Peihang Li

She/ Her

Tier II Therapist

“No feeling is final.”
— Rainer Maria Rilke (20th-century German poet)

I have always believed that everyone possesses their own unique strength, and that trust and support have the power to bring about meaningful change.

At certain moments in life, we may feel stuck, lost, or even begin to doubt ourselves. But please remember: even in the darkest times, you hold the strength to rise again. As Rilke reminds us, no feeling is eternal. Emotions shift, pain softens, and new possibilities quietly begin to emerge.

As a therapist, I hope to be a companion on a part of your journey–walking alongside you with warmth and steadiness. I will offer personalized support and approaches tailored to your needs, helping you recognize your inner strength and gently find your own rhythm and way forward.

Everything you’ve experienced matters. I’ll be here, walking with you.

Trust and support are catalysts for unlocking individual resilience and fostering growth through personalized therapeutic approaches.

My Story

After becoming a volunteer for suicide prevention, I came to understand more deeply that many people are quietly carrying emotional pain. What they long for is simply a safe space where they can speak freely and feel understood.

On the other end of the phone, some are struggling with long-term emotional distress. Some are facing sudden and overwhelming life events. Others feel suffocated by the weight of daily responsibilities. Through countless moments of listening, I began to see their inner resilience. Those who pick up the phone and choose to speak are already reaching out to themselves in an act of quiet strength.

These experiences gradually helped me develop skills in crisis intervention and emotional support. I learned how to help callers stabilize their emotions, make sense of their distress, and find ways of coping or accessing the resources they need.

They also led me to commit more firmly to the path of counseling.

I believe we don’t need to be in crisis to seek help. Anyone who wishes to be heard and understood deserves a space that is safe and free of judgment. My work is to offer that space and to walk with you in a relationship built on warmth and steadiness. Together, we will face, make sense of, and gradually integrate the emotions and experiences that may once have felt overwhelming.

I also believe the body carries emotional memory. Sometimes we think we have forgotten, but the body remembers quietly. Emotions that feel stuck may be resting somewhere between breaths, waiting to be heard and understood.

In counseling, I will support you in reconnecting with your body and your emotional experience, so you can gradually restore a relationship with yourself that feels grounded, gentle, and strong.

Therapeutic Approaches

Individual Therapy

I believe that every person's story is unique, and therapy should never be a one-size-fits-all process.

My approach to counseling is integrative. I’ll choose what best supports you based on your current needs and emotional state. In our work together, I draw from a range of therapeutic perspectives, including Internal Family Systems (IFS), attachment theory, mindfulness-based therapy, positive psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

If you're open to it, we can also include more creative and expressive forms of exploration, such as drawing, music, or movement. These approaches can sometimes make it easier to express emotions and allow inner experiences to be seen and released in a gentle, embodied way.

Couple Therapy

In couples counseling, I am trained in the Gottman Method. I believe that every conflict has two perspectives, and each one deserves to be heard and understood. My role is not to determine who is right or wrong, but to help both partners express their feelings and needs more clearly, and to understand each other's responses and positions more deeply.

Sometimes, this kind of dialogue helps couples repair their relationship and rebuild emotional connection. Other times, it allows both partners to honestly face the reality of the relationship and make choices that are more aligned with where they truly are.

Specialties

Multicultural and gender identity–related concerns

This includes cultural adjustment, identity exploration, cross-cultural communication challenges, as well as issues related to immigration, studying abroad, or navigating different cultural backgrounds. I also support LGBTQ+ individuals in finding their place while navigating gender, sexuality, family dynamics, and societal expectations.

Attachment and childhood relational wounds

Early relationship experiences often shape how we see ourselves, relate to others, and respond emotionally. I can support you in understanding those patterns and building a greater sense of inner safety.

Emotional struggles

Such as anxiety, depression, emotional ups and downs, harsh self-criticism, or self-doubt. Together, we’ll find ways to better understand and regulate these emotional experiences.

Body and self-connection

This includes body image concerns, identity, or feeling disconnected from physical sensations. Learning to tune into the body can often help us make more sense of our emotions and inner world.

Couples work

I help partners express their needs and feelings more clearly and understand each other with more compassion. Whether you’re looking to reconnect, work through conflict, or reflect on the future of the relationship, I’ll be here to support both of you through the process.

Credentials

License: New York States/Mental Health Counselor - Limited Permit (MHC-LP) P137160
Supervisor: Zhenyi Yang, LMHC: 014609
Degree: New York University - M.A. of Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness
Degree: New York University - B.S. of Applied Psychology
Advanced Training: Level 1 Trainings in Gottman Method Couples Therapy

More About Me

Outside of being a therapist, I’m also a dancer and someone who finds joy in music. I started dancing when I was three, beginning with traditional Chinese dance. My early training taught me to pay attention to detail and expression, which helped me fall in love with the beauty and power of movement.

One performance that truly changed me was the ballet Don Quixote. I was completely captivated by Nela’s portrayal of Kitri–her fiery red dress and the passionate spins left a deep impression on me. That night lit a spark in me, inspiring me to take up ballet myself.

As I delved deeper into the ballet world, I met people from all walks of life–energetic high schoolers, my peers, and graceful grandmas in their seventies–brought together by a shared love of dance. That kind of connection formed through a common passion is something I truly cherish.

I also noticed that many dancers struggle with mental health challenges, things like body image issues, disordered eating, and the constant pressure to meet certain physical ideals. Their dedication and passion are inspiring, but those pressures are very real. Seeing this made me want to better understand and support them.

Dance and music have always been an important part of my life. They continue to ground me and remind me why I chose the path I’m on today.

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