Telehealth and In-person in Flatiron, Manhattan
Therapy for International Students
Adjusting to a new country, school, culture, and expectations can be exciting — but it can also bring stress, anxiety, identity challenges, and feelings of isolation. At [Your Practice Name], we provide specialized psychological support designed for international students navigating academic pressure, cross-cultural adjustment, homesickness, relationship stress, language barriers, and more. Whether you’re struggling with stress related to academics, relationships, culture shock, or identity changes, our clinicians offer a safe, inclusive, and culturally attuned space where you can explore and work through these experiences with compassion and confidentiality.
Our Support Services for International Students
Cross-Cultural Adjustment & Acculturation Stress
Adjusting to life in a new country can feel overwhelming — from navigating unfamiliar social norms to balancing academic demands.
We help you identify stressors, make meaning of cultural differences, and build coping strategies that support your well-being and confidence.
Homesickness & Relationship Challenges
Being far from family, friends, and familiar routines often triggers loneliness, sadness, and confusion about identity.
We offer compassionate support for processing complex emotions, improving communication, and strengthening meaningful connections both here and with loved ones back home.
Language & Identity Stress
Feeling misunderstood or judged because of language differences can impact your confidence and emotional health.
Our clinicians understand how language stress intersects with culture, identity, and belonging — and we provide guidance to navigate these challenges with self-acceptance and clear communication skills.
Anxiety & Academic
Pressure Support
Striving for academic success while managing the expectations of family, peers, and scholarship requirements can create significant pressure.
Our therapy helps you develop tools for anxiety management, focus, boundaries, and resilience to perform well without burning out.
Trauma, Loss & Adjustment Following Major Transitions
Major transitions — such as moving countries, leaving family, or adapting to a new cultural and academic environment — can activate stress responses even when the change was chosen or long-anticipated.
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We offer trauma-informed care to help you process and heal from these experiences in a supportive, structured way.
Immigration-Related Stress & Uncertainty
Visa requirements, work authorization rules, and long-term uncertainty about the future can create chronic background stress that’s hard to name or share with others.
We help students process immigration-related anxiety, tolerate uncertainty, and develop grounding strategies that support emotional stability while navigating complex systems and decisions.
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.
Culturally-Informed Support for International Students
At City Lights Psychology, we provide therapy for international students navigating identity, belonging, and cultural adjustment in the U.S. Studying abroad can intensify questions about cultural identity, family expectations, language, and fitting in—especially when students feel pressure to adapt quickly or perform at a high level. Many international students experience bicultural stress, people-pleasing, dissociation, or confusion about who they are across different cultural contexts.
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Our clinicians offer culturally responsive, trauma-informed therapy to help international students explore identity concerns related to culture, race, gender, sexuality, neurodivergence, and immigration stress. Through individual, couples, or family therapy, we support students in building self-understanding, reducing internal conflict, and developing a more integrated sense of identity while adjusting to life and school in NYC.
We provide support for students who are...
Newly arrived and feeling overwhelmed or isolated
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Struggling academically due to stress or perfectionism
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Experiencing anxiety, panic, or depression
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Facing difficulties related to culture shock, identity, or language stress
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Navigating relationship challenges, homesickness, or adjustment after trauma
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Facing discrimination, racism, xenophobia, or microaggressions
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Struggling with feelings of not belonging, invisibility, or being “out of place”
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We frequently work with international students attending universities throughout New York City, including Columbia University, New York University, Pace University, The New School, as well as other graduate and professional programs.
What You Can Expect:
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Increased confidence navigating academic, cultural, and social environments
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Reduced anxiety, stress, and emotional overwhelm related to school, immigration, or performance pressure
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Greater clarity around identity, belonging, and bicultural or multicultural experiences
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Improved coping skills for homesickness, loneliness, and separation from family
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Healthier boundaries with family, professors, supervisors, and peers
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Stronger communication skills across cultural and language differences
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Greater emotional regulation during periods of uncertainty or transition
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Increased self-trust and ability to make decisions aligned with personal values
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Improved ability to process experiences of discrimination, bias, or microaggressions
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A stronger sense of belonging and connection in academic and community settings
Why Choose Us:
Our team of doctoral-level psychotherapists is experienced in supporting international students navigating cultural adjustment, identity shifts, academic pressure, and the emotional challenges of studying abroad. We provide:
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 or Telehealth appointments. Our Flatiron office is easily accessible by subway, making it convenient for international students from Columbia University, Barnard College, New York University, Pace University, Fordham University, and The New School to reach us quickly and easily.
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 practice with 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 transitions. With ongoing support and guidance, we'll work together to build emotional resilience, confidence, and balance in your life.