I believe in the transformative power of relationships, and the capacity of every individual to make sense of their past in order to move more intentionally through the present. While my theoretical orientation is always underpinned by the psychoanalytic, my practical approach is to adapt to each person’s needs as the process unfolds.
Many people come to me from high-pressure professional or academic environments, and many more experience depression and/or anxiety. I have experience helping with a variety of difficulties across the life cycle, from childhood to mortality, and on matters ranging from the seemingly banal to the existential. I have a special interest in chronic and acute trauma, early childhood experiences, motherhood, long-term relationships, ambiguous loss, and the overlay of BIPOC experiences. I am dedicated to creating an environment in which anything can be said, felt, imagined, and explored.
I hold a Masters in Social Work from New York University and completed my internship at the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Study Center, where I received training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. I have a long career helping people and organizations overcome obstacles to realize their visions for the future. My experience includes more than 20 years of work with individuals in schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and startups. I completed my undergraduate work in Psychology, Sociology, and Urban Affairs & Planning at Hunter College, CUNY and Electrical Engineering at Columbia University.
Contact me at christina.yan.lmsw@gmail.com