Karlene Rowland, MSc

Registered at Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association

Education: MSc in Mental Health Psychology
Types of Therapy: Psychodynamic, EFT, IFS, ACT, DBT, CBT
Languages: English
Works with: Adult, Teenager, LGBTQ+
Locations: Downtown, Online

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.

Adrian Hosler, NCC

Education:
Types of Therapy:
Languages: English
Works with:
Locations: Online

Adrian is a Nationally Certified Counselor with the United States National Board for Certified Counselors. She became a licensed graduate counselor in Washington DC after finishing her master’s in clinical mental health counseling.

Having lived and worked abroad for ten years, Adrian has experience collaborating with clients in transient communities. She has an appreciation for the impact of culture and family on our perceptions of problems. Adrian supports clients to promote their values in their life and work towards a commitment to their identity and personal goals. Clients can expect a strengths-based approach working towards self-advocacy and self-acceptance. Adrian utilizes postmodern approaches including ACT, Narrative Therapy, Emotion-focused, and and Non-Violent Communication.

Adrian has experience working with individuals and groups in eating disorder recovery, as well as clients impacted by grief, adjustment, developmental issues, anxiety, body-image, and the impacts of social expectations like perfectionism and individualism on our mental health. She believes harnessing personal understanding, compassion, and creativity can free us from rigid solutions to complex problems. 

Anna Tian, PACFA

Australia Registered Counsellor

Education: Master of Counselling
Types of Therapy: ACT, CBT, Person-Centered
Languages: English, Mandrian
Works with: Teenager, Adult
Locations: Pudong, Online, Puxi

Anna has a Masters degree in Counselling with Monash University, Australia. Anna has almost fifteen years working experience as a registered nurse in the UK, Singapore, and China. Additionally, she has experience with international schools and students in China, currently working as a high school nurse for an international school in Shanghai. Anna has had broad experience supporting many teenagers and adults with a broad variety of physical and mental health issues during her time in hospitals and school. Her passion is providing a holistic approach for people who are not only physically in need, but also mentally and emotionally in need.

Anna 毕业于澳洲莫纳什大学咨询硕士专业。作为一名专业的注册护士Anna已拥有15年的临床工作经验，曾在英国和新家坡工作，现在是上海一所富有名望的国际学校的高中部护士兼护士长。她丰富的工作经验已帮助和提高了众多学生和病人的身心健康。她追求的理想是为有需要帮助的人提供全方位的身心咨询，让他们拥有更好的生活品质。

Anna可以讲很流利的英文和中文，她主要是在浦东看诊但是如果有需要她也可以到浦西和网上咨询。

Annie Li, MA

Education: Master of Applied Psychology
Types of Therapy: Personal-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotional Focused Therapy, Couples Therapy, Sex Therapy
Languages: English, Mandarin
Works with: Adult, Couple, Teenager, LGBTQ+
Locations: Pudong, Online

Annie has her Masters of Arts in Applied Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies and is currently working towards her certification of National Certified Counselor (NCC). Since 2015, she worked as a TCM practitioner and also as an elementary school nurse in an international division of a private school in Shanghai. Working with a wide range of people, Annie is committed to supporting clients going through challenges such as anxiety, depression, personal growth, and relationship issues. Her goal is to help people explore their true selves and assemble their emotions in a new way.

Annie provides counseling sessions to adults, teenagers and couples capitalizing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotional Focused Therapy, Couples Therapy, and Sex Therapy.

李灵菲Annie毕业于加州整合大学应用心理学专业并为取得国际咨询师的认证而努力中。自2015年开始，她在上海从事临床医师的工作并且曾在一所学校的国际部担任校医。灵菲拥有与不同年龄段人群工作的经验，她专注于帮助他的来访者应对服焦虑、抑郁、个人成长和人际关系问题等挑战。她的目标是帮助人们探索真实的自我，并以一种新的方式整合他们的情绪。

Annie为成人、青少年和伴侣提供咨询，她运用的咨询技术有认知行为疗法、情绪聚焦疗法、伴侣治疗和性治疗。

Annie可以讲很流利的英文和中文。她目前主要工作地点在浦东和网上，如果有需要她也可以到浦西接待咨询。

Bella Wu, M.S., NCC

卫健委 心理治疗师, California Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, Washington Associate Mental Health Counselor

Education: M.S Clinical Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling, B.S. Psychology
Types of Therapy: ACT, Person-Centered, CBT
Languages: English, Mandarin
Works with: Young Adult, Teenager, LGBTQ+
Locations: Online

Bella Wu is a National Certified Counselor and member of the American Counseling Association. She has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Rehab & Mental Health Counseling from the University of Pittsburgh in the US. Bella worked in Carnegie Mellon University’s counseling center with hundreds of students from all over the US and 10 foreign countries. She also worked in UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital’s inpatient unit and Peking University Shenzhen Hospital’s outpatient unit.

