Yufei Liu, MHC-LP

How Did I Become A Psychotherapist In NYC Helping Others Heal?

My path to becoming a psychotherapist grew from a deep interest in the ways people survive, adapt, and make meaning of difficult life experiences. Through both personal and professional experiences, I became increasingly aware of how trauma, relationships, identity, and cultural context shape our emotional lives. I earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from New York University and trained in New York City, where I gained experience working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Today, I help people navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, identity exploration, relationship challenges, and life transitions while creating a space where they can feel genuinely seen, understood, and supported.

What Kind Of Services Do I Provide?

I provide individual psychotherapy for adults and young adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, grief, ADHD-related concerns, relationship difficulties, identity exploration, and life transitions. I also work with LGBTQ+ individuals and people navigating multicultural, immigrant, and cross-cultural experiences. My services are offered through virtual therapy, allowing clients to access support in a convenient way.  

How Would I Describe My Counseling Philosophy?

I believe healing happens when people feel safe enough to explore their inner world with curiosity rather than judgment. Therapy is not about fixing what is “wrong” with you; it is about understanding the stories, relationships, emotions, and survival strategies that have shaped who you are. My work is grounded in the belief that every symptom carries meaning, every part of us developed for a reason, and lasting change occurs through self-understanding, compassion, and connection. I strive to create a therapeutic relationship that feels warm, collaborative, and deeply human.

What Kind Of Tools Do I Use In Therapy?

I draw from a range of evidence-based and insight-oriented approaches to ensure therapy is tailored to each person’s unique needs, goals, and life experiences.

Psychodynamic Therapy helps clients explore unconscious patterns, early relationships, and recurring emotional themes that continue to influence their present-day experiences. By developing deeper self-understanding, clients can create more freedom and choice in how they live and relate to others.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps clients identify and understand different “parts” of themselves, including protective parts, wounded parts, and the core Self. Rather than fighting against difficult emotions or behaviors, clients learn to approach them with curiosity, compassion, and understanding.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they become less emotionally overwhelming. EMDR can be particularly effective for trauma, anxiety, and experiences that continue to feel “stuck.”

Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationships shape our sense of self, emotional regulation, and patterns in relationships. This approach can help clients build more secure connections with themselves and others.

Mindfulness and Somatic Practices incorporate grounding exercises, breathwork, body awareness, and nervous system regulation techniques. These approaches help clients develop greater emotional resilience and reconnect with their present-moment experience.

Trauma-Informed Therapy recognizes the impact that traumatic experiences can have on the mind, body, and relationships. Treatment focuses on creating safety, building coping resources, and processing difficult experiences at a pace that feels manageable and empowering.

Culturally Responsive Therapy acknowledges the role that culture, identity, family background, immigration experiences, and systems of oppression can play in emotional well-being. Together, we explore how these experiences shape your story while honoring the strengths and resilience you bring into the therapy process.

What Makes Me And My Approach To Counseling Unique?

As a queer, non-binary, Mandarin-speaking therapist who has worked with people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, I understand how identity, belonging, marginalization, and resilience can shape emotional well-being. Clients often tell me they appreciate the balance I bring between warmth and challenge, compassion and insight. I believe therapy should be both supportive and transformative. Together, we explore not only what is happening in the present but also the deeper patterns that influence how you relate to yourself, others, and the world around you. My goal is to help you develop greater self-understanding, integration, and agency in your life.  

What Am I Like Outside Of My Office?

Outside of therapy, I am naturally curious about people, cultures, and the many ways humans make meaning of their lives. I enjoy subcultures like anime and K-pop, explore different perspectives, spend time in thoughtful conversations, and learn from experiences that challenge me to grow. My appreciation for diversity, creativity, and human connection continues to inform both who I am as a person and how I show up as a therapist. I believe that healing and growth are lifelong processes, and I try to approach my own life with the same curiosity, self-reflection, and compassion that I bring into the therapy room.