Counselors – Community Center Shanghai

Carrie Jones, LCSW

Location: Pudong
Language: English

Carrie Jones is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from Texas (USA). She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Baylor University. In Texas, she worked in a number of settings including a family counseling center, a substance abuse center, and several schools. Since 2010, she has served as the Director of Counseling at Community Center Shanghai. Carrie specializes in working with children and adolescents, but also works with adults on a broad range of issues including cultural adjustment/transition, self-esteem and identity, grief and loss, substance abuse, self-injury, anxiety, stress, depression, and mental illness. Carrie has a firm background in working with clients, both adolescents and adults, with eating disorders and is a strong believer in Family Based Therapy for this issue. Carrie also has training and experience in marriage counseling and is committed to helping couples and families improve their relationships. For more information about Carrie, her counseling style, and to read some of her articles, visit www.shanghaicounselor.net.

Thamar Álava

Location: Pudong
Language: English, Spanish, French

Thamar Álava is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist from Spain. She completed the Intern-Resident Psychologist program and postgraduate training of the Spanish National Health System at the Hospital Principe de Asturias, Madrid. Prior to this, she obtained her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Universidad Pontificia Comillas of Madrid.
Thamar understands psychotherapy as a space for self-learning and for developing a deeper comprehension of oneself as well as our relationships with others and with the world. It is this self-awareness allows for personal growth and healing. Thamar’s therapeutic approach is eclectic, drawing on her knowledge and training in Humanistic and Systemic Psychotherapy. She also uses EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy) when indicated. She thinks each approach has to be tailored to the individual and uses the methodologies that best suit the client’s need.
Thamar works with adults and covers a wide variety of issues including cultural adjustments/ transitions, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss and relationship issues among others.

Dominique Lavin

Location: Pudong, Downtown
Language: English, Spanish

Dominique is a psychologist from Chile with a Master’s Degree in Clinical and Occupational Psychology from Gabriela Mistral University. She has also a certificate in Applied Positive Psychology from the Flourishing Center of Philadelphia. Her experience of having lived in two different countries gives her tremendous understanding of problems that can occur when facing new situations and cultural transitions, as well as depression, anxiety and relationship challenges. Dominique works with both children and adults, assisting them in using their own resources and focusing on and taking advance of their own capabilities. She utilizes tools such as psychological tests and games. Dominique has also completed a seminar workshop in Short Therapy Program from MIP Psychotherapy Center in Santiago, Chile. Her clinical orientation is psychodynamic, but she believes that everyone benefits from a unique approach depending on their needs and circumstances.

Cheng Qi, MS

Location: Downtown, Pudong
Language: Mandarin, English

Qi Cheng is a licensed psychologist/counselor. She is also the first certified Child Life Specialist in Mainland China and has built up the first Child Life program in the Chinese medical system. She has a Master’s of Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and has worked in hospital settings for many years.

Qi Cheng received her systematical training in Child Life assessment and intervention, Solution Focused Therapy, and Family Therapy from the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (U.S), KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (Singapore), and Osaka Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Japan. Prior to going into private practice, she worked in Beijing United Family Hospital and Shanghai International Hospital for 7 years. Due to her clinical contributions, she won the International Mary Barkey Clinical Excellence Award in 2017, as the youngest recipient in the past hundred years. She has also been invited to be a guest speaker for 2019 Tedx Talk.

Qi Cheng specializes in（1）depression, phobia, trauma, crisis intervention; (2）marriage issues, family dynamic, communication problems；（3）parenting skills，child/adolescent emotional problems, child/adolescent behavior problems;（4） medical related psychosocial support, and end of life psychosocial support.

In addition to clinical work, Qi Cheng is a clinical supervisor and guest lecturer for many famous public hospitals and medical schools, the founder of the public WeChat account “The Words of Cheng Qi”, and a contributing commentator of Youku. She has papers published in domestic and international core journals, including SSCI journals.

Scott Shen, MSW, LSW

Location: Pudong, Downtown, Minhang
Language: Mandarin, English, Shanghainese

Scott Shen is a Licensed Social Worker from the State of Ohio, USA. He has a Master of Social Work degree from the Ohio State University.

