My path to becoming a therapist began with a quiet longing to understand how people carry pain, love, and change within them, especially in the context of culture, family, and identity. Growing up in Suzhou, China, I was always sensitive to unspoken emotions, both in myself and others. Later, studying psychology, criminology, and drama at UC Irvine helped me give language to what I had always intuitively felt: that we are shaped in complex ways by the systems and relationships around us. When I moved to New York to complete my master’s in Mental Health Counseling at NYU, I deepened my commitment to becoming a therapist who could hold space for people navigating those very complexities, whether it’s anxiety, grief, intergenerational expectations, or the quiet ache of becoming oneself. I've worked with young adults, international students, and individuals moving through life transitions and relational wounds, both in-person and online. My practice is grounded in a trauma-informed, relational approach. I don’t just see therapy as a space for insight or coping skills. I see the therapeutic relationship itself as the heart of the healing. It’s where safety, honesty, and emotional attunement can begin to rewrite the stories we carry. And it’s an honor for me to walk alongside someone in that process.

Working with me means stepping into a space where your experiences are honored and your story unfolds at your pace. I strive to create a warm and safe environment where we can explore not only what’s happening in your life, but how you relate to yourself and others. Our work is deeply relational as I pay close attention to what unfolds between us as a mirror to the patterns in your life. I don’t follow a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, I draw from psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness, CBT, DBT, ACT, expressive arts, and culturally sensitive practices based on what fits you. I value transparency and collaboration and welcome your questions, doubts, and feedback along the way.

I work best with clients who are introspective, emotionally curious, and open to challenges or new ways of seeing themselves. Many of my clients say things like, “I feel stuck, but I don’t know why,” or “I want to understand myself better.” They are often navigating transitions, feeling disconnected in relationships, or questioning their identity, especially within cultural or intergenerational contexts. These clients may not be looking for quick solutions, but for a deeper understanding, emotional clarity, and a space where they can feel fully seen without needing to explain or perform. I deeply respect the courage it takes to engage in this kind of inner work.

My approach to therapy is shaped by a deep belief in relational healing. I’ve come to understand that pain often comes from disconnection from ourselves, our histories, or others. I see therapy not just as a space to gain insight, but as a relationship where healing can be lived and experienced in real time. Growing up in China and later moving to the U.S., I learned to notice what is said in a conversation and what’s not said. I carry cultural humility into the therapy space, knowing that each client brings a world with them. My training in expressive arts also taught me that language alone doesn’t always reach our pain. Sometimes healing shows up in image, gesture, silence, or metaphor; I try to listen to those, too.

I don’t believe therapy is about “fixing” you. In fact, I think that mindset often reinforces shame. What feels broken is often a protective adaptation, something that once made sense, even if it no longer serves you. I also don’t believe therapy always has to be calm or organized. I think there’s value in tension, in sitting with discomfort, in exploring the messy, contradictory parts of being human. I bring warmth and softness into the room, but I won’t shy away from asking hard questions or offering honest reflections. The space between us, what’s said, unsaid, and felt, is where much of the real work happens.