Approach to Therapy:

We enter this world as beautiful and unique individuals, and life is full of joyful moments. Yet, inevitably, we experience moments of feeling unheard and torn apart. Life ebbs and flows and has ups and downs, and during those challenging times, we all deserve someone to walk us through the tunnel.

I am honored to be that guiding presence on your journey. Regardless of the similarities or differences in our experiences, at our core, we all seek to protect our wounds, yearn for validation, and pursue meaningful connections. You deserve a safe and empowering space to reconnect with your authentic self and significant others. I am here to create that space for you, attuning to your experiences and unlocking your potential to achieve the life you envision. Utilizing a collaborative and experiential approach, I am excited to help you rediscover your true SELF and understand the intricate interplay of your inner world, relationships, and socio-cultural identities.

Clinical Interests:

My work includes supporting individuals, couples, and families (specifically parent-child dynamic) dealing with anxiety, trauma, relational conflicts, and life transitions. As a relational therapist of color, I am committed to providing therapy for clients from diverse, intersectional identities, with a particular interest in helping cross-cultural couples navigate intimate relationships.

Having grown up in both the Eastern and Western worlds, I embark on my own journey of identity exploration as a bicultural and bilingual individual. I am dedicated to providing support to Asian communities and Mandarin-speaking individuals. Additionally, I strive to support immigrants and clients with transnational experiences, helping them navigate the fusion of cultures, process grief and loss from acculturation, and find communities for collective healing.

Education and Training:

I received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The Ohio State University and a Master's degree in Couple and Family Therapy with a Certificate in Sex Therapy at Adler University. Committed to continuous learning, I have completed Level 1 Gottman Method Training and am actively pursuing Level 2.

In my work with clients, I draw from diverse modalities tailored to the client's specific needs, including Systemic Therapy, Emotional-Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family System (IFS), Somatic Works, and Play Therapy. I aim to provide comprehensive and personalized therapeutic support for individuals, couples, and families.

3 Things I Love:

Go-with-the-flow conversations, goofing with my furry friends, and hot tea!

Yijie can be contacted at: yijie@amandaatkinschicago.com.