Alice (XiaoRan) Zhao, LCPC
Founder of Safe Space Counseling Services
Board Approved Supervisor | Certified Brainspotter
License Number LC11656
ALICE IS ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS
Hello! I am Alice Zhao, a mental health therapist with an Asian background, originating from China.
With 8 years of experience in the field, I am deeply committed to providing culturally sensitive support and guidance to individuals from diverse backgrounds, drawing from my personal experiences as an immigrant and an Asian therapist.
I am a passionate, enthusiastic, and trauma-informed therapist. As an immigrant myself, I understand the unique challenges and strengths that come with navigating different cultures, adapting to new environments, and building a sense of belonging. I bring this valuable perspective into my counseling work, creating a safe and empathetic space where clients can openly explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
In sessions, I use integrated approaches, including CBT and person-centered, to help you achieve your goals. I use trauma-informed approaches like Brainspotting and Parts Work in sessions to guide you with a mind and body approach to allow you to connect with your inner child, younger self, and identify patterns that impact your relationships with others. Also, using my skills from Brainspotting, I can help you process events that have been stuck in your body. With her diverse background and being a mother of 2 young children. I have the skills and experience to connect with you and help you.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I am passionate and eager to help you when you are ready and want to begin this journey of healing. I’m here to help explore areas that you want to work on. I am best at working with trauma, PTSD, ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression. With the help of integrated approaches, we can explore goals, identify symptoms, and look into coping strategies.
What can clients expect to happen in their first session with you and moving forward?
During the first intake session, we are both new to each other, so building rapport is the first step. I would like to invite you to share what you have in mind and what brings you to therapy. I use the biopsychosocial model to explore your background with you, which includes your social support, your background, and childhood experiences, as well as your career path and relationship status. All the information is helpful for me to understand your situation and helps you create a list of areas that you would like to work on.
What do you feel are your greatest strengths as a provider?
I am fun and provide a dose of honesty. If we click and work well together, I am pretty straightforward, and I say the truth of what I observe in therapy about you to you. I believe that who you are in real life shows up in therapy, so sometimes pointing things out, maybe uncomfortable and awkward. I am also open to hearing feedback from you, which means what you like about therapy, and what you feel needs improvement. I don’t believe one model fits all and that we will all be the right fit for each other. So we do our best to help each other.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize, and why?
In sessions, I use combined skills from many approaches. To name a few, I use CBT to explore cognitive distortions, negative thinking, and overgeneralized thinking. I use Motivational interviewing to help you explore changes that you want and understand the stages of change with you, and to help you set up for success. I use Brainspotting to help you work on situations that you are stuck in, when you experience flight, fight or freeze responses. I am also a couples therapist, so we can work together with your partner with the training from Gottman.
What does successful treatment completion look like for your clients?
Successful treatment means you reached your goals and you feel like you can leave therapy for a while based on your own will. Not all the time we may reach this successful treatment completion due to many reasons. But I am here with you to do our best to help you feel like you have reached your goals. This would be the help from assessments, effective treatment planning, and measurements.
I want you to have insight into your own sessions and progress. Come up with questions, reflections, and feedback about your sessions time to time. I want you to feel supported, heard, and empowered. I am here to help and here to support your journey.
Appointment Availability
Virtual: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
In-person: Friday, 9 AM–1:00 PM
Accepted Insurance
Carefirst
Cigna
Aetna
UHC
Educational background and Completed Trainings
License number: LC11656
Board Approved Supervisor
Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Johns Hopkins University
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology at the University of Delaware
Certified Brainspotter
Personal sections:
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I am a mom of 2 young children and a business owner. So outside of therapy work, I am also very busy being a mom and an owner, but I like to enjoy nature and traveling around the world. Despite the busy workflow, I still like to see new things and try new food.
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I am a 7! I am fun and creative!
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I am hard-working and goal-oriented, whether as a business owner or therapist, I like to be busy throughout the day and year. I like to get things done and continue with the next challenge. I am also a fun and outgoing person by traveling to different places in the world and coming up with new ideas for gatherings.
If you are seeking a compassionate and culturally sensitive therapist who understands the complexities of being an immigrant and an Asian therapist, I invite you to reach out for a confidential consultation. Together, we can navigate the challenges you face and work towards your mental well-being and personal growth.
Schedule with Alice
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M-Tu: 2 PM- 8 PM
Wed-Fri: 10 AM-7 PM
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In-network with major insurances including BCBS, Carefirst, Cigna and Aetna.
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Individual Counseling
Intake (90791)
$200
Individual Session (53-60 minutes)
$180
Couples counseling
Intake session (2 hours)
$200
Regular session (60 minutes +)
$180