Through his work with children, adolescents and their families at several counseling agencies, Scott has extensive experience in individual and family therapy, dealing with a broad range of issues including cross-cultural issues, attention deficit, defiance, depression, anger management, grief and loss, stress, self-esteem and relationship issues. From his work with clients, Scott understands that various issuesand difficulties are not all that clients bring to him, and that each individual or family has their own set of unique strengths and resources as well. This knowledge always helps Scott to aid clients in addressing their chronic issues and to find solutions together.

Scott grew up in Shanghai and spent several years in Ohio for graduate school and work. He appreciates the difference between cultures and understands that living in a cross-cultural environment impacts every aspect of individual’s life and family dynamics. Therefore, Scott focuses on the use of Mindfulness techniques and other client-centered psychotherapy models to assist his clients in unloading the tremendous stress they encounter daily.

Maria Castaneda

Location: Pudong
Language: English, Spanish

Maria Castaneda is originally from Bogotá, Colombia and has lived in Shanghai with for nearly a decade and her 2 children were born in Shanghai.

She has an undergraduate degree in Psychology (Universidad de Los Andes in Bogota, Colombia), a Master’s Degree in Primary Education (University of Alabama, United States) and a diploma in Marriage and Couples Counseling from Escuela Vasco Navarra de Terapia Familiar and Hospital de St. Creu (Bilbao and Barcelona, Spain).

Over the past fifteen years, she has worked in four international schools as a Special Needs Education teacher assisting families and children finding their strengths. For the past three years, she has worked as a family and couples counselor. She uses a Family Therapy approach which focuses on how relationships can help us handle life situations better.

Maria is passionate about family welfare and relationships. She loves to guide women, children and couples to find peace, balance, and to live a more fulfilling life.

Melonie Grannell, D.Clin.Psych.

Location: Minhang
Language: English

Dr Melonie Grannell is a Clinical Psychologist from Liverpool, UK. She obtained her doctoral degree from The University of Liverpool in 2009. She has vast experience with individuals across the lifespan, presenting with a variety of challenges and disabilities, learning, physical and emotional. Dr Grannell takes a person centered approach to therapy, tailoring the therapeutic approach to the needs of the individual. Her therapeutic approach is eclectic, drawing from her knowledge and experience of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy) and Mindfulness. Dr Grannell works alongside adolescents and adults, reflecting upon a persons experiences, how they understand these experiences and the emotions that occur at such times. She believes that a shared understanding, feeling heard and understood, leads towards a path of hope, acceptance, adjustment and facilitates change. Having worked with individuals with complex mental health problems, interpersonal difficulties and significant trauma, Dr Grannell is accustomed to working with a wide variety of mental and behavioural issues, including trauma (PTSD), anxiety disorders, depression, mood disorders (including Bi-Polar), interpersonal and relational problems (including Personality Disorders), bereavement and loss, attachment issues, learning and physical health problems. She particularly enjoys working alongside individuals and families were a family member has a learning disability/difficulty and/or behavioural issues, including those presenting with traits of autism and those diagnosed with Autism and Asperger Syndrome. As a wife and mother of two children, Dr Grannell is an enthusiastic and passionate Clinical Psychologist.

Eunice Lazar

Location: Downtown
Language: English, Romanian

Eunice Adriana Lazar has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and post-graduate training from Systemic Family Therapy in Romania where she worked as a psychologist in a health care clinical practice for over 2 years with diverse cases and with clients of variety of ages (clinical assessment, career counselling, individual therapy for adults, adolescents, and children). Prior to this, she obtained a Master’s Degree in Work and Organizational Psychology from West University in Romania and pursued her career as an Organizational Psychologist where she brought a new perspective to organizational culture, hiring, and retention. During this time, she also worked on personal development assessments and trainings to help people be more aware of their mental health and wellbeing. She continues to do this as part-time Organizational Psychologist and Trainer for a software engineering company in Shanghai.

Eunice is also currently an active volunteer for Shanghai Sunrise, an organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty by raising funds for educational scholarships for underprivileged and at-risk youth.

Eunice’s hobbies and passions include personal development and wellbeing, painting, designing, reading, exploring the world and learning about different cultures and people, meditation, fitness, and snowboarding.