Bella invites you to embark on a continuous life journey toward self actualization. Along the way there will be challenges such as social conflicts, gaps between high expectations versus reality, finding your own identity, adjusting to unexpected changes, and building resilience. Bella hopes to provide clients a safe space to speak the things they want to say and to hear the things they want to hear. Bella offers flexible hours on weekends and evenings.

吴诚钰Bella是NBCC美国国家认证咨询师（ID 1600612）和美国咨询协会ACA的成员。她拥有匹兹堡大学临床康复与心理健康咨询硕士学位。她曾在卡内基梅隆大学的咨询中心对来自美国各地和 10 个外国的数百名学生提供中英双语心理咨询服务。她还曾在匹兹堡大学附属精神病医院住院部和北京大学深圳医院特诊心理科见习。

Bella邀请您一起踏上不断实现自我的人生旅程。并用专业技能与温暖的力量助您面对一路上会有挑战，例如关系冲突、高期望与现实之间的差距、职业规划的迷茫、找到自己的身份、适应意外变化所带来的情绪及行为困扰。她希望为来访者提供一个安全的空间让他们可以畅所欲言，让心声被听见，脆弱被接纳，挣扎和坚韧被看见。 Bella 在周末和晚上提供灵活的工作时间。
地点：线上
语言：英语、普通话

CH Huang, LMSW

Education:
Types of Therapy:
Languages: English
Works with:
Locations: Online

Chiung-Hsuan Huang, LMSW, is a private-practice counselor in Shanghai specializing in child and adolescent mental health. A social worker by training, she has worked in the community health center in the USA; at Child Protective Services in Taiwan, and with asylum-seekers in Hong Kong. She has experiences with children and teenagers with emotional and behavioral issues, adults with marital and family relationships issues, mental disorders, personal growth and multicultural issues. CH Huang has obtained certificate training in child-centered play therapy, cognitive-behavior therapy, and Structural Family Therapy. She recently completed the 2-year Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Training.

Carrie Jones, LCSW

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.

Cecilia Ding (丁希希）, CCC

Canadian Certified Counselor, Self Growth Coach

Education: MA in Counseling
Types of Therapy: Trauma Processing, EMDR, Brainspotting, IFS, Emotional Regulation, Stress Management, Couple and Group Therapy
Languages: English, Mandarin
Works with: Adult, Teenager, Couple
Locations: Online

Cecilia has had a passion for empowering others since high school. Her fight against domestic violence was featured in the New York Times(on the FAST track) and received awards from Hillary Clinton. After graduating from Harvard, she worked on venture capital and IPO projects. After achieving success with her own investment firm in the United States, Cecilia decided to return to her roots of helping others as a life coach. She has coached for many years and is now pursuing a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology (LMFT track) from Palo Alto University and receiving training in individual, family, couples counseling, and specialties such as play therapy and teletherapy.

While Cecilia came from a coaching background, she believes that clients ultimately have all the answers within themselves. She helps them uncover the power already within.  She guides her clients to answers rather than giving them the solution (授之以鱼不如授之以渔).  

Cecilia grew up in China and America. She studied in many countries and lives in a bicultural family. She appreciates the richness and challenge of a diverse community. Cecilia deeply respects everyone’s freedom to be the best version of themselves and believes family units, love, and aspirations come in many equally valuable forms. She sees clients of many ages, with a particular strength for helping couples and individuals managing transitions such as the birth of a new child, affairs, midlife anxiety, career changes.  

 She looks forward to meeting all that life will put in her path. 希希欢迎大家用中文咨询。

Corrine Wu, AMFT, CCC

USA Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Canadian Counselor, 国家二级心理咨询师

Education: MSEd in Counseling, MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, B.A. Psychology
Types of Therapy: Child Play Therapy, EMDR, Family Therapy, Person-Centered, Attachment Based Therapy
Languages: English, Mandarin
Works with: Child, Teenager, Adult
Locations: Online

Qinchen (Corrine) is a licensed mental health counselor from China and a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in California. She achieved her degrees, clinical trainings, and play therapy certificate in the States. She achieved her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from University of Arizona, her first Master’s degree in Counseling and Mental Health Services from University of Pennsylvania, and her second Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from California School of Professional Psychology. Qinchen is also a trained EMDR therapist and a registered Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator.

