Telehealth and In-person in Flatiron, Manhattan
AAPI Mental Health
At City Lights Psychology, we offer compassionate, culturally responsive therapy for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) individuals and couples in New York City. We understand that mental health challenges in AAPI communities often exist alongside deep cultural expectations, family obligations, and unspoken generational wounds. Whether you’re navigating the tension between your cultural roots and your personal identity, carrying the pressure to succeed while feeling emotionally disconnected, or struggling with mental health stigma, our therapists are here to support you. We provide a warm, affirming space to explore anxiety, perfectionism, depression, perinatal mental health, and relationship concerns through a lens that honors your lived experience—so you don’t have to choose between healing and cultural belonging.
Our Culturally Responsive
AAPI Mental Health Services
Mental Health Stigma and Shame
Processing and understanding fear or guilt about seeking help or expressing emotions.
We offer nonjudgmental, culturally sensitive therapy that helps reduce shame and increase emotional safety, even if therapy feels unfamiliar or uncomfortable at first.
Intergenerational & Cultural Identity Stress
Support for tension between your upbringing and personal values.
We provide a space to explore cultural identity, navigate conflicting expectations, and clarify who you are outside of who you’ve been told to be.
Relationship & Family Dynamics
Exploring romantic or familial challenges influenced by culture.
Our therapists support you in setting boundaries, expressing needs, and honoring both cultural loyalty and emotional wellbeing—without losing yourself.
First Generation & Immigrant Stress
Help with balancing bicultural identities and family pressures.
We understand the weight of being the “bridge” between generations and cultures—and help you process that role while reconnecting to your own voice and needs.
Model Minority Pressures & Expectations
Reducing the stress of living under the weight of high performance, invisibility, or silent resilience.
We help you unpack the impact of being cast in the “model minority” role—exploring how it shapes your self-worth, relationships, and emotional health, and helping you define success on your own terms.
Racial Identity Stress or Microaggressions
Support with the cumulative stress from racism, invisibility, or subtle daily invalidations.
Our therapists provide a validating space to process the emotional toll of microaggressions, code-switching, or racial gaslighting—and help you reconnect to your dignity and strength in a world that often misunderstands you.
Guilt Around Individuality & Autonomy
Managing struggles with prioritizing personal needs over family, culture, or tradition.
We help you navigate the inner conflict between self-determination and cultural loyalty, so you can create a life that feels authentic without losing your roots or community.
Perinatal Mental Health in AAPI Communities
Navigating pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting in AAPI families.
We help clients work through anxiety, guilt, and identity shifts that can be intensified by cultural roles and unspoken generational pressures.
Our Therapeutic Modalities
We offer an integrative, culturally-sensitive and trauma-informed approach of several therapeutic modalities:
Psychodynamic Therapy
Uncover and resolve unconscious conflicts, often stemming from childhood experiences, that influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
IFS-Informed Parts Work
Explore and integrate different “parts” or aspects of the self—such as conflicting feelings, beliefs, or roles—to promote self-awareness, internal harmony, and a more cohesive sense of identity.
CBT/DBT
Challenge maladaptive thoughts patterns and behaviors.
Learn distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, mindfulness and emotion regulation skills.
Why AAPI Therapy Matters & How We Can Help
Mental health support can feel unfamiliar—or even taboo—for many in the AAPI community. Internalized stigma, fear of burdening others, and pressure to appear "strong" can keep people from reaching out, even when they’re struggling. At the same time, many AAPI individuals face unique stressors: navigating cultural identity, code-switching, managing intergenerational family expectations, or being the “model minority” while feeling deeply unseen.
At City Lights Psychology, our therapists provide therapy that honors both your cultural context and your individual experience. Dr. Zhaoyi Chen specializes in working with AAPI clients navigating life transitions, anxiety, perfectionism, perinatal changes, and relationship dynamics. She integrates relational, trauma-informed approaches with culturally responsive care to help you process the past, understand your patterns, and build a future that feels like yours.
We Help Individuals Who Are...
Struggling with high-functioning anxiety or burnout
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Feeling torn between cultural/family values and personal needs
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Navigating parenting or postpartum within a cultural context
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Coping with family pressure, guilt, or emotional obligation
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Experiencing relationship challenges due to cultural dynamics
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Facing stigma around seeking therapy or showing vulnerability
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Processing experiences of microaggressions or racial trauma
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Dealing with shame, isolation, or emotional disconnection
What You Can Expect:
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A therapist who understand the nuances of AAPI identity, culture, and intergenerational dynamics
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Space to explore cultural shame, family expectations, and internal conflict without judgment
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Support for navigating bicultural stress, immigrant experiences, and identity formation
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An affirming approach that honors both cultural roots and your individual needs
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Guidance for setting boundaries, asserting yourself, and healing from cultural or familial guilt
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Expertise in perinatal and parenting-related concerns within AAPI family systems
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Flexible therapy formats: in-person in Flatiron, Manhattan or virtual across New York and New Jersey
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A collaborative, strengths-based process that meets you where you are—emotionally and culturally
Why Choose Us:
Our doctoral-level therapist, Dr. Zhaoyi Chen, is uniquely equipped to support individuals, couples and families in the AAPI community. Dr. Chen can hold sessions in English and Mandarin Chinese. She provides:
A Safe &
Welcoming Space
Whether you’re working through trauma or simply feeling overwhelmed, we offer a judgment-free environment.
Flexible
Care Options
Choose between in-person sessions in our Flatiron location or Telehealth appointments.
Evidence-Based Treatments
We draw on research-supported therapies to deliver effective and meaningful care.
How to Get Started
Step 1:
Book Your Free 30-Minute Consultation Call
The first step in starting your therapy journey is to book a free 30-minute consultation call with one of our psychologists. During this call, we’ll discuss what’s bringing you to therapy and help determine if one of our therapists is the right fit for you. If we don't have a match, we'll provide you with trusted external referrals.
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Please note: We are an out-of-network provider for all insurance companies except UMR-Top Tier, meaning you'll pay for sessions out of pocket and can seek reimbursement from your insurance company if you have out-of-network benefits.
Step 2:
Schedule Your
First Session
After confirming that we’re the right fit for you, we’ll schedule your first therapy session. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized care to help you work through your challenges and achieve the healing and growth you’re seeking.
Step 3:
Begin Your
Therapeutic Process
In your first session, we’ll dive deeper into your specific concerns and goals. Our therapists will work with you to understand the challenging you're facing with regard to identity and self-concept. We'll begin creating a personalized treatment plan that addresses your needs, helps you gain insight into yourself, and supports you in developing practical strategies for navigating life’s challenges. With ongoing support and guidance, we'll work together to build emotional resilience, confidence, and balance in your life.