Clinical Assessment and Testing, Stress/Anxiety/Depression Therapy, Family/Couples Therapy, Early ages and Adolescent stages difficulties, ADHD, Self-Esteem, Personal development, Fitness and Wellbeing Counselling, Personal Evaluation/Assessment (Personality, EQ test, IQ test, Attention Mobility, Abilities tests, Career), Career Assessment and Counseling

Theresa Decker, MA

Location: Downtown
Language: English

Theresa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist from Chicago, IL, USA and holds a Master of Arts in Family Counseling from Northeastern Illinois University. She works with couples, families, and individual adults. Theresa views clients from family-systems and developmental perspectives. Her experience in couples’ counseling ranges from pre-marital counseling and adjustment issues to recovering from infidelity. In addition to helping families with adjustment, behavioral and school-based issues, she is knowledgeable in assisting families with grief and trauma, chronic medical/emotional issues, and adoption issues. Theresa also sees adults with depression, anxiety, adjustment concerns, and the desire
for personal growth.

Theresa’s approach varies based on the client situation and goals. She is influenced by emotionally-focused couples’ therapy, solution-focused/strategic therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Theresa is married and the mother of six grown children. She at one time worked as an electrical engineer and holds a B.S.E.E. from Northwestern University.

Vilia Lyell, D.litt et Phil

Location: Downtown
Language: English, Afrikaans

Dr Vilia Lyell qualified as a clinical social worker and then pursued further postgraduate studies in psychology, obtaining a Masters Degree and a Doctoral degree in Psychology. Vilia played a primary role as Director of Childline Johannesburg (Child abuse organisation) developing standards and protocols still used today. Since leaving the NGO sector in 1998, she has enjoyed a fulfilling career in private practice. Vilia worked extensively in the forensic field, appearing as an expert witness in matters pertaining to child abuse, domestic violence and child custody disputes Vilia’s therapeutic orientation is psychodynamic (object relations), which is an insight orientated approach aimed at helping clients understand their inner world and how this influences relationships both past and present.

Vilia offers psychotherapy to:
Adults who are struggling with adjustment difficulties, depression, anxiety, stress, grief, trauma and relationship difficulties (within the context of their work and in their intimate relationships).

Couples who want to work through their recurring conflict and destructive communication patterns, infidelity and those who wish to enhance the connection and emotional safety within their relationships.

Play therapy for children who are not yet verbal enough to articulate their thoughts and feelings, due to their age. This methodology is developmentally applicable for emotional difficulties, behavioural problems, grief, trauma, adjustment difficulties and parental divorce/separation/discord.

John K. Miller, Ph.D., LMFT

Location: Downtown, Minhang
Language: English

Dr. Miller works as a professor of therapy in the US and China and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the US. He has been working in China for the past 10 years. He has been in clinical practice for the past 25 years, specializing in couples and family therapy as well as individual therapy. His philosophy and approach to treatment considers the context in which problems occur and the relationships between the people involved. With this in mind, he will occasionally ask for family and significant others to participate in treatment (only with your consent). This therapy embraces a “wellness” approach to treatment, and encourages clients to explore existing strengths and resources. Dr. Miller earned his Ph.D. in Child and Family Development with a specialization in Family Therapy from Virginia Tech. He also holds a MA in Family Therapy from the University of Louisiana, as well as a BA in Psychology.

This education included coursework on couples therapy, family and child relationships, human sexuality, psychopathology, adult and child development, hypnosis, group psychotherapy, systems theory, and substance abuse counseling. He is a former US Fulbright Senior Research Scholar to China (2009-2010), former Research Associate of the Mental Research Institute (MRI), a former president of the Oregon Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (OAMFT) and a Clinical Member of the American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA), the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), and the International Family Therapy Association (IFTA). He has served on the Board of Directors of the AAMFT, as well as other leadership positions in the US.

Dr. Miller is also an Approved Supervisor (AAMFT), supervising other therapists’ clinical work leading to licensure. Dr. Miller is available to see clients and clinical supervisees at the Downtown Counseling Center in Puxi.

