Yiling Zhang

Do you find yourself stuck or pained in relationships - with yourself, others, the world, or your past? The struggle may show up as loneliness, emptiness, maladaptive interpersonal patterns, or as symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, disordered eating etc. I strive to create trust in a nonjudgmental and authentic atmosphere, from where we work together to understand and help resolve your struggles.

My style in session is warm, collaborative, and actively engaged. I'm not a passive listener who nods along silently—I'm present with you, noticing what's happening in the room, gently drawing attention to patterns, emotions, and moments that matter, including the ones you might be inclined to gloss over. Sometimes our work is more experiential—slowing down to sit with what's emerging rather than rushing past it. Other times it's more practical and action-oriented—working on concrete strategies, trying new behaviors, or building skills you can use between sessions. I blend insight-oriented, cognitive-behavioral, and emotion-focused approaches in individualized ways that fit who you are and what you're working through.

I bring extensive experience across college counseling centers and mental health clinics, having most recently served as a staff psychologist at Harvard University Health Services, and previously at Case Western Reserve University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Northwestern University (where I completed my postdoctoral fellowship). I am now in full-time private practice. I'm also the Chinese translator of Irvin Yalom's Existential Psychotherapy and The Gift of Therapy, and serve on the Expert Committee at Jiandanxinli (简单心理), the largest therapist platform in China.