What if the life you're working so hard to build isn't actually the life you want?

Maybe you've spent years trying to be the person everyone can count on, making the right decisions, keeping the peace, and doing your best not to disappoint anyone. From the outside, things might seem fine, but privately, you're questioning yourself, replaying conversations, or feeling guilty for wanting something different. You're doing everything you're supposed to do, so why doesn't it feel like enough?

I work with college students and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, perfectionism, self-doubt, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Maybe you're trying to keep up with school or work while quietly questioning whether you're on the right path. Perhaps your family's expectations don't quite match what you want for yourself, or you've spent so much time making other people happy that you're not sure what makes you happy anymore. You might want closer relationships but struggle to express your feelings, set boundaries, or ask for what you need without worrying about disappointing someone.

I know these things aren't always easy to untangle, especially when you've been carrying certain expectations for a long time. I want to understand what life has been like for you, not just the things you're struggling with, but the experiences that have shaped you, the relationships that matter to you, and the parts of yourself you may have lost touch with along the way. We can make space for the questions you haven't quite figured out how to ask yet, without rushing you toward an answer. My hope is that, over time, you'll feel more comfortable trusting yourself, making your own choices, and building a life that feels like yours.

Identity, Culture & Life Transitions

Have you ever felt caught between two cultures, unsure of where you truly belong? I know that feeling. Growing up in Guangdong, China, and later moving to the United States for my education, I've experienced what it's like to build a life somewhere new while staying connected to where I come from. I've learned that finding your own path doesn't mean leaving your culture or the people you love behind.

You can love your family and still want something different for yourself. You can feel proud of your upbringing while questioning expectations you've carried for years. I understand how difficult it can be to navigate those feelings, especially when family, identity, and cultural expectations are so closely connected.

I offer therapy in both English and Mandarin and especially enjoy supporting Asian, Asian American, international students, and multicultural individuals. Whether you're adjusting to life in a new country, exploring your cultural identity, navigating family relationships, or trying to find your own voice, there's room for all of those experiences in our work together.

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 don't have to know exactly what to say or where to begin. Some days, you might need to talk through something that's been weighing on you. Other days, we might notice a familiar pattern, work through an anxious thought, or practice a conversation you've been avoiding.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in feminist, humanistic, person-centered, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approaches. I'll listen, ask questions, and gently challenge you when it's helpful. I also want you to feel comfortable disagreeing with me or telling me when something doesn't resonate. Therapy isn't about me deciding who you should become. It's about helping you feel more comfortable being yourself and making choices that feel right for you.

Therapy isn't about me deciding who you should become. It's about helping you feel more comfortable being yourself and making choices that feel right for you. If this sounds like the kind of support you've been looking for, I'd love to connect.

Experience

During my clinical training, I provided individual and group therapy in school and hospital outpatient settings, working with adolescents and adults. My clinical experience has included supporting clients with depression, anxiety, identity development, life transitions, academic stress, relationship concerns, and the challenges that can come with navigating different cultural environments.

I'm always looking for ways to grow as a therapist, especially in my understanding of anxiety, depression, identity, attachment, LGBTQ+ mental health, and family relationships. Through ongoing training and professional development, I continue learning how to better support the people I work with. I want the care I provide to reflect both what I've learned and what I come to understand about you as an individual.

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.