Viviana Ni, AThR, MAAT

Location: Pudong, Downtown, Minhang
Language: English, Mandarin

Viviana Ni is a Licensed Art Therapist with Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore Art Therapy Associations and holds a Master of Arts in Art Therapy from Goldsmiths University of London. Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that utilizes creative methods to facilitate individuals on their path of healing and improves physical, mental and emotional well-being. Clients can express themselves verbally as well as non-verbally via the modality of expressive art therapy which brings suppressed emotions to the surface so the art therapist can then focus on working with these issues. Viviana has over 7 years of experience working with a wide range of clients, including children, adults, families, and the elderly and has worked in various settings internationally and locally, including hospitals, a day care center for the elderly, mental health institutes, special needs care centers, governmental organizations, and a wellness center. Her approach in art therapy is based on psychodynamic, solution-focused, narrative, mindfulness, and developmental art therapy. Viviana specializes in the populations of children, families, couples, adults, and LGBTQ and with the issues of relationships, trauma and loss, parenting, self-esteem, transitions, cultural factors, emotional difficulties, special needs, and mental health

Linda Confalonieri, PhD

Location: Skype Only
Language: Italian, English

Linda Confalonieri, PhD is an Italian psychologist with a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Catholic University of Milan (Italy) and a Doctorate Degree (PhD) in General Psychology from University of Milan-Bicocca where she worked on cognitive and intercultural psychology research projects. For two years, she lived in the U.S. as a visiting Research Scholar at the Department of Psychology, Emory University of Atlanta, Georgia, working on National Institute of Health projects. Linda has several years of clinical training and working experience in Italy and the U.S. in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). For the past four years, she lived in Shanghai (P.R.C.) collaborating with Community Center Shanghai – Counseling Department. She has been also Visiting Researcher at Shanghai Mental Health Center – Department of Mood Disorders (SMHC).

Linda is an expert in treating adults with anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and eating disorders. She also works with people experiencing problems related to cultural adjustment, relational difficulties, procrastination, perfectionism, impulsive and obsessive-compulsive behaviors, stress management, and low self-esteem. While flexibly adjusting protocols to each individual’s life experience, Linda strongly believes in scientific evidence-based treatments within the branch of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Her milestones for effective interventions are validating the individual’s emotions and thoughts, working together towards shared goals, considering the psychologist as expert in his/her field and the client as the expert of him/herself.

Linda now lives in Europe and is available for online sessions via WeChat videocalls or Skype.

Azin Nasseri, PhD

Location: Downtown
Language: English

Dr. Azin Nasseri has a Ph.D. in Psychology from Chicago School of Professional Psychology, USA. He specializes in marriage and family counseling and has over 20 years of experience working with couples.

Dr. Nasseri takes a holistic approach; considering the biological, psychological, social, and moral dimensions of human reality. He integrates evidence-based scientific knowledge with spiritual insights drawn from the various wisdom/enlightenment traditions. He is also a certified Myer-Briggs Type Indicator consultant.

Dr. Nasseri is the author of several books including The Unity-Based Family: An Empirical Study of Healthy Marriage, Family, and Parenting published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing (2017), Moral Trauma: An Analysis of Akrasia and Mental Health, published by Lambert Academic Publishing (2013), and Journey Through The Seven Valleys (2018) available through Amazon.

Dr. Nasseri is not currently accepting new clients.

Haibo Ma

Location: Pudong, Downtown, Minhang
Language: Mandarin, English, Sichuanese

Haibo Ma is a Chinese counseling practitioner who is now also a Canadian Certified Counselor- Qualifying and a professional member of the Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association. He grew up in Sichuan Province and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Psychology in Shaanxi province. He then spent two years learning counseling skills and approaches through Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology (CSPP) at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities in the U.S. and returned to Shanghai with his Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling.

Haibo is familiar with the experiences of both culture shock and reverse culture shock. His primary counseling approach is DBT(Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), integrated with person-centered and psychodynamic approaches. Haibo specializes in working with adults who suffer from mood disorders including depression and anxiety and also those with borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Jon Sedarati, MSc

Location: Downtown, Pudong, Minhang
Language: English

Let me be frank: I do not have a magic pill for you. I do not have a one-size fits all solution to my clients’ problems. I may not be able to help you, at all. But. . . if you are motivated to change, try new things, think new thoughts, and build a trusting relationship with me, I believe you are almost certain to benefit from counseling.