Qinchen has worked for over five years in international schools, a hospital children’s center, hospice, and clinics with children, adolescents, adults, and families. She has worked with people from diverse cultural and social backgrounds and is familiar with multidisciplinary teamwork. Qinchen returned to China in 2021 and is now working as a bilingual mental health counselor both with the local population and expat families. Her main therapy models include EMDR, Play Therapy, Internal Family System, Solution Focused Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Curt Spigelmyre, MA, LMFT

USA Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Languages: English
Works with: Couple, Family, Individual
Locations: Online

Curt is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who graduated from Wheaton College, IL, USA. He specializes in assisting individuals, couples, and families who are in times of transition and/or facing challenging situations. Curt has done extensive work helping those with trauma, loss and grief issues, and struggling with addictions.

Curt’s counseling approach uses a variety of different methods with his clients based on their presented need including emotional focused therapy, attachment theory, family system therapy, internal family systems, mindfulness, cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and solution-focused therapy.  

Curt seeks to provide a safe place for clients to be seen, heard, and accepted. He aspires to help couples deepen their connection by addressing their underlying wounds and supporting them towards great openness and transparency to each other. Curt actively connects with and understands his clients and their stories. Some of us have never been invited to explore parts of our story that deeply affected us. Our lives are often so busy that we do not give ourselves permission to listen to what our bodies are telling us about the stress and/or the pain that we carry until we get crushed underneath by what overwhelms us.

Curt has cross-cultural experience in various teaching and counseling positions in southeast Asia for fifteen years. He also had a cross cultural marriage with his wife Nancy who he has been married to for thirteen years. In his free time, he likes eating good food, watching movies, listening to music, cycling, swimming, reading, and playing with his three energetic boys.

Eason Shang, M.Ed., M.S., M.B.

Canadian Certified Counsellor (#11241030) with the Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association
Licensed Psychotherapist in China (#30220220731010140756)
Supervisor in Mental Health Counselling

Education: M.Ed. in Counselling and Development, M.S. in Educational Psychology, Bachelor degree in Medicine, Supervision in Mental Health Counselling Trained at Beijing Normal University (Zhuhai Campus)
Types of Therapy: Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprecessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and CBT, individually tailored and eclectical humanistic approach, kids friendly play therapy, supervisor in mental health counseling trained at Beijing Normal University.
Languages: English, Mandarin
Works with: individual (all age group), couple, family, new professionals (supervision)
Locations: Pudong, Online

My passion to become a psychotherapist emerged during my adolescent years when I started to experience personal crises mostly related to social anxieties and depression. I quit my previous career as a Licensed Physician in China and embarked on this journey in 2014 in the U.S. by obtaining my M.S. in Educational Psychology in 2016 and then my M.Ed. in Counseling and Development in 2019. I returned to China in 2020 as a licensed Resident in Counseling in Virginia, the U.S., and a Canadian Certified Counselor. Since then, I have been working as a full-time psychotherapist in Pudong area, Shanghai and online.

In my clinical practice, I am taking a very caring approach to provide an affirming and supportive environment in which clients can safely explore, acknowledge, and express their emotions and feelings. My role in psychotherapy is to empower clients to become more resilience during emotional disturbance, as well as to develop new responses to life situations. I believe that clients’ interactions with me are a powerful foundation for bringing about corrective emotional experiences, and resolution occurs through the dynamics of therapeutic interactions. My special clinical interests include anxiety, panic disorder, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, anger management, and couple therapy, etc. In addition to my clinical work, I am also a well-trained supervisor in mental health counseling. I provide regular supervision consultation to graduate student interns and new professionals in mental health counseling. Furthermore, I am also working with corporate partners to help their employees thrive with ongoing programming related to improving mental health, communication, and moving through conflicts, etc. During my leisure time, I enjoy biking, swimming, road trip, camping and hiking with my wife and our two young children.

Eunice Lazar, LP, MS

Romania Certified Counsellor

Education: MA in Clinical Psychology
Types of Therapy: Systemic Family Therapy, TA, Work, Organizational Counselling
Languages: Romanian, English
Works with: Adult, Teenager, Family, Child, Couple
Locations: Online

Eunice Adriana Lazar is an accredited practitioner in Systemic Family Therapy and Clinical Psychology who is a member in good standing of the Romanian Psychology Association.

During the years between 2013 – 2017, she worked in a Health Care Clinic in Romania with diverse client profiles, undertaking clinical assessments as well as individual psychotherapy.

During this time, she also partnered with organizations on personal development assessments and highly sought-after training to help people become more aware of their mental health and wellbeing.

She is currently enrolled in Transactional Analysis Training with Yorkshire Training Centre International – Romania and she continues to work with adults, families, and children who are challenged with diverse, clinical, issues such as:

Family dysfunction, Trauma, Abuse, Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Burnout, Addiction, AD(H)D, Sexual dysfunction, Eating Disorder, Clinical Assessment and Testing.

