Our Featured Trauma Therapist in Washington, DC
Christen Yu, LGPCCulturally Responsive Counselor & Holistic EMDR Trauma Therapist in DC
Christen Yu is a trauma-informed and culturally responsive psychotherapist and EMDR therapist providing care for clients in Washington, DC. Her work focuses on trauma recovery, relational distress, and cross-cultural identity development, and she offers bilingual therapy in English and Mandarin within a thoughtful, culturally responsive framework.
Christen Yu, LGPC, specializes in trauma recovery, cross-cultural identity work, EMDR-informed treatment, and relational healing. She works with individuals navigating post-traumatic stress, childhood developmental trauma, domestic violence, racial trauma, and the emotional impact of systemic oppression.
She is currently accepting new clients for virtual therapy throughout DC, accepting CareFirst BCBS and Anthem insurance.
Looking to work with Christen for In-Network EMDR trauma therapy or Culturally Responsive Therapy in DC?
*Book instantly. Consultations are always free.
Christen’s Areas of Clinical Focus
Trauma-Informed & EMDR Therapy in DC
Christen supports clients impacted by complex trauma, including childhood abuse, sexual trauma, domestic violence, and long-standing relational wounds. Her work is grounded in trauma-informed principles that prioritize safety, nervous system regulation, and pacing.
She integrates EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) alongside cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based practices, and relational-cultural theory (RCT) to help clients process traumatic memories, reduce distress, and rebuild a sense of agency and stability.
Her approach is thoughtful, collaborative, and tailored to each client’s goals.
Culturally Responsive & Bilingual Therapy (English & Mandarin)
As a bilingual Asian therapist with lived experience navigating multiple cultural contexts, Christen brings a nuanced understanding of intergenerational expectations, bicultural identity, cultural and linguistic awareness and the impact of systemic stressors on mental health to her work. She understands how identity, immigration experiences, family systems, and acculturation stress can shape mental health and relational patterns.
She works with clients navigating:
Cross-cultural identity development
Acculturation stress
Racial trauma and systemic oppression
Intergenerational conflict
Bicultural identity tensions
Christen draws from both professional training and lived experience across cultures to foster trust, safety, and authentic connection. She is especially attuned to the needs of Asian, immigrant, and other BIPOC clients seeking culturally attuned and affirming care.
Therapy for College Students & Young Adults in DC
Through her training at a college counseling center, Christen has developed a strong interest in supporting college students and young adults navigating:
Identity exploration
Anxiety and depression
Relationship challenges
Academic stress and burnout
Major life transitions
Her work supports clients during formative seasons of growth and self-discovery.
Relational Distress & Abuse Recovery
Christen works with individuals impacted by relational distress, emotional abuse, and domestic violence. She offers a space where clients can process harmful dynamics, rebuild self-trust, and strengthen healthy boundaries.
Her approach emphasizes empowerment, clarity, and emotional insight.
Neurodiversity-Affirming & Person-Centered Care
Christen takes an eclectic, person-centered approach that honors each client’s strengths, needs, and pace. She integrates:
EMDR-informed trauma processing
CBT strategies
Mindfulness-based tools
Solution-focused interventions
Relational-cultural theory
Clients often describe her as warm, attentive, and deeply thoughtful.
What It’s Like to Work With Christen
Clients often describe Christen as warm, thoughtful, and deeply attentive. She brings a steady, grounded presence to sessions and works at a pace that feels supportive rather than overwhelming.
Her approach is collaborative and individualized. Christen meets clients where they are, tailoring therapy to their unique goals, strengths, and lived experiences. She balances clinical structure with emotional attunement — helping clients process trauma, explore identity, and build practical tools for managing anxiety, depression, and relational stress.
As a BIPOC therapist, Christen is especially mindful of cultural nuance, family systems, and the impact of systemic stressors. She creates space for Asian, immigrant, and other clients of color to explore identity and feel understood not just clinically, but culturally. She offers therapy in both English and Mandarin, bringing linguistic and cultural awareness into the therapeutic relationship.
Education & Credentials
M.S.Ed. in Counseling — University of Pennsylvania
M.Phil.Ed. in Counseling — University of Pennsylvania
Clinical training in a community mental health agency serving individuals impacted by complex trauma
Clinical experience in a college counseling center supporting students navigating identity development, anxiety, and relational challenges
Active involvement in research within the field of clinical psychology
Bilingual therapist fluent in Mandarin and English
Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) in District of Columbia
Location & Availability: Culturally Responsive Therapy & EMDR in DC
Christen provides in-person and virtual therapy in Washington, DC.
She is currently accepting new clients.
Accepts CareFirst BCBS, Anthem, and sliding scale fee (based on availability).
*Book instantly. Consultations are always free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Christen accepting new clients in Washington, DC?
Yes. Christen is currently accepting new clients for in-person and virtual therapy in Washington, DC. She works with individuals navigating trauma, relational distress, cross-cultural identity development, anxiety, and life transitions. In-person sessions are held at our Dupont Circle office, with virtual sessions available for DC residents. You can book a free consultation with her to get started here.
Does Christen offer in-person therapy in DC?
Yes. Christen offers both in-person and virtual therapy sessions for clients located in Washington, DC.
Our office is located at 1250 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036, conveniently situated one block from the south entrance of the Dupont Circle Metro station. The building is easily accessible by public transportation, and there are nearby parking garages as well as street parking options for those driving to sessions.
Does Christen offer EMDR therapy in Washington, DC?
Yes. Christen has specialized training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and integrates EMDR therapy as part of her trauma-focused work within a culturally responsive framework. She ensures that the pace and structure of treatment feel safe, collaborative, and grounded.
EMDR is an evidence-based approach used to help clients process traumatic memories, reduce distress, and build greater emotional stability and resilience.
What is EMDR and who is it good for?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy designed to help individuals process and reduce the emotional impact of traumatic or distressing experiences. Rather than requiring clients to talk through every detail of a memory, EMDR helps the brain reprocess experiences in a way that reduces their intensity and allows for greater emotional stability.
EMDR can be particularly helpful for individuals who have experienced childhood abuse, sexual trauma, domestic violence, medical trauma, racial trauma, or other overwhelming life events. It is also effective for clients struggling with anxiety, intrusive memories, hypervigilance, or long-standing patterns shaped by past experiences.
Christen integrates EMDR within a trauma-informed and culturally responsive framework, ensuring that treatment feels paced, collaborative, and grounded in safety.
Does Christen offer EMDR therapy in Mandarin?
Yes. Christen provides bilingual EMDR therapy in both Mandarin and English for clients located in Washington, DC.
Does Christen work with college students?
Yes. Christen has experience supporting college students and young adults navigating identity development, anxiety, depression, relational challenges, and major life transitions. She understands that this stage of life can bring both growth and overwhelm, and she works collaboratively to help students build emotional insight and practical coping tools.
Christen also recognizes that affordability is often an important factor for students. She currently accepts CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, and sliding scale options may be available when openings permit.
What types of concerns does Christen help with?
Christen supports clients navigating post-traumatic stress, developmental trauma, relational distress, domestic violence, cross-cultural identity challenges, acculturation stress, anxiety, depression, and major life transitions. She also works with college students and young adults exploring identity, belonging, and relational patterns.
Her work is especially attuned to the ways trauma, culture, and systemic stressors intersect, and she strives to create a space where clients feel understood both emotionally and culturally.
