PRISCILLA CHIN, LCSW (she/her)

Priscilla Chin

Hi, I’m Priscilla.

Are You Ready to Heal?

You’re tired of questioning yourself and feeling “not enough.” Painful experiences from your past have colored your inner world gray, leaving you wondering if things could be different. Deep down, you sense there’s more to uncover – a stronger, clearer voice waiting to emerge.

Perhaps you’re here because you want to:

Work through subconscious blocks.

Discover where you feel stifled and find ways forward.

Make peace with your past by understanding how it shapes your present.

Understand yourself more deeply.

Move beyond self-doubt and “not enough” feelings to connect with your inner wisdom and make decisions with more confidence.

Develop a clearer sense of your needs and wants.

Reconnect with your creativity and sense of possibility. 

Improve communication, conflict resolution, setting boundaries, or maintaining healthy relationships.

Develop healthier relationship patterns impacted by past trauma.

Navigate feeling disconnected from others or struggling to form meaningful connections.

Work through loss and grief. This includes anticipatory grief of aging parents, grief over an idealized family experience that was never a reality, or the emotional pain experienced after the passing of someone close.

As a first generation Chinese American therapist, I approach therapy with a deep appreciation for the complexity of your life, your sociocultural intersections, and the many factors that shape who you are. 

My therapeutic approach is integrative and tailored to your unique needs, combining brainspotting to work through stuck points and expand on your internal strengths and resources, psychoanalysis for uncovering unconscious patterns, and attachment work to build healthier relationships.

Offering teletherapy in New York, New Jersey, Virgnia, District of Columbia, and Vermont.

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Areas of Expertise

Addictions

addictions

If you’re struggling with addiction—whether it’s to sex, social media, shopping, alcohol, weed, cocaine, or other substances or behaviors—I want you to know that healing is possible, and you don’t have to face this alone. Addiction can feel isolating, overwhelming, and even shameful, but it’s important to remember that it’s often a coping mechanism for deeper pain, trauma, or unmet needs. My approach to addiction is rooted in compassion, understanding, and a commitment to helping you uncover the underlying causes of your struggles.

Whether you’re seeking to reduce harm, achieve sobriety, or simply understand your relationship with addictive behaviors, I’ll support you in finding a path that feels authentic and sustainable for you. Recovery is a journey, and it looks different for everyone.

Anxiety

signs of high functioning anxiety. High functioning anxiety symptoms. Treatment for anxiety. virtual counseling for anxiety

If you’re struggling with anxiety—whether it’s generalized anxiety, social anxiety, agoraphobia, panic disorder, or specific phobias—I want you to know that there is hope for relief. Anxiety can feel overwhelming, isolating, and exhausting, often making it hard to fully engage in life or feel like yourself. 

Together, we’ll work on understanding the triggers and thought patterns that fuel your anxiety, while also addressing how it shows up in your body and emotions, so that we can develop practical tools to help you feel more grounded and in control.

Dissociation

dissociation

Dissociation—feeling disconnected from your thoughts, emotions, body, or surroundings—and emotional numbing—feeling shut down or unable to access your feelings—are often ways your mind and body protect you from overwhelming pain, stress, or trauma. While these responses can be helpful in the short term, they can leave you feeling isolated, stuck, or disconnected from life.

In our work together, I’ll provide a safe, gentle space where we can explore the roots of your dissociation or numbing and work on reconnecting you to your emotions, body, and sense of self.

Grief & Life Transitions

Reconstruction and working through in grief. The emotional impact of grief. stages of grief, mourning stages, stages of grief 7, 7 grieving steps, 6 stages of grieving, 6 stages of grief

Grief is a deeply personal and often complex experience, and I’m here to support you as you navigate the pain of loss—whether it’s the passing of someone close to you, anticipatory grief as you face the aging or illness of a loved one, or the mourning of an idealized family experience that never came to be. Grief can feel overwhelming, isolating, and even confusing, especially when it doesn’t follow a linear path or fit societal expectations.

In addition to grief, I also support individuals navigating significant life and role transitions, such as career changes, becoming a parent, empty nesting, retirement, or shifts in identity. These transitions, while often exciting, can also bring up feelings of uncertainty, loss, or disorientation as you adjust to a new chapter of life.

