Shiyang Yu

She/ Her

Tier I Therapist

“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” – Carl Rogers

Maybe this is your first step toward slowing down—toward tuning in to the parts of yourself that often go unheard. In a city as fast-paced and bright as New York, it can take immense courage to simply pause, let alone open up. If you’ve been feeling the tension of cultural dislocation, wrestling with your identity, stuck in painful relationship patterns, or caught in cycles of anxiety and emotional overwhelm—you’re not alone. Maybe you’re standing at a life crossroads. Or maybe you’ve just felt an unnamed emptiness creeping in.

Whatever you’re feeling, it matters. Your pain deserves tenderness. Every emotion carries a message. Every struggle contains the seed of healing. And healing begins with courage that is the kind you already hold, even if it hasn’t yet been fully seen or supported.

As a bilingual, integrative therapist, I offer both English and Mandarin counseling online and in person. My style is warm, intuitive, and gently curious. Whether you’re working through relationship challenges, identity questions, life transitions, or the search for deeper meaning, I’ll be here to hold space with steadiness and care. Together, we’ll shine light on the quieter corners of your emotional world.

There’s no need to perform or keep it all together here. We’ll move at your pace, and when you’re ready, we’ll begin finding your way home to clarity, connection, and the life you want to live.

I believe we all carry within us a quiet spark for transformation. I’ll be by your side, helping you turn confusion into clarity and growth and walking with you as you rediscover the truest version of yourself.

My Story

My professional path has always revolved around one mission: understanding, connecting with, and supporting people. From shaping brand stories in New York’s fast-paced advertising world to training as a mental health counselor, the heart of my work has remained the same—making meaning out of human experience.

My interest in psychology began in a middle school class, when I first encountered The Enneagram. That book sparked a lifelong journey of self-inquiry and acceptance. As I read more, it became clear that I wanted to dedicate myself to this field, even at a time when mental health was still stigmatized in my home culture. That realization brought me to the U.S., where I began formal training in psychology.

What fascinates me most is what drives us beneath the surface of our behavior, our motivations, and how we make sense of the world. During my internship at a psychiatric clinic, I witnessed the deep pain that mental illness can bring. The experience stirred in me a sense of purpose: to help others navigate their suffering with care and dignity.

I went on to complete two years of formal CBT training and opened my own counseling studio in Tianjin. There, I supported individuals facing life’s emotional lows, organized expressive arts salons and OH card self-exploration workshops, and brought mental health conversations into local communities.

Through the work, I’ve come to believe that healing is possible when we’re given the right space—safe, supportive, and without judgment. And I’ve learned that words aren’t always enough. That’s why I also draw on visual metaphor, sensory exploration, and creative expression to help clients find a language that speaks to their inner world.

Therapeutic Approaches

As an integrative therapist, I draw from a range of approaches including CBT, psychodynamic work, mindfulness, expressive arts, family systems, and relational therapy to craft a therapeutic experience that truly fits each individual. There is no one-size-fits-all method in healing, and my goal is to meet each client where they are and build a path forward together.

To me, therapy isn’t just about fixing problems. It’s a journey toward self-discovery, making sense of your story, and stepping into your most authentic life. In the safety of the space where you’re fully accepted, you don’t need to be strong all the time or perform for anyone else. We’ll move at your pace, explore what matters, and gently transform what hurts into something that helps you grow.

Specialties

I’m here to support you through life’s transitions, emotional ups and downs, and the complex questions that arise as we grow. My areas of focus include:

Emotional Wellbeing (anxiety, depression, burnout, feeling overwhelmed)
When stress, transition, or inner tension build up, it’s easy to feel drowned by emotions we can’t always explain. Emotions like anxiety, perfectionism, and procrastination aren’t enemies, but they’re signals or ways our minds try to protect us. Together, we’ll explore what your emotions are trying to tell you and help you respond to them with more clarity, care, and choice.

Identity and Self-Worth (cross-cultural challenges, perfectionism, self-criticism)
As someone who has navigated life across cultures, I understand the confusion and loneliness that can come from feeling caught between worlds. I support clients in exploring who they are culturally, emotionally, relationally and help them move from self-doubt to self-trust. We’ll work on building a grounded sense of worth that doesn’t require you to shrink or perform to be accepted.

Relationships and Attachment (attachment wounds, family dynamics, healthy boundaries)
We all long for meaningful connection, but relationships can be complicated. You may feel invisible in intimacy, trapped in old roles, or unsure how to set limits without guilt. In therapy, we’ll look at your relational patterns with curiosity and compassion—so you can cultivate bonds that nourish you and draw clearer lines where needed.

Growth and Life Transitions (study abroad, career shifts, relationship shifts)
Therapy is a space for direction-finding. Whether you’re facing a graduation, job change, or the next stage of a relationship, I’m here to help you explore what comes next with intention and care. Together, we’ll build a path forward that’s grounded in safety, aligned with your values, and true to who you are becoming.

Couple Therapy
Every relationship has its own rhythm of balance and connection. When two people come from different family, cultural, or personality backgrounds, it’s natural to experience moments of miscommunication, shaken trust, or emotional distance. Through Gottman Couple Therapy, I help partners practice empathy, understanding, and constructive dialogue in a safe space. Whether you’re navigating frequent arguments, growing apart, or seeking healing after a significant rupture, I’ll support you in transforming conflict into understanding, and restoring the warmth and connection that brought you together.

Credentials

Supervisor: Huilin Lai, LCSW: R081942
Degree: Master’s in Mental Health Counseling, New York University (Expected 2026)
Degree: Master’s in Marketing, New York University
Degree: B.A. in Psychology, University of California, Irvine
Advanced Training: Level 1 Trainings in Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Advanced Training: Long-term certified CBT program
Workshops: Expressive Arts Therapy Workshop
Workshops: Drama Therapy Workshop

More About Me

Outside of therapy, I find renewal and presence in the rhythms of everyday life. Whether I’m moving through a Pilates flow, grounding myself through yoga, lining up a shot on the golf course, or swirling a glass of wine, these moments bring me back to my breath, my senses, and my center.

I also love photography to capture small, unspoken moments and emotions that often go unnoticed. Earning a sommelier certificate deepened my appreciation for nuance, whether it’s in the flavor of a wine or the textures of a day.

Travel is another passion. For a time, I made it a point to explore a new country every month, learning how people live, connect, and celebrate across cultures. These experiences continue to shape my open-minded, culturally attuned approach to therapy.

And at home? I’m a proud cat person. My Ragdoll cat has been a gentle companion during my studies abroad. Watching her bask in the sunlight reminds me that healing can also come from stillness, softness, and being fully in the moment.

These parts of my life inform how I show up in therapy—curious, calm, attuned to detail, and always grounded in the beauty of connection.

Book a Session with Shiyang