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

Master’s Degree – Clinical Psychology – Romania Free practitioner as a Clinical Psychologist

Master’s Degree – Work, Organizational Psychology – Romania Organizational & Career Counsellor

Psychotherapy – Family Systemic Therapy Training – Dianoia Centre – Romania
Free practitioner as a Family Systemic Psychotherapist

Psychotherapy – Transactional Analysis Training – Yorkshire Training Centre International – Romania
Practitioner under supervision

Workshops:

^– Fragmentation to Integration (attachment theory, polyvagal theory, transactional theory) – Link Centre, United Kingdom – 2023

^– Working with Drama Triangle (Persecutor, Victim, Rescuer) – Link Centre, United Kingdom – 2023

Dr. Hifumi Ohnishi, LP, Phd

Licensed Psychologist, MI, USA

Education: Ph.D. Counseling Psychology
Types of Therapy: Multicultural, Psychodynamic, Humanistic, Existential, Interpersonal perspectives
Languages: English, Japanese
Works with: Adult, Couple
Locations: Downtown, Pudong

Dr. Ohnishi is a licensed psychologist (Michigan, USA) with 19 years of counseling experience.  She earned her Ph.D degree in counseling psychology with a specialization in multicultural counseling from University of Connecticut, USA.

Dr. Ohnishi’s theoretical orientation is an integration of multicultural, psychodynamic, and humanistic perspectives.  She is a native of Japan and worked at a mental health center and university counseling centers in the USA. She provides individual and couples counseling for adults from international backgrounds. Her expertise is in the areas of cross-cultural relationships, cultural transition, relationship problems, LGBTQ concerns, career, depression, mood, anxiety, and adjustment issues including clinical assessment and diagnosis.

Jon Sedarati, MBACP

UK Registered Counsellor with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

Education: MSc Psychology
Types of Therapy: Systemic, Psychodynamic, CBT
Languages: English
Works with: Adult, Teenager, Child, Couple, Family, Group
Locations: Downtown, Online

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

Jessica Yin

Education:
Types of Therapy:
Languages: English
Works with:
Locations: Online

Jessica has a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Palo Alto University (CACREP accredited) in Palo Alto, California, U.S.A. Prior to entering this program, she obtained the Chinese National Psychological Counselor license (Secondary Level). Jessica is practices individual counseling, couple counseling, groups, EAP and SAP. She also has extensive experience in crisis helplines for mental health support and focuses on supporting people living with HIV and the LGBTQ+ population, providing services to help with gender-identification, intimacy and trauma. Jessica maintains empathy, affirmation, recognition, and acceptance of the sexual orientation and gender identity of her clients, supports them to better accept themselves, better identify themselves, better affirm their identity, reduce the internal conflicts, empower them, and helping to improve their relationships both interpersonal and in workplace. Through her rich life experience, exploration of personal gender identity, understanding of family, parenting, experience in different periods of education, exploration and experience in the workplace allow her to help clients from the perspective of gender identity, relationship, family and career development.

Joon Yun, M.Ed, NCC

USA State of Colorado – School Counselor Certificate
National Certified Counselor

Education: M.Ed
Types of Therapy: Person-centered, Solution-focused, CBT
Languages: English, Korean
Works with: Child, Adolescent
Locations: Pudong, Downtown

Joon Yun is a Licensed Counselor with a Master of Education degree in School Counseling from Lehigh University (Pennsylvania, USA) and is currently working towards her Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Joon was born in South Korea, grew up in Singapore, and pursued higher education in the United States. Joon moved to Shanghai in 2020 and is currently working as an Elementary School Counselor, serving over 800 students aged 4 to 11. With her work experience in various countries and cultural backgrounds, Joon is committed to supporting clients struggling with a wide range of challenges such as depression, anxiety, adjustment, culture shock, relationship issues, and identity development. Her goal in counseling is to work with her clients as a team to journey through the clients’ struggles and help them facilitate their potential, heightening clients’ understanding of their capabilities and strengths. Joon is a strong believer in eternal growth in the human mind, and her vision is to plant ever-growing seeds in clients’ minds fostering their self-actualization.

Joon provides individual and small group counseling sessions to children and adolescents utilizing techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-centered approach to Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Play Therapy.

Javiera Rebora, MA

Chile Psychologist

Education: MA Clinical Psychology
Types of Therapy: Psychoanalysis
Languages: Spanish
Works with: Adult
Locations: Online

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.