Navigating Identities

transgender

Therapy can be a powerful space for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, and 1st & 2nd Gen individuals to navigate the unique challenges and intersections of their identities. It offers a supportive environment to explore experiences of marginalization, cultural complexities, intergenerational dynamics, and the search for belonging. Therapy can help unpack internalized biases, societal pressures, and family expectations, fostering self-discovery, resilience, and empowerment. It’s a place to honor your story, celebrate your strengths, and cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself within a culturally affirming and identity-affirming context.

Neurodivergence

neurodiversity

Working with neurodivergent brains, such as those with autism, ADD, or ADHD, involves creating a flexible, affirming, and creative therapeutic space that honors your unique ways of experiencing and interacting with the world.

 I understand that traditional approaches to therapy, like labeling emotions with words, may not always resonate with your unique way of experiencing the world. That’s why I embrace creative and flexible ways to explore feelings—whether through colors, art, images, textures, movie scenes, or body sensations. Your way of processing and expressing emotions is valid, and I’m here to meet you where you are, honoring your individuality and creating a space where you feel understood and supported.

Relational Stuckpoints

distancing-in-a-relationship-pursuer-distancer

I specialize in helping individuals navigate the complexities of relationships—whether it’s past romantic relationships, family dynamics, peer connections, or the challenges of dating. Relationships can bring joy, but they can also be a source of pain, especially when they involve betrayal, enmeshment, codependency, or attachment wounds. I understand how these struggles can leave you feeling stuck, disconnected, or unsure of how to build healthier connections.

Self-esteem and Self-worth

4 Common Misconceptions About Grief. stages of grief, mourning stages, stages of grief 7, 7 grieving steps, 6 stages of grieving, 6 stages of grief

This includes issues with perfectionism, self-blame, inadequacy, shame, and body image. Many high-achievers experience a persistent sense of never being “good enough,” driving them to strive relentlessly while simultaneously battling harsh self-criticism. In therapy, we’ll explore the roots of these patterns, often stemming from childhood experiences or societal pressures, and work towards dismantling the inner critic.

Brainspotting can help individuals overcome performance anxiety and enhance their performance in a variety of areas, such as sports, public speaking, and artistic pursuits.

Trauma

virtual counseling for complex trauma and complex ptsd symptoms

I provide a safe, compassionate, and affirming space for individuals who have experienced trauma in its many forms—whether it’s racial trauma, intergenerational trauma, sexual trauma, emotional abuse, religious trauma, natural disasters, physical violence, intimate partner violence, or domestic violence. I understand that trauma can leave deep wounds that affect how you see yourself, relate to others, and navigate the world. My approach is rooted in sensitivity, respect, and a commitment to honoring your story without judgment.

Together, we’ll work at a pace that feels right for you, creating a space where you can process your experiences, reclaim your sense of safety, and rebuild your connection to yourself and others.

My Therapeutic Approaches

My therapeutic approach is integrative and tailored to your unique needs, drawing from a variety of methods to support your healing journey. I specialize in Brainspotting, a powerful tool for processing trauma and accessing the brain’s natural ability to heal, and Psychoanalysis, which helps uncover unconscious patterns and deeper truths about your experiences. I also incorporate attachment work to explore how early relationships shape your connections today and help you build healthier, more secure bonds.

We’ll also explore the different parts of yourself, understanding their roles and how they’ve protected you, inspired by frameworks like Internal Family Systems (IFS). Additionally, I integrate non-verbal interventions, such as art, somatic (body-based) techniques, and visual imagery, to help you process emotions and experiences that may feel difficult to put into words.

My goal is to create a safe, collaborative space where you can explore all aspects of yourself—mind, body, and emotions—and move toward greater self-awareness, healing, and growth. Whether through talk therapy, creative expression, or body-centered practices, we’ll work together to find the approaches that resonate most with you.

