Your mind rarely switches off.
Worry, overthinking, tension, or fear keep taking up more space than you want.
Bilingual psychotherapy for adults & couples
A steadier way forward, with space to be fully understood.
Compassionate, culturally sensitive, trauma-informed therapy in English and Mandarin for anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, stress, and life transitions.
Virginia · Florida · Vermont | English · 普通话
Tess Zhao, LCSWPsychotherapist · She / Her / Hers
ClientsAdults & couples
LanguagesEnglish & Mandarin
LocationsVA · FL · VT
InsuranceAetna · Cigna · CareFirst · Optum/UHC
You may be here because…
Something in your life feels harder than it needs to.
You do not need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. We can begin with what is happening now and work from there.
You feel depleted or disconnected.
Low mood, stress, burnout, or major changes have made it harder to feel like yourself.
Past experiences still show up today.
Trauma, painful memories, or old patterns continue to affect your emotions and relationships.
Your relationships feel stuck.
Communication, boundaries, conflict, family expectations, or cross-cultural differences are weighing on you.
You are between versions of yourself.
Life transitions, identity questions, migration, school, work, pregnancy, or postpartum changes have shifted your footing.
You want to understand yourself more deeply.
Therapy can also be a place for reflection, self-exploration, growth, and intentional change.
Tess Zhao, LCSW
She / Her / Hers
She / Her / Hers
Meet Tess
You deserve therapy that feels human, not formulaic.
I’m Tess Zhao, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing psychotherapy in English and Mandarin.
My work is grounded in empathy, cultural sensitivity, and trauma-informed care. I prioritize a therapeutic relationship where you can feel safe enough to be honest, curious, and fully yourself.
We will make room for both insight and practical change—understanding the patterns that brought you here while building tools that can support you outside the therapy room.
How therapy can help
Focused on the concerns affecting your real life.
01
Anxiety & stress
Understand what fuels worry and pressure, and develop ways to respond with more steadiness and flexibility.
02
Trauma & emotional healing
Approach difficult experiences at a pace that prioritizes safety, agency, and your capacity to stay grounded.
03
Relationships & transitions
Work through communication, boundaries, family dynamics, partnership concerns, and major life changes.
04
Identity & cross-cultural life
Explore culture, belonging, family expectations, international transitions, and the parts of identity that matter to you.
What sessions can feel like
Insight and practical support, at a pace that fits you.
1
Understand what is happening. We identify the concerns, patterns, contexts, and goals that matter most.
2
Build a sense of safety and trust. Early work focuses on understanding your perspective and developing useful coping strategies.
3
Move into deeper work when you are ready. Therapy may include reflection, processing past hurts, strengthening relationships, and clarifying the future you want to build.
Practical details
Starting therapy should feel straightforward.
01
Schedule a consultation
Choose a time through the online scheduling page and take the first step toward seeing whether working together feels like a fit.
Schedule now →02
Review insurance & fees
Tess is in network with several major plans, and self-pay options are also available.
See costs & coverage →03
Choose your language
Sessions are available in English or Mandarin so important emotional and cultural nuances do not have to get lost in translation.
查看中文信息 →Ready when you are
You do not need a perfect explanation for why you are seeking therapy.
Start with a consultation. We can talk about what has been happening, what you are hoping for, and whether this feels like the right next step.
Schedule a ConsultationEnglish · 普通话