Yihan Yuan, MHC-LP
Associate Psychotherapist | She/Her/Hers
The ways you cope, protect yourself, or meet expectations often begin for good reasons. They may have helped you move through difficult experiences, maintain important relationships, or become the person others needed you to be. Over time, however, those same patterns can begin to feel limiting, confusing, or no longer aligned with the person you are becoming.
Hi, I’m Yihan. I support people who feel caught between the roles they have learned to fulfill and the life they want to create. Therapy can be a place to understand old patterns, reconnect with your own needs, and make space for a way of living that feels more true to you.
*Yihan is currently accepting new clients and clinically supervised by Heyu Wang, LMHC.
How I Understand the Work
I believe our present struggles often make more sense when we understand the experiences and relationships that shaped them. Emotions, recurring patterns, and inner conflicts can hold important information about what we have learned to expect from ourselves, from others, and from the world around us.
My approach is rooted in psychodynamic therapy and also draws from person-centered, motivational interviewing, and strengths-based perspectives. Together, we may explore how past experiences continue to influence your relationships, choices, and sense of self, while also considering the role of culture, family, and social expectations in shaping what you value and how you believe you should live.
What Therapy With Me Feels Like
My style is thoughtful, collaborative, and grounded in humility and respect. I hope therapy feels like a space where you are met as a whole person, not reduced to a problem that needs to be fixed.
I will follow your pace, listen closely, and remain curious about how you understand your own experiences. Together, we can make room for complexity, uncertainty, and different parts of your story without rushing toward a particular answer. I also hope you feel able to bring in the parts of yourself that may be difficult to explain, contradictory, or still taking shape. My hope is that our work helps you feel more understood, more connected to your own needs, and more confident in making choices that feel right for you.
Areas I Often Support
Anxiety & Depression | Life Transitions | Burnout
Trauma Recovery | Cultural Identity | Identity & Belonging
Emotional Awareness | Relationship Challenges
Languages
I also provide therapy in Mandarin for clients who prefer it.
A little about me
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I was drawn to therapy by my interest in deep conversations and my curiosity about characters’ inner worlds in literature. I have always been fascinated by how people make sense of their lives and develop their own philosophies for living. I enjoy getting to know each person as a complex, whole human being, including the subtle, authentic emotions that may be hard to put into words. Therapy creates space for meaningful exploration, and this work deepens my understanding of people, relationships, and myself.
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My favorite part of being a therapist is the genuine connection and trust that can develop between my clients and me. I value the moments when someone feels safe enough to express what they have been holding inside, reconnect with their voice, or understand themselves in a new way. I also love helping clients recognize the strengths and effort they may not yet see in themselves. I am always touched by the courage and openness they bring to exploring the vulnerable parts of their experiences.
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My knitting project! I’m currently working on a shawl after finishing my first scarf. My eventual goal is to make a sweater, though I may need a little more practice first. I also love other hands-on creative activities, like puzzles and experimenting with my own recipes.
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I feel most like myself when I am fully present and paying attention to the small details of everyday life. It might be a sunset, an interesting cloud, or a tranquil moment. I appreciate things that feel specific, ordinary, and authentic.
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M.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling, Teachers College, Columbia University
B.A. in Social Science, New York University Shanghai
“There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.”