Originally from England, Jon earned a master’s degree in psychology before beginning his psychotherapy training at the Sino-American Family Therapy Institute (SAFTI). Presently, he is a clinical intern at Community Center Shanghai (CCS) and Yew Wah International Education School (YWIES). Jon’s areas of interest include relationship issues (e.g. marital, familial), sex, anxiety, addiction, and depression.

Jon hopes that clients come to view him, not as a healer or problem-solver, but as a guide whose primary function is to listen. That said, he believes meaningful changes require action, and do not simply result from talking about one’s problems.

Learn more at talkwithjon.com

Jing Chen

Location: Pudong, Downtown, Minhang
Language: Mandarin, English

Jing Chen is a Canadian Certified Counselor. After high school, she went to the U.S. for her Bachelor’s Degree. She attended the University of Oregon (Eugene, OR, U.S.) and graduated from business school. She has a minor in Nonprofit Organization Management, focused on Education and Animal Protection. Jing returned to China in 2014 and did volunteer teaching in Yunnan for two years and she has worked in the education field for about 6 years. In 2019, she completed her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Palo Alto University.

Jing works with individual clients, families, and children. In addition, as a “third culture kid,” Jing has a solid understanding of people from diverse backgrounds. She has experience working with young adults (age from 23-35) and children (age from 5-18). Jing utilizes Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing in an integrated approach in working with clients.

Laura Ruesjas-Lukasik, PhD

Location: Minhang
Language: English, Spanish, French

Dr. Laura Ruesjas-Lukasik earned a Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD – Clinical) from the California Southern University, USA, and a Certificate in Psychology from Derby University, UK. She also has a Master’s of Science from UC Berkeley, USA, and a M. Arch from McGill University, Canada. She helps children, adolescents, adults and families move through conflicts and navigate difficult situations. Her work includes the diagnosis, identification, and treatment various psychological conditions, psychological assessments, and behavioural observations.

Laura works with clients by finding solutions to problems and addressing underlying issues enabling long-term positive change, keeping in mind the important impact that expatriate life brings to everyone. She offers individual and family sessions therapy, as well as group therapy with children and teenagers to learn and improve social skills.

Laura’s approach to working with clients is strength-based, integrating a number of modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Family systems, Trauma focused therapy, Psychodynamic, Narrative therapy, and Emotional attachment theory.

Focus: Child and Adolescent, Adult, Family Conflict

Issues: Anxiety (General anxiety, Social anxiety, Panic disorder), Depression,ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Emotional regulation, PTSD and Trauma, Cultural adjustment, Eating disorders, Bipolar disorder, Relationship Issues, Social skills disabilities, Childhood emotional neglect, Parenting.

Chen Qin

Location: Jinqiao
Language: English, Chinese

Chen Qin gradually progressed toward becoming a counselor as a result of her personal experiences overcoming culture shock while studying abroad in the United States in 2011. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine with a minor in Linguistics. Now she is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling at Palo Alto University. Chen is fascinated by the power of the mind to construe reality, by how minor behavioral changes can lead to vastly different paths, and by how relationships influence a person’s well being. Chen works with individuals, couples, and families. She provides support and help to clients of all ages with a variety of difficulties. Although her primary approach is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which encourages the clients to change the patterns of dysfunctional thinking or behavior and to develop personal coping strategies, she also utilizes a combination of various psychotherapeutic treatments w tailored to meet each client’s needs.

Javiera Rebora

Location: Virtual Sessions Only
Language: Spanish

Javiera is a psychologist from Chile with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology. She has worked in a private clinical practice in Chile, at the National Family Center, and also as a kindergarten counselor and psychologist.

Specializing in depression, anxiety, self-esteem & identity, grief & loss, and stress, Javiera works with both adults and adolescents. Javiera also does child therapy, including psychodiagnostic work, play therapy, verbal therapy, parental counselling, helping children with school refusal, and managing emotions, conflicts, and struggles. She also helps clients of all ages facing cultural adjustments and transitional difficulties.

Javiera’s primary way of thinking about her clients is from a psychodynamic approach (psychoanalytically oriented), which focuses on the unconscious processes that influence one’s way of thinking and behaving. For each case, she adapts and implements various psychological techniques that best suit her client’s needs.

Javiera repatriated to Chile in 2020 but is still available to work with Spanish speaking clients via phone or video.

Meet Carrie Jones – CCS Counseling Director