Katrina Robin Volante, RMHCI

USA Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

Education: Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Palo Alto University)
Types of Therapy: Constructivism, Therapeutic Writing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy (PCT)
Languages: English
Works with: Ages 17+
Locations: Online

Katrina is a graduate of Palo Alto University where she earned a Master’s of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She completed her student internship with CCS where she specialized in treating depression, anxiety, OCD and harm-related OCD, LGBTQIA+ issues, and life transition issues. She also worked with Moving Forward Family Services, a nonprofit based in Canada, to provide telehealth services to the underserved communities of Vancouver. At present, she is working towards licensure in the U.S. (Florida) and professional certification in Canada with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.

In addition to CBT and affirmative counseling, Katrina practices from a constructivist perspective, a counseling theory that posits that individuals create their own reality and have the power to restory their lives. Therapeutic writing and movement as well as meditation and breath work are often used during session to deepen insight.

Katrina is currently providing telehealth services to adolescents (16+) and adults.

Linlin Allen, MBACP

UK Registered Psychotherapist (#383755) with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

Education: MA in Person-Centred Experiential Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice
Types of Therapy: Person-Centred, Humanistic
Languages: English, Mandarin
Works with: Adult, Teenager 14+
Locations: Downtown, Online

Linlin Allen is a registered therapist with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She has a Master’s Degree with a distinction in Person-centred Experiential Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice from the University of Nottingham.

Her therapy emphasises on the healing power of the therapeutic relationship, thus she offers a warm and completely accepting environment that is safe for exploring difficult experiences. With her presence, people may find themselves stripping away their masks and feeling more in touch with their authentic selves. She also utilises her felt sense to reflect and provide helpful insights for her clients. She tries to see the world through your eyes first, then lends her brain to you for thinking, feeling and debating important topics in your mind.

She has had experience working with adults and children in the UK and in Shanghai, regarding a broad range of topics including personal growth, existential questions, depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, low self-esteem, childhood trauma, generational trauma, relationships (family/friend/partner), sex, puberty, cultural diversity, lgbtq+, work stress. Though she was born and raised in China, she has been living her adult life within the international community. She identifies herself as someone with a more “western” mindset, but can also understand the Asian culture. She is fluent in both English and Chinese.

Linlin believes that every person is unique, and she does not expect her clients to be any different from who they are. Her favourite quote is “People are just as wonderful as sunsets if you let them be. When I look at a sunset, I don’t find myself saying, ‘Soften the orange a bit on the right hand corner.’ I don’t try to control a sunset. I watch with awe as it unfolds.” – (Carl R. Rogers, A Way of Being)

Li Li, PACFA

Australia Registered Counsellor with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia

Education: MCouns, MCom, GradDPsy, BCom
Types of Therapy: ACT, CBT, SFBT
Languages: English, Chinese
Works with: Adult, Teenage 14+
Locations: Pudong, Downtown, Online

Li is a registered counsellor from Psychotherapy and Counseling Association Australia and a certified career counsellor. She has a dual career path in counseling psychology and commerce, holding a Bachelor and Master’s degrees in psychology and counseling from Monash University and commerce degrees from the University of New South Wales. Before counseling, she had more than ten years of experience in the investment and consulting industry. The negotiation and interpretation skills, meticulous logical thinking, and the ability to view issues from different angles that she developed are all beneficial in assisting clients in exploring new perspectives and managing relationships. In addition, she is a solution-focus therapist with systematic training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She tailors therapy plans to help clients understand their concerns and develop coping strategies.

Li was born in Shanghai and went to Australia in high school. Her cross-cultural background, corporate experience, and counselling speciality made her unique and well-suited for cross-culture, self-exploration, personal growth, emotion management and relationship counseling. She is a thinker who respects authentic feelings and prefers to be genuine. She believes that everyone holds a shining pearl inside but is covered with “dust,” as we often restrict ourselves with perceptive limitations and are burdened by our moods. She aims to combine her corporate experience and counseling psychology profession to help clients develop new perspectives on their issues, cultivate resilience to better cope with struggles, and explore the richness inside to live a more peaceful and fulfilling life.  It is her goal that counseling will assist clients in learning to remove the “dust” and uncover the shininess of the internal pearl.

