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Jun Zhao, LCSW 

They / She

Tier III Therapist 

I am a relational therapist trained in family therapy, sex therapy, and various trauma--
informed practices. My therapeutic approaches are multi-cultural, intersectional,
narrative, and trauma-sensitive. I incorporate mindfulness, breathwork, and my
connection with nature into clinical work with clients and encourage them to connect to their creative sources of healing. I support individuals and families in navigating difficult life transitions, and cross-cultural issues, managing mental health symptoms, processing shame, guilt, and loss, and addressing the impact of systemic oppression on their sense of self and their relationships.

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My practice centers BIPOC and queer experiences. I believe that healing happens
when we recognize that the problem exists outside of us, in the cultural and social
political discourses; and in the active negotiation we participate in between the
contexts and us (liberation). Healing starts when we know what to heal from, believe
that we can heal, and connect with our inner and external resources (relationships,
community, our roots, ancestors, nature, land, culture, etc.) to heal. I am honored
and humbled to work with you in your journey to gain greater knowledge of yourself,
develop better relationships with your body and mind, as well as your significant
others.

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I speak English and Mandarin.

Healing starts when we know what to heal from, believe that we can heal, and connect with our inner and external resources (relationship, community, roots, ancestors, nature, land, culture, etc.) to heal.

My Story

As a first-generation immigrant, queer, non-binary person of color, my journey of becoming a therapist was a journey of healing myself from the collective trauma of systemic oppression and learning to liberate and hope. Through therapy, I witnessed people freeing themselves from internal constraints and forming transformative bonds with their families, partners, and communities. 

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I have a decade of experience in providing community-based mental health services to individuals, couples, families, and groups. Through my work with racially, economically, and sexually diverse populations, I gained profound understanding of the strengths and needs of marginalized families and worked to develop expertise in delivering social justice-oriented clinical service to communities of color and LGBTQ+ communities. 

 

I am passionate about the self-of-the-therapist work and de-colonizing therapy and continue to develop my critical awareness and cultural humility through dialogues, training, and actions. Part of my forever learning is through supporting the next generation of social workers and therapists. I serve as a field instructor at Columbia University, New York University, and Hunter College, where I provide supervision and mentorship to master-level social workers and mental health counseling students in their clinical practice.

Therapeutic Approaches

My theoretic foundation lies in systemic and intergenerational family therapy, post-modern and collaborative therapies, queer theory, liberation-based healing, and trauma-informed practices. I am collaborative, person-centered, warm, and flexible. My experience being a yoga instructor helped me understand the mind-body connection and incorporate somatic awareness, mindfulness, and breath work into my therapy practice.  

Being a nature enthusiast, therapy for me is like trekking through the wilderness with a company. Perhaps this part of the trail is particularly challenging, perhaps you’re lost, not sure where to go next, or perhaps the storm and fog blocked you from reaching your travel partner (s). I accompany you through this part of your journey, and support you in finding your path and your community.

Specialties

Family system therapy, issues with sex and sexuality, communication & intimacy issues, relational rupture and trauma, racial trauma, stress from immigration and acculturation, impact of systems of oppression, life transitions, parenting support, Identity development, diagnosis such as Depression, Anxiety, and PTSD.

Credentials 

  • License: New York State / Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-090171)

  • Degree: Case Western Reserve University/Master of Science in Social Administration (equivalent of Master of Social Work)

  • Certified and Registered: Yoga Teacher 200-hours (Yoga Alliance)

  • Certificate: Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (ICEEFT) Externship

  • Certificate: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy training

  • Certificate: Clinical Externship, Live Clinical Supervision, and Core curriculum in Family Therapy (Ackerman Institute for the Family)

  • Certificate: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

  • Certificate: Bright Beginning and Personal Best from Center for Developing Child (Ackerman Institute for the Family)

  • Certificate: Visiting Coach for family visitation program (City of New York
    Administration for Children's Services)

  • Advanced Training: Sex Therapy Certificate Program (California Institute for Integral Studies)

  • Advanced Training: Uncovering Racial Trauma series (Dr. Kenneth V. Hardy, 
    Eikenberg Academy for Social Justice)

  • Advanced Training: Child-Parent Psychotherapy (Dr. Ana M. Rodriguez, PhD)

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