Ziqi Ding

She/ Her

Tier I Therapist

"Life itself remains a very effective therapist." — Karen Horney.

Hi, this is Ziqi, and it's nice to meet you from here, where we can co-create a safe and nurturing place and start a therapeutic journey. If you are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or lost, I can help with navigating anxiety, difficult emotions, life transitions, and identity-related challenges. Therapy can mean different things to everyone, and I respect and acknowledge whatever you bring to me in the therapy space as signs of strength at a starting point.

My approach is warm, grounded, culturally responsive, and evidence-based. I will be with you in a safe and trustworthy therapeutic relationship that serves as a foundation for healing. This will lead to a place where you can thrive in an enriched life, no matter how challenging or turbulent life may look right now.

Using evidence-based tools and a humanistic, person-centered approach, I’m an integrative, culturally sensitive, and empowerment-focused therapist who works best with clients seeking emotional clarity, relational connection, and a stronger sense of self. My style is warm, grounded, and insight-oriented. I listen deeply, reflect back patterns, and gently challenge where needed while respecting your pace. I offer English and Mandarin services on weekdays and weekends. In-person and virtual options are both available. Let's figure out together how therapy can best fit into your life as a healing piece.

I’m a warm, bilingual therapist offering culturally responsive, insight-driven care to help you reconnecting with your strengths and move toward a more authentic, fulfilling life.

My Story

Looking back on my story, I will say it has been a turmoil, no lie. I understand and respect the fact that life, as it is for everyone, can be complicated and challenging as it naturally is. However, as I started my academic and professional career in psychology, I now believe that life itself remains a very effective therapist.

My path into mental health counseling started with deep personal questions — around identity, emotional pain, and intergenerational stress. As someone raised in a high-expectation environment and later shaped by my experiences as an international student, I understand the inner conflict of trying to be "good" while not always feeling “acknowledged.” These experiences help me sit with clients from a place of deep empathy, curiosity, and care. I understand the impact of cultural nuance, and I offer space for your whole self to be heard and held—more importantly, an opportunity to discover a stronger version of self with more freedom in life.

I graduated from the University of Massachusetts as an honors student majoring in psychology. I was intensively trained with empirical research experiences and built an evidence-based approach with rigorous attitudes in psychotherapy. I am now under training at New York University as a developing mental health counselor. My experience includes working in inpatient hospital settings and interdisciplinary teams, where I saw firsthand how powerful the mind-body connection and therapeutic relationship can be. I was also trained in different modalities, including psychodynamic treatment, person-centered treatment, object-relation theory, mindfulness, and CBT in a rigorous clinical setting, allowing me to personalize treatment based on your needs. We can explore different options together in this therapeutic journey.

As an international student, I've experienced firsthand how culture, language, and identity impact our emotional world. This cross-cultural experience offers me a unique perspective on understanding your experiences with empathy and reflective responses. Whether we’re exploring generational expectations, perfectionism, trauma, or identity, I will meet you with respect, openness, and presence.

Lastly, therapy can be powerful for us, as it has proven to me in reality and through the years of my life, once and once again.

Therapeutic Approaches

My greatest asset as a therapist is being a warm and empathetic listener who can help you recognize your inner strengths. In our work, I draw from psychodynamic, CBT, and humanistic frameworks — but what that means is we’ll explore your emotions and experiences deeply while also building practical tools to manage life’s challenges. If something from the past still echoes in the present, we’ll gently unpack it. If your inner critic feels loud, we’ll work on developing a more self-compassionate voice. Let’s work together to discover a true version of self that allows more freedom of choice and a desirable lifestyle.

In my practice, I also use metaphors, images, and other creative approaches (e.g., the arts) to help explain complex issues and better explore possibilities. We will try to utilize what you already have as your inner strengths and develop what you want for yourself and life. You are invited to be the collaborative party in this journey, where we conquer the challenges together and head toward a better life experience.

Specialties

I’m a bilingual, integrative therapist offering culturally responsive care to individuals navigating identity, emotional overwhelm, and life transitions. My specialties include working with adults, international students, and teenagers who are experiencing confusion, emotional disturbances, loss of joy, anxiety, depression, and identity issues. My approach is warm, relational, and insight-driven — creating space for healing, clarity, and growth.

I welcome you no matter where you come from, culturally, emotionally, or with any life experiences. Let me know more about it and more about you.

Credentials

Supervisor: Huilin Lai, LCSW: R081942
Degree: New York University - M.A. in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness (in process)
Degree: University of Massachusetts Amherst - B.S. in Psychology, Honors Degree

More about me

I enjoy a simple lifestyle while acknowledging the acceptance and challenges that life has brought me. Outside of therapy, I value simplicity and small joys. You’ll often find me walking around the city with a cup of coffee, playing with dogs, golfing, climbing, and listening to music. These little joys keep me grounded and remind me that healing can happen in both the big moments and the quiet ones.

Book a Session with Ziqi