Riverbank Psychotherapy
a place to relax and heal
Riverbank Psychotherapy
a place to relax and heal
Are you looking for ways to feel less anxious, sad, angry and scared? It is natural to want to get rid of these feelings, but we often forget that all feelings, including the "bad" ones, contain something precious and beautiful - the authentic you.
Each feeling carries a message from your authentic self. Feelings are the most honest and reliable messengers. It takes tremendous amount of patience and courage to read these messages. And here in therapy, you don't have to do that alone. You will be supported to demystify the subconscious desires, feel safer, and move towards actual changes you want.
Starting therapy can be both scary and exciting. With us, you will be gently guided into this journey. Gradually, we will co-create a warm space for you to relax, express, struggle and grow.
Most student and commercial insurance accepted.
Our Network of Therapists
providing warm, direct and compassionate therapy
Zhe Yu
NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor with Permit
I was born and raised in China, where I worked as an assistant to a psychological counselor for one year. In 2024, I graduated from Yeshiva University with a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling. I currently hold a Limited Permit as a Mental Health Counselor in NYS.
Kaining Liu
NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor with Permit
I offer bilingual therapy (English/Mandarin) with deep respect for each person’s complexity. I believe healing begins when we face all parts of ourselves.
As someone who has lived between cultures, I understand the emotional tension of navigating identity and relationships. My style is direct, compassionate, and empowering. I aim to support you in building self-acceptance, breaking unhelpful patterns, and taking meaningful action.
Jiayi Xu
NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor with Permit
When I moved to the United States at 15, I faced language barriers, cultural differences, and the loneliness of being far from home. Adjusting to an entirely new environment was not easy, but those experiences taught me resilience, empathy, and growth. This journey also gave me a deep understanding of the challenges of cross-cultural life and the longing to feel truly seen and supported.
Shihua Liu
NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor with Permit
From a very young age, I felt drawn to understanding people and their inner worlds. At 18, I moved from China to the U.S., where I began my journey in counseling. Having lived between two cultures, I bring a deep sense of empathy and insight into the challenges of life transitions, cultural adaptation, and reconciling personal identity.
Kechun Li (Scarlett)
NYS Mental Health Counselor Associate (Columbia University)
Growing up in China and later coming to the United States shaped my sensitivity to culture, relationships, and the different expectations people carry. I know that people often come to therapy with things that are hard to sort through alone, such as questions about who they are, difficult relationships, or the lasting impact of past experiences.
Gracie Peng
NYS Mental Health Counselor Associate (Columbia University)
Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, as we have been carrying things on our own for a long time or are not sure what to expect or where to begin. Rest assured knowing that this is exactly the place where you don't need to have all the answers but a willingness to show up.
My name is Gracie and I am currently a Mental Health Counseling graduate student at Teachers College, Columbia University. My background includes
Yuting Wang (Vivienne)
NYS Mental Health Counselor Associate (Columbia University)
I often think that people do not come to therapy only because something major has happened. Sometimes, it is because they have not felt truly connected to themselves for a long time. They may be working hard to adjust to a new environment, navigating family expectations, questioning themselves in a relationship, or slowly feeling tired, anxious, and alone even when life seems to be going on as usual.
Kaihang Liu (Cassie)
NYS Mental Health Counselor Associate (Columbia University)
I offer bilingual counseling in English and Mandarin. My counseling style is warm and empathic, aiming to create a supportive space where clients express themselves openly, feel seen, and move closer to their authentic selves. This space also respects each client’s individuality, cultural background, and lived experiences. I believe that emotions, inner conflicts, and confusion all carry important meanings, and should be approached with curiosity and without judgement.
Therapy Approaches
Just like anything else in the world, there's no one therapeutic approach that works best for everyone. That is why our affiliated therapists incorporate multiple methods into their practice to best help every unique client. Here are three main approaches we use:
Gestalt Therapy
In Gestalt Therapy, the therapist and the client are focused on the present. Through this approach, you will be able to become more aware of your body sensations and what they might be eager to express. Oftentimes, when we fully hear and communicate with the estranged or disowned parts of ourselves, we are able to begin to heal and move on.
Every person's therapeutic journey is different, but the common thing is when we become more aware of how different emotions live in our bodies, we begin to truly see and love ourselves in a profound and healthy way. This love builds the solid foundation for natural changes to happen.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a problem focused and action oriented form of therapy. It aims at identifying problems and practicing solutions to modify undesirable behaviors and/or thinking patterns. This approach is
particularly effective in helping children and clients with OCD tendencies. Depending on your preference and goals, we are able to provide a structured framework with concrete tools such as homework, in session exercises, etc.
Psychodynamic Therapy
In short, psychodynamic therapy is a modern version of psychoanalysis. The therapist serves less like a "blank screen" but more as a real person that can relate to you. With this approach, you will be supported to express current emotions as well as earlier important life events. Through exploration, you may start to see how past unresolved internal conflicts affect your present life. These insights are likely to greatly inform your personal growth, and the therapist will be your witness and cheerleader.
