Luqing Wang

They/ Her

Tier I Therapist

Choosing therapy is a brave and meaningful step, and I want to honor the courage it takes to care for yourself in this way. In our work together, my goal is to create a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space where you can explore your thoughts and emotions at your own pace.

Having lived across cultures for the past eight years, I am open and receptive to questions of identity, sense of belonging, and language. These experiences allow me to support clients from diverse backgrounds with empathy, especially those navigating transitions, cultural expectations, or the search for a place where they truly feel at home.

I believe there are many ways to express emotions beyond language and to offer gentle paths for self-exploration. Therapy sessions with me are about walking alongside you as you uncover resilience, voice, and capacity for growth.

I am particularly passionate about working with young adults who are exploring identity and relationships during times of change. This stage of life can feel overwhelming, but it is also full of opportunities for self-discovery. My hope is to create a space where young people feel supported in expressing themselves, making meaning of their experiences, and growing into a stronger sense of who they are.

I offer sessions in English and Mandarin Chinese.

I specialize in supporting young adults and multicultural clients as they navigate identity, relationships, and life transitions with compassion and creativity.

My Story

From a young age, I have been highly sensitive to emotions—both my own and those of the people around me. In middle school, I began noticing the subtle shifts in my feelings and grew increasingly curious about why emotions arise and how they shape our lives. This curiosity deepened after I moved to the United States in high school, where I had more time and space to reflect on the sources of different kinds of emotions.

My undergraduate years provided me with the psychological knowledge to frame these personal discoveries. As I studied cognitive and developmental psychology, I began to connect theory with self-reflection. I realized how past experiences had influenced my patterns of thought and behavior, and how self-awareness could transform those patterns. This process was not always easy—I often struggled with feelings of helplessness when facing challenges—but gradually I learned to meet difficulties with patience and resilience. Each step of reflection helped me rebuild confidence and reminded me that growth comes not from perfection but from the courage to face one’s own emotions honestly.

These experiences continue to inspire me as a therapist today. I see therapy as both a journey of understanding and a process of growth, one that requires openness, curiosity, and self-compassion. My own path of personal reflection and adaptation as an international student has given me a unique perspective on navigating identity, cultural transitions, and emotional challenges.

Therapeutic Approaches

In my practice, I draw from Trauma-informed, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and art therapy to create a flexible, integrative approach. CBT can provide clients with practical tools to identify unhelpful thought patterns and cultivate healthier ways of thinking, which has been especially valuable in my own journey of learning how to manage emotions with clarity and tenacity. Psychodynamic approaches allow us to explore the deeper roots of feelings and relational patterns, helping clients make sense of how past experiences may shape their present challenges. Complementing these approaches, art therapy offers a creative outlet for expression when words are not enough—a practice that I personally found useful and healing during my own adolescence and continue to view as a powerful way to connect with one’s inner world.

By integrating these modalities, I tailor each session to the unique needs of the individual while maintaining a person-centered and relational foundation. I believe that therapy is not only about insight but also about connection, and the therapeutic relationship itself plays a central role in healing.

Specialties

Creative Expression through Art Therapy

Art has always been more than creativity for me—it has been a way to deal with pressure and make sense of emotions that words couldn’t capture. When you sit with me, I invite you to use art in the same way: drawing, painting, or simply creating as a form of emotional expression. Together, we can give shape to feelings that might otherwise stay hidden. In this space, art is not about producing something “beautiful,” but about finding new ways to connect with yourself and discover healing where language sometimes falls short.

Personal Growth

For much of my life, I have been deeply aware of emotions—the ones within me and those of people around me. That sensitivity once left me feeling unsure of myself, but over time I realized it was also a gift that allowed me to grow. Through study, self-reflection, and personal challenges, I learned that growth isn’t about getting everything right—it’s about having the courage to step outside your comfort zone, to reflect on your story, and to try again even when things feel difficult. In our sessions, we will walk this path together, helping you uncover your strengths and move toward a life that feels more authentic, resilient, and full of possibility.

Relationships & Family of Origin

Family dynamics shaped me in many ways—from the expectations I carried at home to the relationships I built with siblings and peers. Like many, I know what it feels like to seek acceptance while struggling with patterns that make us feel unseen or misunderstood. For some, questions of gender identity, sexual orientation, or finding sense of belonging in the LGBTQ+ community add even more layers to these struggles. In our work together, we can gently explore these patterns, honor the impact of your past, and build healthier, more affirming ways of relating that allow you to feel truly heard and supported.

Cross-Cultural Identity & Adjustment

Moving across cultures gave me first-hand experience of what it means to live between worlds. I know the mix of curiosity and loneliness that comes with adjusting to new environments and searching for the sense of belonging. If you are navigating these transitions, I offer a space where your unique story is seen and valued. Together, we can reflect on the challenges of cultural identity, draw strength from past experiences, and find a new self that feels at home in more than one place.

Emotional Regulation & Resilience

There was a time when I often felt overwhelmed by emotions, uncertain how to respond when life felt heavy. Through self-reflection and training, I learned that emotions—even the painful ones—carry important messages. They are not signs of weakness, but signals pointing to needs we do not yet understand. In our sessions, we will listen to these signals with compassion, uncover the roots beneath them, and practice new ways of responding. My goal is to help you build up inner strength so that you can move forward on your future path with clarity, calm, and confidence.

Eating Disorders

My own journey with art showed me how powerful creative expression can be when words are not enough. That is why I am especially passionate about supporting individuals facing struggles with food and body image. These experiences often carry deeper stories—about control, self-worth, or identity—that can feel painful to face alone. In our work, art therapy can give you a voice when it’s hard to speak, a way to reconnect with your body with kindness, and a safe place to explore new forms of healing. Together, we’ll discover the approaches that feel right for you and move step by step toward freedom and self-love.

Credentials

Supervisor: YuehChun (Avery) Chao, LCAT 002513
Degree: School of Visual Arts - MPS Art Therapy(in process)
Degree: University of Minnesota - B.S. in Psychology

More About Me

Why I Became a Therapist

My path toward becoming a therapist began almost by accident. As a child, I loved reading science books, and one line stayed with me: “The brain is the control room of your body.” That simple sentence opened a flood of questions—why do we think the way we do, why do emotions come and go, and how do they shape who we become? Even as a teenager, I found myself fascinated by these questions, often reflecting on my own emotional ups and downs and wondering where they came from. When I studied psychology more deeply in college, these questions became personal tools for growth. I realized how much my past shaped the way I reacted to challenges—how strict expectations in my family left me feeling helpless at times, and how self-reflection slowly gave me the patience and strength to meet difficulties differently. That process of discovery—of turning confusion into understanding, and fear into resilience—taught me the value of having support along the way. Becoming a therapist felt like the natural extension of this journey: to offer others the same space for reflection, compassion, and growth that transformed my own life.

Finding Magic in the Unusual

If you’re ever curious, we can even talk about how to imagine and create a little monster together. I’ve always been fascinated by things that don’t quite fit the mold—strange creatures in folklore, unusual shapes in nature, or anything that feels a little “weird.” To me, these quirks aren’t flaws; they’re what make the world magical. Outside of therapy, you might find me sketching odd plants, reading about mythical monsters, or simply wandering in nature looking for inspiration. I believe that curiosity about the unknown—whether in the world or in ourselves—is what makes life rich and full of discovery.

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