Stephanie Shao

I’m a Taiwanese American therapist who works with second-generation immigrants, people of color, women of color, and queer folks navigating the pain of disconnection—from self, from family, and from the world around them. Whether you're carrying intergenerational trauma, struggling with self-worth, or moving through the quiet grief of not having had space to simply be—you’re not alone.

Many of the people I work with are holding complex identities and untold stories: navigating cultural differences, the pressure to meet others’ expectations, or the silent weight of being “strong” for everyone else. You may find yourself questioning who you are, what you need, or how to trust your own voice.

As a daughter of immigrants, I understand how difficult it can be to navigate your sense of identity and self across differences in values systems and beliefs. My work is shaped by Buddhist values of compassion, loving-kindness and patience of the full human experience.

I offer a warm, gentle, and trauma-informed space where you don’t have to hold it all by yourself. My approach is grounded in psychodynamic therapy, somatics (Somatic Experiencing & Sensorimotor Psychotherapy), Humanistic Therapy, and Internal Family Systems (IFS). These methods help us explore how your early experiences live in your body and shape how you relate to yourself and others today.

My work is deeply rooted in compassion, curiosity, and the belief that healing happens when we are met with presence—not pressure. Clients have shared that they feel safe to go at their own pace, to explore without judgment, and to reconnect with the parts of themselves that were silenced or lost.

There is power in human connection and the healing that can come from opportunities that allow us to be seen, heard, and understood in spaces where we have not always been. My approach to therapy is one of compassion, curiosity, and exploration. I hope we can create a space safe enough for us to visit these feelings together, at a pace that feels comfortable for you, equipped with tools and strategies that feel aligned with your needs.

The journey we embark on is one of discovery and healing. More than anything, I hope that you are able to walk out of sessions with deeper understanding, compassion, and trust in yourself to know your authentic self, and live a life of freedom that honors what is meaningful to you.

I am here to walk alongside you—as a collaborator, co-conspirator, and gentle cheerleader—as you find your way home to yourself.