Edward Chan

As an Asian American who grew up in Texas, I understand what it can feel like to move through the world without fully feeling enough or having a true sense of belonging. Growing up between cultures shaped my understanding of identity, connection, and the pressures many people carry, and ultimately guided me toward becoming a therapist. I am a licensed therapist in New York with a Master’s degree in Advanced Clinical Social Work from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s in Applied Psychology from New York University. I support individuals, couples, and families as they navigate identity, relationships, and life transitions while building greater clarity, self-compassion, and a more fulfilling life.

When working with me, you can expect a space that is thoughtful, collaborative, and grounded in respect for your unique experiences. I believe therapy works best when it feels like a genuine partnership, where you feel safe to explore your thoughts, emotions, and challenges at your own pace. My approach is compassionate, culturally responsive, and focused on helping you better understand yourself while developing practical tools to navigate life’s difficulties. Together, we work toward greater clarity, resilience, and alignment with the life and relationships you want to build.

Starting therapy can feel unfamiliar, vulnerable, or even a little intimidating, and that’s completely okay. My goal in our first session is to create a space where you feel comfortable, supported, and not pressured to have everything figured out.

During our first session, we’ll spend time getting to know each other and exploring what’s bringing you to therapy. You’re welcome to share as much or as little as feels comfortable. We may talk about current stressors, patterns you’ve been noticing, relationships, work or school pressures, family dynamics, identity, or anything else that feels important to you.

I’ll also take time to better understand your background, emotional experiences, strengths, and goals so we can begin identifying what support might look like for you moving forward.

You can expect me to show up with warmth, curiosity, and collaboration- not judgment. Therapy with me is not about “fixing” you, but creating space to better understand yourself, build healthier ways of coping, and move toward the kind of life and relationships that feel more aligned and fulfilling.

By the end of the session, we’ll usually discuss initial goals, answer any questions you may have, and decide together what next steps feel most helpful. There’s no pressure to have everything perfectly articulated right away. We’ll figure things out together at your pace