You worked so hard to get here. So why does it still feel like you're falling behind?

You got into the program, landed the job, or reached a goal you'd been working toward for years. You thought you'd feel more confident by now, but instead, you're comparing yourself to others, questioning your decisions, or worrying about what comes next. Maybe you replay conversations long after they've ended, feel guilty saying no, or find yourself agreeing to things you don't really want to do. You've spent so much time trying to get everything right that you're starting to wonder what you actually want.

I work with college students, graduate students, and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, perfectionism, self-doubt, relationship challenges, and life transitions. I especially enjoy supporting Asian, Asian American, and multicultural clients, including international students and young professionals. Maybe you're overwhelmed by school, feeling uncertain about your career, struggling with friendships, or having a hard time balancing your family's expectations with your own needs.

I'd like to understand what's been happening in your life, including the things you might not feel comfortable sharing with the people closest to you. Together, we can look at the patterns that leave you feeling stuck, work through difficult emotions, and figure out what might help. That could mean learning to speak up for yourself, becoming less critical of your decisions, or finding ways to handle stressful situations without feeling so overwhelmed.

Identity, Culture & Life Transitions

When I moved to the United States from Guangdong, China, I had to figure out a lot more than how to navigate a new country. I was learning how to communicate in different environments, build relationships, and adjust to unfamiliar expectations while staying connected to the people and culture I grew up with.

That experience has stayed with me, especially in how I think about family, identity, and belonging. I've come to appreciate that we don't always have to choose between where we come from and who we're becoming.

Maybe you're an international student who misses home but doesn't want your family to worry. Perhaps you're trying to make a decision your parents might not understand, or you're finding it difficult to set boundaries without feeling disrespectful. Sometimes, you know exactly what you want to say, but finding the words feels harder when it's someone you love.

I offer therapy in English and Mandarin and especially enjoy working with Asian, Asian American, Chinese-speaking, and multicultural clients. Whether you're navigating family relationships, intergenerational differences, cultural identity, or adjusting to life in the U.S., I'm interested in hearing about your experience rather than assuming I already understand it. You can talk openly about the people, traditions, and values that matter to you, including the parts that feel complicated.

I also enjoy connecting with Chinese-speaking communities outside of therapy. If you'd like to get to know me a little better, you're welcome to read my Mandarin-language bio on Xiaohongshu.

My Approach

You might come into a session wanting to talk about an argument with your parents, a stressful week at school, or something a friend said that's been bothering you. We don't have to turn every conversation into a big breakthrough. Sometimes, it's worth spending time understanding why something affected you the way it did.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and informed by feminist, humanistic, person-centered, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approaches. I like asking questions, getting curious about how you've learned to handle certain situations, and helping you notice things you might not have considered before. When it makes sense, we can also practice a difficult conversation, work through an anxious thought, or explore ways to manage emotions that feel hard to handle.

I'm not going to tell you what decisions to make or expect you to agree with everything I say. I might gently challenge something you've told me, but I also want you to feel comfortable challenging me. If something doesn't feel helpful, we can talk about it. I see therapy as a relationship where we both bring something important to the conversation, and your voice should always have a place in it.

Whether you've been thinking about therapy for a while or are just beginning to consider it, I'd love to hear what's bringing you here and see how we might work together.

Experience

During my clinical training, I provided individual and group therapy in school and hospital outpatient settings, working with adolescents and adults. I've supported clients experiencing anxiety, depression, academic stress, relationship difficulties, identity exploration, and major life changes, including adjusting to unfamiliar cultural environments.

I'm particularly interested in continuing to learn about attachment, LGBTQ+ mental health, family relationships, and the ways our experiences shape how we see ourselves and connect with others. Through ongoing training and professional development, I continue building my clinical skills and finding thoughtful ways to bring what I learn into my work with clients.

Licensure

As a Clinical Fellow, I am gaining the clinical experience and supervision required to obtain my LCPC. I receive ongoing supervision, training, and education to continue developing my clinical skills and expanding the tools I can offer clients. I am working under the supervision of Lauren Schmalbruch, LCPC.