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Zeyang Li
He/him
Tier I Therapist
“The wound is the place where the light enters you.” – Rumi (13th-century Persian poet)
I believe that everyone has the capacity to grow and to heal. Resilience, to me, is not a fixed trait—it’s something we can nurture over time, especially when we feel seen, supported, and understood. As a therapist, I will help you reconnect with your inner strength and make space for the full range of your emotional experience. I will walk with you through uncertainty, pain, or confusion, and support you in facing challenges with courage and self-compassion.
I will offer a steady, grounding presence—one that holds space without judgment. I will listen with care, and respond with honesty and warmth. Together, I will help you recognize the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and support you as you move toward new ways of being that feel more aligned with who you truly are.
I offer a steady, compassionate presence to help you reconnect with your inner strength, face challenges with courage, and move toward a life that feels true to who you are.
My Story
My journey to becoming a therapist has been shaped not just by professional training, but by years of personal reflection and lived experience across cultures. I was born and raised in China and came to the U.S. for high school, a transition that challenged and expanded how I think about identity, emotion, and connection. Living between cultures taught me to pay close attention to the invisible expectations we carry—about who we should be, how we should feel, and what it means to be “strong.”
Over time, I’ve become especially interested in how societal norms around gender and emotional expression can quietly shape our inner world. In particular, I’ve spent time reflecting on how cultural ideals of masculinity—like the pressure to stay strong, stay quiet, or never ask for help—can keep people disconnected from their emotional lives. I’ve seen how these norms can leave people feeling isolated or unseen, especially when their experiences don’t fit neatly into cultural expectations. In my own life, I’ve had to unlearn patterns of emotional silence and re-learn what it means to show up with openness and care. That ongoing process continues to inform how I hold space as a therapist—with steadiness, respect, and a deep belief in each person’s capacity to heal in their own time.
Professionally, I’ve trained in both China and the U.S., with clinical experiences at Peking
University Sixth Hospital and Beijing Mingxin Psychological Counseling Center. My academic path began at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where I studied Psychological and Brain Sciences. There, I developed a strong foundation in the science of human behavior, while also exploring topics like emotion, identity, and interpersonal connection. I’m currently pursuing my Master’s in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness at New York University, where I continue to deepen my understanding of therapeutic practice through both coursework and hands-on training. I’ve worked with individuals facing anxiety, perfectionism, identity exploration, relationship challenges, and intergenerational stress. Across these experiences, I’ve learned that what people often need most is not advice, but presence—a kind of steady support that respects their pace, their voice, and their story.
Therapeutic Approaches
My therapeutic approach is grounded in a person-centered and relational framework, guided by the belief that healing begins with being truly seen and understood. I integrate techniques from existential therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness to tailor each session to the client’s needs.
From person-centered work, I bring empathy and respect for each individual’s pace and story. Existential concepts help explore deeper questions of identity, meaning, and self-direction—especially during periods of transition. I turn to CBT when clients seek more structure or tools to challenge unhelpful thought patterns, and incorporate mindfulness to support grounding, emotional awareness, and nervous system regulation.
Rather than following a fixed method, I adapt my approach based on what feels most helpful for the client in the moment. Across all modalities, I see the therapeutic relationship as central to the work—building safety, trust, and the space for real change to unfold.
Specialties
My specialties include working with young adults, international students, and individuals navigating anxiety, identity exploration, cultural adjustment, relationship and family-of-origin issues. I also work with male clients to unpack cultural expectations around masculinity and gender roles, creating space to redefine strength, connection, and emotional expression on their own terms.
Credentials
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Supervisor: Huilin Lai, LCSW: R081942
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Degree: New York University - M.A. of Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness (in process)
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Degree: University of California, Santa Barbara – B.S. in Psychological and Brain Sciences, Minor in Applied Psychology
More About Me
Outside of the therapy room, I find beauty in everyday moments—through film, literature, sports, and photography. I’m drawn to stories that reflect the complexity of being human, whether it’s a quiet scene in a movie, a line in a book that lingers, or a candid moment captured on camera. Photography, in particular, helps me slow down and notice the world more closely—light, texture, emotion, the in-between. Sports have also grounded me, offering not just movement, but a sense of rhythm, connection, and resilience. These passions remind me that meaning often lives in small details, and they shape the way I show up in therapy—with attentiveness, curiosity, and care. What drew me to this work was the belief that we all deserve space to be seen, and what continues to fulfill me is witnessing the quiet strength people bring when they begin to share their truth—and rediscover their own beauty in the process.