Athena Chien

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 10 years of experience. Throughout my career, I have worked in various roles, including as a therapist and counselor at a community mental health clinic, a social worker for a multipurpose senior service program, and as a behavior health specialist in school environments across different age groups. I have received extensive training as an intern and have also taught therapy and counseling in a university graduate school program in California.

My specialties include the practical treatment of anxiety and depression. Many of my patients have expressed that therapy with me has been life-saving, equipping them with the right mindset to handle potential challenges on their life journey.

My approach

My approach to therapy is warm, relational, and collaborative drawing on family systems, CBT, mindfulness, psychodynamic and attachment theory, and narrative theory.

Patients can expect their words, thoughts, and feelings to be validated during the session. They will have opportunities to process their thoughts and reflect on experiences from both the past and present, helping them recognize if their thoughts contribute to a low mood. The therapist will support and empower patients to move towards a more positive direction.