李力是一位来自澳洲的咨询师，毕业于澳大利亚莫纳什大学咨询硕士专业。她拥有咨询和商科双硕士，同时也是一名生涯规划师。在加入咨询行业前，她在金融投资行业有10年的工作经验。原先在商业尽调和谈判中培养出缜密的逻辑思考，让她擅长分析谈话内容，寻找矛盾点，帮助来访者从不同角度观察问题。她喜欢用苏格拉底式的对话帮助来访者打开认知盲区，拓展意识边界。她受过认知行为疗法和接纳与承诺疗法的系统训练，擅长按照来访者的需求定制咨询方案。

她出生在上海，16岁起赴澳留学。她的跨文化背景、企业经验和咨询专业使她在跨文化交流、自我认同、个人成长、压力管理和生涯规划方面有独特的优势。她喜欢思考，尊重真实感受，珍视人性中自然流动的真情实感。她相信佛陀所说的每个人都怀有价值连城的明珠，只是明珠的光芒被烦恼所遮蔽。她希望能将她的商业经验和心理咨询专业相结合，帮助来访者打开新视角、培养心理弹性来应对快速变化的社会环境。愿每个来访者能找到自己生命的意义和价值，获得内心的安稳、喜悦与平静。

Lydie Bonnet, MSCP

France Certified Clinical Psychologist

Education: Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology
Types of Therapy: Talk therapy, Family therapy, Parental guidance
Languages: French, English
Works with: Pre-teen, Teenager, Adult
Locations: Online

Lydie Bonnet is a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist from France. She obtained a master’s degree in clinical psychology and psychopathology from Lyon 2 University.

She has worked in medical settings and educational organizations roviding individual and group therapy in both France and China.

In her practice, Lydie has had extended experience in the treatment of people suffering from anxiety, depression, loss of meaning in relation to work and/or life circumstances, and those with difficulties socializing. She also has specialized training in the use of theater and other art media in individual and group therapy for young people with emotional, behavioral and communication issues.

In her practice, she assists clients seeking relief from distress related to their mental and emotional health and accompanies them as they develop in their ability to understand and respond to their experience.

At CCS, Lydie provides individual therapy for adults, teenagers, and preteens as well as consultations for parents and families. She provides therapy in both French and English.

Laura Swartz, MA

Education: MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Types of Therapy: CBT, Attachment Theory, EMDR, psychodynamic approaches, Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Works with: Adults
Locations:  Online

Laura Swartz is an American Registered Counseling Associate and holds an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Colorado Christian University (CACREP accredited). She has spent nearly 14 years abroad in China and Japan and has been in Shanghai for about 10 years. Laura’s approach to therapy is primarily a blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, attachment theory, EMDR, and psychodynamic approaches. She has completed levels 1 & 2 training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and uses this approach in couples’ work. Laura’s client base is mostly made up of people seeking help for depression, anxiety, attachment style, recovery from narcissistic abuse, trauma, and borderline personality disorder. Laura aims to create a safe and supportive environment for clients to express themselves and find workable solutions that can be used independently. Her goal is for clients to learn the skills necessary to manage challenges and become the version of themselves that they’ve always wanted to be. 

Marina Kalashnikova, MA

Russia Certified Psychologist

Education: MA in Psychology
Types of Therapy: ACT, DBT, CBT, MI and other evidence-based approaches; trauma-informed therapy
Languages: English, Russian, Spanish
Works with: Adult, Teenager, Couple, Family
Locations: Online

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.

Mirian Bonomi, LP, MS

Brazil Licensed Psychologist

Education: Psychology Degree, Masters in Public Health
Types of Therapy: Psychoanalysis
Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, a little French.
Works with: Adults, Adolescents, Families
Locations: Downtown

Mirian Bonomi is a psychologist from Brazil with a Master’s Degreein Public Health, with a focus on women’s and gender studies. She has worked for the Public Health Sector in the women’s and children’s health department in Brazil, as well as in hospital settings. She has also worked withdomestic violence and abuse in different capacities. In her role as an educator, for over seventeen years she has been working closely with parents/families, helping them deal with situations of child upbringing in a positive and collaborative way. She has been in Shanghai since 2016, working in multicultural environments. Mirian uses a psychoanalytical therapeutic approach and works with adults, children, parents and families, both individually and in groups. Mirian also provides support for pregnancy, perinatal period, and parenting.

Nancy (Shengmei) Spigelmyre, LMFT

USA Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Education: Master Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
Types of Therapy: Emotionally Focused Couple/Family Therapy, Family Systems, Trauma-informed Therapy
Languages: English, Mandarin
Works with: Couple, Pre-marital couple, Family, Individual
Locations: Online

Nancy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist from Chicago, IL. She has broad experience working with families, couples and individuals both in the United States and internationally. Nancy brings compassion, authenticity, and cross-cultural life experience into the counseling relationship. Born and raised in East Asia, Nancy grew up in a culture with a negative stigma towards mental health before eventually discovering healing and growth through therapy for herself.

Nancy approaches therapy from person-centered, attachment theory and trauma-informed perspectives. She seeks to provide a safe environment for couples and individuals to explore family dynamics, past relationship trauma, and attachment patterns that contribute to ongoing struggles. She is a firm believer that wounds can be healed through secure bonding relationship. She also apply experiential approaches to help clients explore here and now emotions and thought process.

