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.

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.

Cheng Qi, PhD Candidate

Location: Downtown, Pudong, available for online sessions
Language: Mandarin, English

Qi Cheng is a licensed psychologist/counselor, doctoral candidate in Psychology. She has a Master of Psychology degree from University of Pittsburgh and has worked in hospital and school setting for many years.

Qi Cheng got her systematical training in Family Therapy, Eriksonian-hypnosis, medical stress assessment and intervention, Solution Focused Therapy, and from 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 private practice, she worked in Beijing United Family Hospital and Shanghai International Hospital for 7 years. Cheng works with families to provide practical coaching sessions that equip parents with the tools and skills to help negotiate and manage behavior and emotional disturbances. Because of her clinical contributions, she won the International Mary Barkey Clinical Excellence Award in 2017, as the youngest during the past 100 years. She has also be invited as the guest speaker in 2019 Tedx Talk.

She specializes in

Family issues: parenting issues / marriage issues / family dynamic / communication problems / child-adolescent emotional problems / child-adolescent behavior problems; infant & young children behavior & emotional problems

Medical issues: medical procedure related psychosocial support / end of life psychosocial support / medical trauma / grief

Crisis issues: Crisis prevention / intervention;

Individual issues: depression /anxiety /phobia /sleeping problems /culture adaption / Career/ Study

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

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.

Eunice Lazar

Location: Available for online sessions
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

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).

Javiera Rebora

Location: Available for online sessions
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.

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.

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.

Dr. Laura Ruesjas-Lukasik, PsyD, C.C.C.

Location: Minhang, available for online sessions
Language: English, Spanish, French

Dr. Laura Ruesjas-Lukasik is a Canadian Certified Counselor and earned a Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD – Clinical) degree from the California Southern University, USA. She also obtained a Certificate in Psychology from Derby University, UK, holds a Master of Science degree from UC Berkeley, USA, and a M. Arch from McGill University, Canada. She helps children, adolescents, adults and families to move through conflicts, navigate difficult situation, and develop healthy coping skills. Her work includes the diagnosis, identification, and treatment of various psychological conditions, psychological assessment, and behavioural observations.

Laura has experience working with children and adolescents supporting children with ADHD diagnosis, depression, anxiety, learning disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and eating disorders. She has worked the past year supporting groups of children building social skills through active participative workshops. With adults she has supported clients presenting similar issues in addition to PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, relationship issues, and cultural adjustment.

Laura works with clients focusing on identifying problems and addressing underlying issues enabling long-term positive change. Her experience living in several countries, as wells as her ability to speak fluently English, Spanish and French, allows her to connect well with clients from different nationalities.

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.

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.

Lucia Hu, LMFT

Location: Pudong
Language: English, Mandarin

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Lucia Hu is a Canadian Certified Counselor (CCC), a professional member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), and a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist working towards licensure in California (USA). She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications from the University of California at Berkeley and her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University (California, USA). Since 2012, Lucia has supported clients with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, cultural adjustment, East/West family communication, dwarfism, and spirituality struggles. She has also supported couples with communication and marital infidelity through pre-marital and marriage counseling as a facilitator for the Prepare and Enrich marriage assessment. While utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approaches, Lucia is concurrently developing proficiency in Emotion-Focused Therapy for individuals and Narrative Therapy. She has conducted focus groups and parent support groups and has traveled to provide onsite support to employees following stressful and traumatic experiences. Languages: English, Mandarin Locations: Pudong, Downtown, HongQiao, Minhang

Dr. Melonie Grannell, D.Clin.Psych.

Location: Minhang, available for online sessions
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.

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.

Thamar Álava

Location: Pudong, available for online sessions
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.

Theresa Decker, MA

Location: Downtown, available for online sessions
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 (not available for new clients until January 2021)
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.

Jon Sedarati, MSc

Location: Downtown, Pudong
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

Karlene Rowland, MSc

Location: Downtown, Pudong, Minhang, available for online sessions
Language: English

Karlene is from New Zealand where she studied Psychology at undergraduate level before coming to China 20 years ago. She has an MSc in Mental Health Psychology from the University of Liverpool (a British Psychological Society accredited course) where she achieved distinction level grades in all modules including Psychological Appraisal and Treatment, Psychotherapeutic Intervention Strategies as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Mental Health Treatment. Karlene’s dissertation studies focused on post-natal depression and anxiety in particular during the first 1-6 months following birth.

Karlene’s approach to supporting clients focuses upon evidence-based practice and psychotherapies working hard to assess the bio-psycho-social needs of her clients, she uses an integrative approach blending modalities and therapies from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Psychodynamic Approaches to treat a variety of mental health problems and disorders. Karlene has received training in treating addictive behaviors, depressive disorders like post-natal depression/post-natal anxiety, anxiety disorders such as Generalised Anxiety Disorder but also social phobia, panic attacks and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder as well as eating disorder psychopathology, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and CPTSD.

Karlene works to demystify approaches to therapy by diffusing myths about mental health to normalize the experience of her clients, placing their psychoeducation and the therapeutic relationship and alliance at the forefront of creating a safe and supportive zone for clients to learn and acquire useful skills and tools, which they can then utilise beyond the counseling context to help deal with distress and live better lives. Her goal in a client session is to begin to set in motion and facilitate a growing awareness of the client’s own psychotherapeutic process, that leads the client toward relieving their distress, and working for ongoing change that continues well beyond each therapy session, with a focus on wellbeing to help prevent further distress and build resilience for her clients.

Karlene has extensive experience in delivering workshops and corporate training sessions on an array of topics related to workplace mental health, suicide prevention and intervention as well as years of training volunteers to work on a helpline for crisis and mental health support.

Marina Kalashnikova

Location: Downtown, Pudong
Language: Russian, English, Spanish

Marina Kalashnikova is a psychologist from Russia. She has a Master’s and Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, both with Honors, and has been a member of the Russian Association for Cognitive Behavior Therapy since 2017.

As wife and mother in a cross-cultural family who has lived in Europe, South America, and Asia, Marina incorporates academic training with multicultural concepts into each case, leading to greater understanding of clients’ backgrounds.

Marina has both interest and expertise in a broad range of issues, including adaptation and assimilation into diverse/foreign communities, isolation and loneliness, goal-achievement mindset, and midlife and postpartum crisis. In her practice, Marina utilizes several therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Her clients come from a wide range of environments and upbringings, and range from children to teenagers to adults.

Marina’s articles related to values of spouses from different cultures and strategies for their adaptation in multicultural families have been presented in scientific conferences in Russia and published in specialized psychology magazines.

Meet Carrie Jones – CCS Counseling Director