Hello, I’m Dr. Ayoung.

Psychologist. Emotional Intelligence Specialist. Leadership Coach.

I help high-functioning leaders break emotional ceilings and step into clarity, purpose, and empowered leadership.

Born in South Korea and raised between Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Seoul, I grew up navigating the beauty and complexity of two worlds. This bicultural experience shaped how I see people—beyond the surface, through the lens of identity, emotion, and meaning. Today, that lens allows me to support leaders from all walks of life as they make sense of their inner world and lead with authenticity.

I’m a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and founder of CĒDARSEOUL, my private practice based in Los Angeles. Over the past decade, I’ve supported over 1,600 high-achieving professionals—from rising executives to seasoned visionaries—helping them access emotional intelligence as a tool for leadership.

Whether it’s high-performance anxiety, a major career transition, or the quiet ache of misalignment, my work goes beyond symptom relief. I help clients decode their emotional systems, reconnect to what matters most, and lead with calm authority.

At the heart of my work is a simple belief: Nothing is random. Everything is connected. When you learn to trace the emotional threads between your past, present, and future, clarity follows.

If you're ready to lead from the inside out, I’m here to help you build a life—and leadership—that’s not just impressive on paper, but deeply aligned at the core.