Mimi Zhao

If you've survived something that still follows you — trauma, military service, or emotions that feel like they're running the show — you deserve therapy that's actually built to help, not just someone to talk to. I specialize in trauma, PTSD, and Borderline Personality Disorder, and I work full-time as a psychologist at the Department of Veterans Affairs, where I've developed deep fluency in military culture and the invisible wounds of service. That same structured, evidence-based approach is what I bring to every client: real tools, real progress, and a therapist who takes your recovery seriously.

I start by meeting you where you are. Some clients come in ready to dive deep; others need time to build trust before doing harder work — both are completely fine. I begin with understanding your goals and your readiness, then we work together using treatments chosen because they have the strongest evidence for trauma and emotional regulation: Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, ACT and DBT. Sessions are structured, progress is tracked, and you'll always know where we stand. The goal isn't just to feel better in the room — it's to build a life that feels worth living outside of it.

Our first session will entail getting to know each other and getting an understanding of your current difficulties. We'll cover what's bringing you in, what you've tried before, and what you hope therapy can do for you. I'll ask some assessment questions to understand your history and goals, and we'll begin sketching out a treatment direction together. It's completely normal to feel nervous walking in — I expect it, and we'll move at a pace that feels right for you. You don't need to have it figured out before we start.