Rachel Liu

I’m a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in New York with a Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University. I specialize in working with adults experiencing anxiety, trauma, and the lasting impact of difficult or overwhelming life experiences. I provide therapy in both English and Mandarin and enjoy working with clients from diverse cultural and bicultural backgrounds.

I have a particular interest in understanding how early experiences can shape the way we see ourselves, relate to others, and respond to stress in the present. Many of my clients struggle with anxiety, self-doubt, perfectionism, relationship difficulties, or feeling overwhelmed even when things may look okay from the outside.

I approach therapy with warmth, authenticity, and deep respect for each client’s story. My goal is to create a space where you feel genuinely understood and supported as you develop greater self-understanding, self-compassion, and new ways of responding to the challenges in your life.

My approach is trauma-informed, collaborative, and compassionate. I integrate evidence-based approaches including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and psychodynamic therapy, tailoring treatment to each client’s needs.

A focus of my work is helping clients understand the connection between past experiences and present-day anxiety. Sometimes symptoms such as panic, chronic worry, hypervigilance, perfectionism, or difficulties in relationships are not simply problems to “get rid of,” but patterns that developed for a reason. Together, we can explore these patterns with curiosity and compassion while building practical tools to help you feel more grounded and in control.

When appropriate, I use EMDR to help clients process distressing experiences and reduce the emotional intensity of memories, beliefs, and triggers that may still be affecting them today. My goal is not only to help you manage symptoms, but to support deeper and more lasting change.

In our first session, my goal is to help you feel comfortable, understood, and unhurried. We’ll talk about what brings you to therapy, what has been feeling difficult lately, and what you hope might be different. We may also begin exploring patterns or past experiences that could help us better understand what you are experiencing today.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before coming to therapy. We’ll work together to identify what feels most important and decide together how we might approach therapy based on your needs. I’ll also explain how I work and answer any questions you have so that you can decide whether we feel like a good fit.