Nancy is passionate about working with individuals and couples experiencing marital distress and parenting issues. Being in a cross-cultural marriage for 14 years has given her a greater understanding and empathy for clients in similar situations. She also specializes in working with individuals dealing with mood disorders, attachment issues, identity struggles, and trauma. Nancy has moved multiple times between Asia and North America and can relate to those who constantly find themselves in transition. There has been many exciting events in her life, but she considers raising three energetic boys to be her biggest adventure so far! 

Dr. Cheng Qi

Psychotherapist, Counselor, Child Life Specialist

Education: PhD in Psychology
Types of Therapy: Eclecticism, Solution-Focused, Family Therapy, Client-Center Therapy, Ericksonian Hypnotherapy, Medical Stress Assessment and Intervention
Languages: Mandarin, English
Works with: Adult, Teenager, Child, Couple, Family
Locations: Downtown, Pudong, Online

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.

Sharon Lui, MAMFT

Marriage and Family Therapist

Education: Master in Family and Marriage Therapy
Types of Therapy: Marriage, Cross-cultural marriage, Third culture family, Mixed culture family, Individual
Languages: Mandarin, Cantonese, English
Works with: Adult, Teenager, Child
Locations: Minhang

Sharon Lui obtained her Marriage and Family Therapy Degree from Bethel Seminary San Diego. Her eastern upbringing and western education give her personal and professional advantages in working with cross-cultural marriages and third culture kids. Before coming to China, she worked as a substance rehabilitation counselor at Salvation Army and California Smokers Helpline. Sharon has also worked with an EAP firm and provided counseling service and training to a number of Fortune 500 corporations in Shanghai.

Scott Shen, LSW

Licensed Social Worker

Education: Master of Social Work
Types of Therapy: Solution-Focused therapy, CBT, DBT, Family therapy, Mindfulness
Languages: English, Mandarin, Shanghainese
Works with: Adult, Teenager, Child, Couple, Family
Locations: Pudong, Downtown, Online

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.

Sarah Yao

Play Therapy Intern

Sarah YAO is an experienced childcare worker specializing in Child and Family Education. With many years of hands-on experience working with children and families, she is dedicated to empowering children to reach their full potential and fostering their overall well-being. She is currently working towards her certification as a Play Therapist with PTUK. To that end, she is required to provide subsidized PTUK sessions in her local community.

Sarah姚诗芸是一位有经验的儿童工作者，专注于儿童和家庭教育。在一线与儿童和家庭工作多年的实践经验中，她一直致力于帮助儿童发挥他们的全部潜力，并培养全面幸福感。她现在正在通过进一步学习去申请PTUK的游戏治疗师专业资格证。因此，她需要为当地的社区提供补贴的PTUK游戏治疗。

Theresa Decker, MA

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.

Tianyi Ma, MSc

Education: MSc in Theoretical Psychoanalytical Studies; MSc in Psychological Studies; Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Program at Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute
Types of Therapy: Psychodynamic
Languages: English, Mandarin, a little Spanish
Works with: Adult
Locations: Online

Hello, it’s Tianyi. I got my Master’s degree in Psychological Studies in the University of Glasgow, and my second Master’s degree in Psychoanalytical Studies in the University College London. I continued with my two-year counseling training (APA model) with intensive supervision in China, and I have worked with adults and teenagers for more than 4 years.

I offer insight-oriented psychotherapy (“psychodynamic therapy”) for those looking to deepen their understanding of themselves and their relationships. People usually come to therapy with ‘problems’ in their daily life: feeling low, difficulties in intimate relationship, sleeping problems, lack of motivation, etc.. To better understand these problems, however, it is vital to understand a person as a whole, and to see how the past experience is affecting the current one, and the psychic dynamic beneath the ‘symptoms’.

My job is to listen, to understand, with benevolent curiosity and empathy. The aim of our therapy is to strengthen your own ability to understand yourself, because understanding oneself releases the energy necessary for change. Eventually, you come up with your own solutions to your problems, and to your life.

It takes time, and may not be a pleasant journey, but you don’t have to struggle alone. Please feel free to reach out if you are currently in a difficult situation and are willing to have a journey to explore yourself towards the inside. 

