Education & Training:
- PhD in Counseling Psychology: The University of Iowa
- Predoctoral Internship: The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Counseling Center
- Postdoctoral Fellowship: Northwestern University Counseling and Psychological Services (Chicago)
Theoretical Orientation
Dr. Cheng commits to creating a supportive space for clients to enhance care for themselves and their communities, to engage in self-exploration, and to balance wellness. Through queer, feminist, and anti-oppressive lenses, she strives to empower clients to be mindful of the sociocultural impacts on our self-narratives. Dr. Cheng works with clients to cultivate self-compassion, resilience, and to strengthen one’s abilities to live fully in line with their values. Changes are facilitated through the integration of culturally responsive evidence-based treatment modalities (such as mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, (Radically Open) Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), honoring client’s whole self and agency, and most importantly, fostering a collaborative therapeutic relationship.
Professional Interests/Expertise Area
Born and raised in Taiwan, Dr. Cheng’s cross-cultural experiences inform her insight and responsiveness for folx relating to cultures different from their own. In addition to offering bilingual (English/Mandarin) individual and group therapy, Dr. Cheng investigates how language and culture shape our identities and the way we interact with the world around us. Dr. Cheng’s expertise includes working with graduate/professional students and international students; treating anxiety, depression, relational concerns, acculturation adjustment and immigration stress; as well as exploring gender and sexuality development, intersecting identities, and untangling the impacts of (multiple) minority stress.