Stacy Ko

Dr. Stacy Ko is a licensed psychologist in California (PSY 32934) who works with couples and individual adults navigating emotional disconnection, high-intensity conflict, trauma-related relationship patterns, and uncertainty about the future of their relationship. Her work is grounded in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and shaped by a trauma-informed lens that emphasizes emotional regulation, containment, and support for partners who experience overwhelm or shutdown. She also provides EFT-informed discernment counseling for couples navigating mixed agendas or uncertainty about staying together.

Dr. Ko completed her PhD in Counseling Psychology at Iowa State University, followed by an APA-accredited internship at the VA Los Angeles Ambulatory Care Center and a postdoctoral residency in the Family Mental Health Program at the VA San Diego Healthcare System, where she specialized in providing evidence-based couples therapy to diverse couples navigating complex relational stressors. During her training, she published multiple first-author and coauthored papers in peer-reviewed journals, taught undergraduate psychology courses, and provided supervision to undergraduate and early-stage doctoral trainees. Her work was recognized with several university-level and national awards for research excellence, teaching, and contributions to the field. She has completed advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) through the International Centre for Excellence in EFT, and continues ongoing, in-depth study and supervision as part of her commitment to deep, attuned clinical work and excellence in care. Before joining Summit Psychotherapy Center, Dr. Ko maintained a private practice focused on trauma-impacted and high-conflict couples.

Dr. Ko’s clinical style is warm, grounded, and deeply attuned, with a strong, containing presence that helps partners stay regulated as she actively guides them through difficult emotional territory. She helps partners slow down reactive patterns, understand the protective strategies that keep them stuck, and access the deeper emotions that make repair possible. Her work is especially suited for couples experiencing intense escalations that are difficult to slow down, trauma-related relationship patterns, emotional overwhelm or shutdown, and relationship ambivalence.

Outside of work, Dr. Ko enjoys exploring new restaurants, going to comedy shows, cooking and baking, watching true crime and reality TV, and spending time with her young daughter.