emotion to make your relationship thrive.
As a lawyer, I'm used to high conflict. As a therapist, I know that divorce can be the most difficult thing that someone goes through. Whether it is divorce mediation, coparenting, helping with blended families after a divorce, or being there for you during a painful time, I am here to help navigate the complexities of a divorce.
Sometimes when a relationship is suffering, one or both partners may be torn on whether to continue or end the relationship, which can cause stress and anxiety. Discernment counseling is where the therapist aids the couple to gain insight and clarity on the future, so that each partner can explore different paths and have more confidence in their decision.
Eating disorders affect all people in all walks of life, and often you can look at someone and never know if they are having a difficult relationship with food or their own body. Prior to starting my own practice, I worked at an eating disorder treatment facility, and I would love to work with you.
Sex and addiction are tricky and complicated things, and I bring a nonjudgmental approach to helping you control thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. A professor and social worker named Brene Brown said that shame cannot exist out in the open, and I believe that accepting who we are is the start on the road to recovery.
Families are part of what makes us who we are. As a marriage and family therapist, I know families are really important and at the heart of many problems and distress. I work with families everyday and would love to work with you and your family too.
I love people and forming a collaborative and supportive relationship with empathy and zero judgment. Whether it is anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, or any of the other things that hit us in life everyday, I want to be there to support you and help you reach your goals.
To be honest, I don't like the word "disorder." Everybody has at least one, myself included. A disorder does not define us; it is just something that can make things more of a struggle. Whatever you are dealing with, I'm here to help you gain some insight into the human brain and get some relief for what you are dealing with to improve quality of life.
Running a business is not easy, especially if family is involved. I have created businesses for many people and advised them for many years. I help people and companies run their businesses. I can also help with difficult issues that affect us all, such as whether to stay at a demoralizing job or how to be successful in the career we want.
Children learn through the language of play. Play therapy has been shown to increase discipline, obedience, and positive interactions between parents and children. I am trained in different play therapy models including Theraplay, Child-Centered Play Therapy, and Parent-Child Interactive Therapy.
Older couples I meet share a common regret; they wish they had gotten counseling prior to marriage. Whether you are meeting a church requirement for counseling or want a better understanding of your relationship prior to marriage, I am happy to meet with you. I use Prepare-Enrich to help couples gain understanding and insight about themselves, their partner, and the relationship.
Therapy can be about more than sitting on a couch. And overcoming fear can occur by exposing ourselves to it, even though it is scary. If you are afraid of heights, let's go hiking. If you are afraid of certain foods, let's try them out. I would love to try out new things with you and get creative and out of the office.
Here's an article where I answered some questions about Persimmon. https://gosolo.subkit.com/persimmon-therapy/
If I am not in a session, my door will be open, and I would love to meet you. Please feel free to visit anytime during normal business hours. You can also call or email me anytime or reach out to me via the "Contact Us" form to the left.
Phone: 205-617-5612 Email: roy@persimmontherapy.com
Mon | 08:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Tue | 08:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Wed | 08:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Thu | 08:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Fri | 08:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Sat | Closed | |
Sun | Closed |
Persimmon Therapy and Wellness, LLC
400 Vestavia Parkway, Suite 302, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
Copyright © 2021 Persimmon Therapy and Wellness, LLC - All Rights Reserved.
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