who am i professionally?

I'm a licensed clinical social worker, a certified field instructor, and a supervising psychotherapist located in New York City. I work one-on-one with those who want help working through emotional pain and those who want to take a deeper look into their inner world for self-understanding and growth.

Since graduating from Columbia Social Work School in 2014, I have treated patients facing various mental health challenges. Currently, I accept patients in New York State through online and in-person therapy. My areas of expertise include:

• Depression 
• Anxiety
• Developmental traumas
• Trans-cultural & racial-related issues
• Dating and relationships
• Emerging adulthood
• Self-esteem, self-reflection & growth

What's it like to work with me?

Though each person experiences me differently based on their unique personality, you'll likely find me empathic, intuitive, and transparent with my thoughts. When we work together, you're entering an open, curious space. We'll start with whichever thoughts, feelings, memories, imaginations, dreams, sensations, and behaviors you want to discuss. While listening to you, I use my theoretical framework and moment-to-moment experiences to guide our process. I compare the work to being on a journey of exploring your psychological landscape together. You'll let us wander your inner world to the degree you feel comfortable. I'll do my best to help you understand what we encounter and experience. It's a collaborative, creative process.

If you want to know my theoretical framework, I use an insight-oriented approach informed by Jungian analysis/depth psychology, psychodynamic therapy, and somatic experiencing. Rather than viewing mental health symptoms as the problem, I regard them as a path into your wondrous internal world. The more you explore and become familiar with your psyche and personality, the better you can navigate your inner and outer worlds. Even though life will not become easier, the understanding you gain in our work allows you to make choices that work best for you.

To be at your service the best I can, I'm continuously furthering my understanding of our psychology. These efforts include studying one-on-one with highly experienced psychoanalysts, training in Somatic Experiencing, and receiving my analysis. My Zen practice strengthens my capacity to hold an observing and sensitive mental space for our work, an essential element for reflective processes. I'm bilingual in English (second language, IELTS level 8 "very good user") and Mandarin (native speaker).

photo by Todd Weinstein

Bingwan Liu, lcsw