你好，我是恬怡。我在英国格拉斯哥大学取得我的心理学硕士学位，然后在伦敦大学学院取得我的精神分析硕士学位。我在中国进行了两年心理咨询培训（APA模式），并长期配有一对一督导。我有4年多和成人以及青少年工作的经验。

我的咨询取向是动力学取向，适合比较想要深度了解自己的关系模式以及个人成长的来访。 有的时候我们因为自己的“症状”来寻求帮助，比如情绪低落，亲密关系问题，睡眠问题，缺乏动力等等。要更好地理解这些问题，我们需要了解这个人的整体，过去的一些经历，以及“症状”后面的动力。

我会努力去倾听和理解你，带着我善意的好奇和共情。我们的咨询是为了让你有更好的能力去理解你自己，因为只有一个人能真正了解自己，才能把卡住的心理空间和能量释放出来，以用于改变现实世界的问题。 最终，你自己做出选择，你自己找到答案。

这需要时间，而且并不是一个轻松和容易的过程，但我会陪着你。 如果你有探索内心的意愿，你在生活中遇到了一些难题，欢迎你联系我。

最后，有一句话想要和你共享：“人生并没有不痛苦这个选项，所有你能做的只是去选择，承受“这些痛苦”还是“那些痛苦”。而那些我们所选择的，最后让我们成为了我们”。

Dr. Vilia Lyell, D.litt et Phil

South Africa Clinical Social Worker, Psychologist

Types of Therapy: Psychodynamic, Systems, Attachment Therapy
Languages: English
Works with: Adult, Family, Couple
Locations: Downtown

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.

Wenjing Pu, CCC

Canadian Certified Counsellor, 国家二级心理咨询师

Education: Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling
Types of Therapy: Process-oriented, Psychodynamic, Humanistic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Informed
Languages: Mandarin, English, Shanghainese
Works with: Adult, Couple, Group
Locations: Downtown, Pudong, Online

Wenjing has a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Palo Alto University (CACREP accredited) in Palo Alto, California, U.S.A. She is a member of the American Counseling Association. Prior to entering this program, she obtained the Chinese National Psychological Counselor license (Secondary Level) which was government-recognized for the practice of psychotherapy in China. Since 2013, Wenjing has devoted herself to volunteering in the mental health field, offering pro-bono lectures on the need for more broad-based psychological awareness by the public; answering a hotline for issues related to parenting, youth development, mental health, etc; and acting as a contributing columnist and guest advisor at a Shanghai radio station program focusing on raising healthy children.

Drawing on her previous career experience in engineering, Wenjing is especially good at integrating rationality and sensibility into her counseling approach. She aims to blend diverse modalities from Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Humanistic Approach, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma Informed Care to treat various mental health challenges clients may face. Through her clinical practice, Wenjing is forming a unique style of integrating empathy and structure by blending aspects of Eastern and Western philosophies. A tailor-made therapeutic treatment plan is developed to benefit clients for their own unique life journey. Wenjing is pursuing developing specializations to treat a variety of issues including but not limited to relationships, emotional dysregulation, trauma, stress, grief and loss, addiction etc.

Wenjing believes during dark moments, an unbiased trained advisor can lift another person up and spark a flame within them, resulting in new hope, more energy, and a better future.

濮文菁是美国帕罗奥多大学临床咨询硕士学生，美国心理咨询协会（ACA））会员。早在2011年她已经获得中国政府认可的心理咨询执业证书-国家二级心理咨询师资格。从2013年起，她投身于心理健康领域，为普及大众心理健康知识开展了数场公益讲座，接听政府心理健康公益热线（12355）），就各类育儿、青少年身心发展等心理健康议题进行专业解答。她曾多次作为《上海教育》（晓周刊）撰写学生发展及心理健康主题专栏，并受邀参与上海广播电台FM93.4《教子有方》栏目嘉宾，分享亲子沟通及儿童发展方面的心理学知识和技能。

凭借之前在工程领域的工作经验，文菁尤其擅长将理性和感性融入她的咨询方法中。她旨在将心理动力学心理治疗、人本主义流派、认知行为治疗和创伤知情护理等多种模式融合在一起，以应对客户可能面临的各种心理健康挑战。通过诸多临床实践，她融合了东西方哲学，形成了一种共情与结构化相整合的独特咨询风格。她相信正因为每个人都拥有独特的人生经历，一个量身定制的治疗计划才会使客户受益，一个标准难以适应不同的需求。她的专业领域擅长：包括（但不限于）人际关系、情绪失调、创伤、压力、悲伤和失落、上瘾等。

文菁相信，在黑暗的时刻，一个不带偏见且训练有素的咨询师可以让另一个人振作起来，点燃他们内心的火焰，带来新的希望、更多的能量和更美好的未来。

Tonye Stuurman

Tonye Stuurman has lived in China for the past eight years. She has a Diploma in Journalism and an Honours Degree in Women and Gender Studies. In her home country, South Africa, she worked for many years as a community activist and workshop facilitator, focusing on gender-based violence.

Tonye has been an integral part of the CCS Teen Advocacy Group and introduced this group to the CCS Clothesline Project. In addition, Tonye also offers community workshops and seminars.