Brainspotting: Accessing Deeper Healing

Brainspotting is a powerful mind-body approach that helps you process difficult experiences and emotions that may be stored in your body and nervous system. By finding specific eye positions (“brainspots”) that connect with your internal experience, we can:

Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychoanalysis is a powerful and transformative approach to therapy that delves into the deeper layers of your mind, helping you uncover and understand the unconscious patterns, emotions, and experiences that shape your thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. While it may require time and commitment, the benefits of psychoanalysis can be profound and long-lasting. 

What It's Like to Work with Me

Our work together is a collaborative journey where we co-create a space for deep personal exploration and growth.

approach-therapy

We cocreate therapy

I will always bring my expertise, training, and tools, but you bring equally valuable elements to our space: your lived experience, your insights about what works for you, and your understanding of your goals. You’re encouraged to speak up about what feels helpful or unhelpful, suggest topics to explore, and help set the pace of your work together.

I welcome your intersectional identities

I approach therapy with a deep respect for the complexity of your life and the many layers that make you who you are. 

This includes your cultural background, your social identities (such as race, gender, sexuality, religion, or ability), yours and your family’s immigration history, and the ways these intersect with your personal history and the world around you. 

I pay close attention to cultural nuances and how they shape your experiences, because I understand that these factors are central to how you navigate relationships, challenges, and your sense of self.

diversity-intersectional-identities
dorsal-vagal-shutdown

I offer therapy that engages your emotional and somatic system

Healing happens when we engage all parts of ourselves—not just our thoughts, but also our emotions, physical sensations, and the wisdom of our bodies. 

I believe that true transformation isn’t just about “figuring things out” intellectually; it’s about creating a space where you can safely feel, explore, and integrate your experiences in the here and now.

In our work together, I’ll encourage you to tune into your body’s signals and honor your emotional world as a vital part of your healing process. 

Meaningful change is a gradual process

I see healing as a gradual process of uncovering and working through layers—rather than a quick fix or finding a single solution. Meaningful change takes time, patience, and self-compassion. 

In therapy, we work through peeling back the layers of your experiences, emotions, and patterns to reveal deeper truths about yourself. This process can feel messy, nonlinear, and even uncomfortable at times, but it’s also deeply transformative.

In our work together, I’ll honor the pace of your journey. I believe that true healing happens when we allow ourselves to sit with the complexity of our experiences, even when it feels challenging and overwhelming. 

What is psychodynamic therapy? virtual counseling, psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy in NYC for emotional healing

Education & Trainings

Four -Year Psychoanalytic Training, Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy (2022)

Brainspotting Phase 1 & 2 (2024)

Gender-Affirming Care, Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD (2024)

Relational Interventions for Working With Complex Trauma, Katie Fries, MSW, LCSW (2024)

Recognizing and Supporting LGBTQ Clients from Intimate Partner Violence, Kaytlyn Gillis, MSW, LCSW-BACS (2024)

Family Dynamics in Aging,  Gabrielle Juliano-Villani, MSW, LCSW (2024)

Advanced Body-Based Interventions: Embodiment Practices in  Psychotherapy, Kara Cross, MSW, LMSW, RYT (2024)

2-Day: Trauma Conference: The Body Keeps Score-Trauma Healing with Bessel van der Kolk, MD (2020)

LGBTQ Competency, Mental Health Service Corps (2017)

Complicated Grief, Mental Health Service Corps (2017)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mental Health Service Corps (2017)

Intimate Partner Violence, Mental Health Service Corps (2017)

Trauma-informed Treatment, Mental Health Service Corps (2017)

Master of Social Work, Silberman School of Social Work a Hunter College (2017)

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Magna Cum Laude, New York University (2014)

SPECIALTIES

ADD/ADHD

Anxiety

Attachment wounds related to dating, codependency, peer relationships, relationships

Autism

Codependency

Cultural Adjustment

Dissociation & emotional numbing

POPULATIONS

Teens

Young Adults

Adults

Couples

Prioritize your mental health and self-care from the comfort of your home.

Schedule a phone consult here. We’ll chat about any questions you might have, and it’ll be an opportunity for me to learn more about you and what you’re going through.

