COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY TRAINED PSYCHOLOGIST

Therapy that sees all of you.

If you’ve landed here, chances are you’ve done everything right.

You've probably checked all the boxes, made your family proud, and built a life that looks successful on paper. You're the one people come to for help. The one who’s reliable. The one who doesn't make waves. 

But when you have a moment to pause, there is a quiet voice, asking what if I prioritize myself, pursue what I want, conserve some energy for myself…?

That tightrope act of trying to keep everyone around you happy —  while trying to figure out what you actually want? It's exhausting.

And if you're constantly measuring yourself against other people’s standards or trying to quiet that inner critic with more striving, I want you to know: You don’t have to carry the weight of – the pressure, the doubt, the uncertainty – alone.

CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE THERAPY

Hi, I’m Pei-Han.

In our work together, you'll find a space where your unique experiences and cultural background are not just understood– they’re deeply valued. I bring both clinical expertise and lived experience of navigating similar challenges to our work. Think of our sessions as a collaborative journey, where we explore what's holding you back with both compassion and a clear path forward. 

YOU CAN EXPECT ME TO:

  • Hold a non-judgmental, empathic space to listen to you deeply.

  • Offer insights that go beneath the surface practical tools and strategies.

  • Gently challenge patterns and beliefs that no longer serve you.

I  draw from evidence-based therapies like Emotionally Focused Therapy, Attachment-based Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, to support real, lasting change – not just insight, but action.

As a therapist, I believe that:

  • You can work hard and enjoy life.

  • You can be imperfect and worthy of love. 

  • You can make mistakes and maintain self-respect.

  • You can honor your culture and live life on your own terms.

CULTURALLY ORIENTED THERAPY IN NEW YORK

Why I Do This Work

Like many of my clients, I’ve straddled cultures my entire life– always trying to do right by everyone, never feeling like I belonged. As an Asian immigrant woman, I've personally felt like "the other," and that experience fuels my passion to help you center yourself and build a life that truly fits who you are.

Growing up,  I absorbed a familiar message passed down through generations: Work hard first, joy later. Another cultural message I’ve absorbed - when things went wrong, I should take it upon myself to figure it out quietly and quickly, often leading to internalizing the blame, fear of making mistakes, and being hard on myself.  And while that built resilience, it also fed perfectionism, anxiety, and a fear of letting others down. Sound familiar? 

For many of us with similar backgrounds, this isn't just personal–  it's ingrained: always striving to do more and better. It can feel like a constant internal pressure, a relentless cycle of anxiety and self-doubt. 

This blend of personal experience and professional training shapes how I show up for my clients– with deep empathy, cultural attunement, and a belief that real change is possible when we stop abandoning ourselves to please others.

  • Whether you're:

    • Navigating the complexities of relationships and seeking deeper connection,

    • Parenting with intention and trying to break generational patterns

    •  Struggling to find meaning beyond achievement

    • Or simply longing for more peace, authenticity, and ease in your life

    .… I'm here to help you question those ingrained "rules" about success, reconnect with yourself, and live with more intention and less self-doubt. 

    If you're ready to loosen the grip of “shoulds” and step into a life that feels aligned with who you really are – I’d be honored to walk that path with you.

    • Licensure:

      • Licensed Counseling Psychologist in New York and Oregon 

    • Education:

      • Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Columbia University 

      • M.A. in Mental Health Counseling Psychology, Boston College

      • B.A. in Psychology, Fu-Jen Catholic University, Taiwan 

    • Special Trainings: 

      • Internship and Postdoctoral Fellowship: of University of Pennsylvania (Counseling and Psychological Services)

      • Dialectical Behavior Therapy Intensive Training, Behavioral Tech 

      • Ongoing Emotionally Focused Therapy Training, International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy

  • You Might Find Me...

    • Kicking a soccer ball around with my energetic kid (and pretending I’m not out of breath).

    • Finding peace by a river or lake – nature is my reset button.

    • Savoring Taiwanese tea like it’s a spiritual experience. The Japanese tea ceremony concept of 一期一會 (ichigo ichie), meaning "one time, one meeting," beautifully reminds me to cherish each present moment with others – the essence of attunement and co-regulation in attachment-based therapy.

    • Connecting with friends on walks or at local events.

    • Reading quietly with my family, soaking in the magic of being here and now together.