Derek Li

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor who works with adults facing anxiety, ADHD, trauma, depression, chronic stress, burnout, and major life transitions. I have particular experience supporting people in high-pressure roles, including professionals in healthcare, STEM, and other demanding environments.

My background includes training in professional counseling at the University of Pennsylvania, along with additional academic and research experience in the sciences. This has shaped the way I think about therapy: I value both emotional depth and practical problem-solving.

Many of my clients are thoughtful, capable people who have learned how to function well under pressure, even while feeling overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected, or exhausted underneath. I also work with clients navigating relationship challenges, identity concerns, executive functioning difficulties, and the emotional toll of constantly having to “hold it together.”

My style is warm, grounded, thoughtful, and direct. I aim to create a space where clients feel understood and supported, while also being gently challenged toward meaningful change. I believe therapy should be more than just a place to vent. It should help you better understand yourself, build useful skills, and move toward lasting improvement.

My approach is tailored to each client and may draw from CBT, DBT, EMDR, motivational interviewing, and insight-oriented therapy. In our work together, we look at both the immediate problems bringing you into therapy and the deeper patterns that may be keeping you stuck.

I help clients strengthen emotional regulation, improve coping, process difficult experiences, and develop a more sustainable way of living. My goal is to offer therapy that feels both compassionate and productive.

The first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and begin building a clear picture of what is bringing you to therapy. We will talk about your current concerns, relevant background, patterns you have been noticing, and what you would like help with.

My goal in the first session is not to pressure you to share everything at once, but to create a space where you feel comfortable, understood, and supported. I will ask questions to better understand your experiences, and we can begin identifying goals and discussing what kind of approach may be most helpful for you.

Clients can expect me to be attentive, collaborative, and thoughtful. By the end of the session, I want you to have a better sense of how I work and whether we feel like a good fit.