Testimonials

M.R.
I tried two Betterhelp therapists before I came here.. wow the difference between the quality of therapy is notable. Quality therapy is different. My therapist isn't distracted. She remembers what I tell her and notices patterns. I'm glad I didn't just give up on therapy when it didn't pan out the first two times.
A.P.
I originally had some anxiety about therapy but it's been helpful to talk through that along with other childhood issues I've been dealing with.
S.L.
I've met Priscilla through our supervision group through the years. As a therapist myself, I can tell she is very punctual, empathetic, compassionate and an excellent listener. She also is resourceful and has wonderful clinical training especially in trauma and working with first generation American adults. You are in good hands, I highly recommend her!
A.B.
After working alongside Priscilla for several years, I can confidently say that she is a highly competent psychotherapist. She is knowledgeable, empathic, self-aware, respectful - qualities that make for the best therapists! Priscilla has advanced training in psychodynamic therapy and specializes in treating, among other conditions, high-functioning anxiety, complex PTSD, unresolved childhood trauma, and difficulties related to self-esteem. Her approach to therapy is one that goes beyond teaching coping skills to assist her clients in their journey toward emotional wellness and self-discovery...
S.S.
Priscilla is a wonderful colleague. She is a kind, insightful, and attentive therapist who is committed to her patients’ growth and who will support them throughout their journeys.

FAQs

Meeting consistently and stably on a weekly basis will help build safety and trust, which is essential for the work to progress on a deeper level. Biweekly sessions impact the effectiveness of therapy. 

Often, meeting less frequently results in a ‘catch up’ type of session and does not allow for the time, space, and emotional capacity needed to address what goes on beneath the surface.

Depending on the level of our work, there are also times when meeting two or more times a week is appropriate, and that will always come from us talking and making that decision together.

Therapy can last any time between a year to many more, as long as you are still progressing from our work. The length of therapy depends on what you want and need, and what you want/need can be fluid and dynamic. 

Healing and personal growth is not strict or predictable. You can start off by wanting to address something very specific (e.g. “I want to feel less anxious”), but through our work together could realize a deeper meaning to these anxious symptoms (e.g. “I feel anxious because I am terrified of intimacy” to “I’ve had very familiar experiences of being emotionally suffocated when I was close to people”). Realizing these deeper long-standing issues may then shape the focus and length of treatment. 

Regardless of why you are seeking therapy and how long you hope to be in treatment, it is important to remember that your thoughts and input are invaluable to us, and the pace and length of treatment will always be a collaborative discussion.

No information will be released without your written consent unless mandated by law. Possible exceptions to confidentiality include but are not limited to the following situations: child abuse; abuse of the elderly or disabled; criminal prosecutions; situations where the client is a danger, physically or emotionally, to themselves or another person. 

Anyone who wants a space to explore and discover more about themselves can benefit from therapy. If you’re unsure, try asking yourself these questions:

  • Am I content with the way I live my life?
  • Is the way I live myself and relate to others congruent with what I authentically value , feel, and want?
  • Are there areas of my life or self-development that I feel stuck in?
  • Have I been trying the same things over and over again to feel better, expecting different results, but still feeling stagnant?

You may not need to know the full answer to these questions to try a few sessions. Sometimes, mulling this over aloud with a therapist can help you sort out your thoughts and answers. That’s also part of the therapy process!

A 45-minute session for individual therapy is $250 and 60-minute session for couples therapy is $330. Limited sliding scale slots are available depending on financial need.

We are out-of-network providers for all major insurances, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, and United Health Care. 

Out-of-network psychotherapy coverage varies by carrier and policy. If you have out-of-network coverage, you can get reimbursed approximately 50-80% of each session after the deductible is met. It can be confusing if you don’t know the right questions to ask. Here is some guidance below.

Here are 3 simple steps.

Therapists, like all humans, have different personalities and ways of working. Naturally, not everyone will be a match for each other. That being said, we are still happy to have been a part of your journey and want to help in any way we can by offering recommendations for your therapist search as well as reaching out to our networks to see if anyone offers the kind of therapy you are looking for 🙂 

Therapy at our practice is not a passive process or a quick solution. People seeking a quick fix without having to do much work themselves may not be a good fit. Therapy is a gradual and ongoing process. It involves self-discovery, exploration, and developing coping mechanisms over time. Meaningful change often requires time and consistent effort.

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