Yaocong Liu

I work in person on Tuesdays and Sundays, and I offer online sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays. Online sessions are conducted via Microsoft Teams.

I have over ten years of experience in psychological counselling and executive coaching and hold a Master’s degree from the University of Oxford. My background includes roles within UK higher education institutions and NHS counselling services, shaping a grounded, relational and evidence informed approach to therapeutic work. I am a bilingual therapist offer English and Mandarin sessions.

Trained primarily in the psychodynamic modality, I work in a depth oriented and relational way while integrating CBT, Internal Family Systems and elements of art therapy according to each person’s unique needs and internal structure. I aim to offer a safe and reflective space where you can process past experiences, regulate emotions more effectively and rebuild a compassionate and coherent sense of self.

I am attentive to how early experiences and family dynamics shape patterns of attachment, identity and emotional responses. My practice is particularly informed by trauma focused work, including childhood trauma, intergenerational trauma, PTSD, and grief and loss. I work with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, emotional regulation difficulties and low self-esteem, supporting them in developing greater stability, resilience and self-understanding. In addition, I have significant experience supporting clients navigating cross cultural identity, belonging and living across multiple social and cultural contexts.

As human beings, we are born to connect; therefore, wounds formed in relationships can also be healed through a trusting and supportive therapeutic relationship, in which, judgement can give way to curiosity, self compassion can grow and meaningful change can emerge from within.

I see therapy as an exploratory and collaborative process, a space where meaning can emerge safely, where patterns can be understood with compassion and where genuine internal transformation can take place. I would be honoured to walk alongside you in this journey.

I work in an interactive, curious and collaborative way. I integrate different approaches such as psychodynamic,  Internal Family Systems, CBT, colour and creative work, cards, music, games and family or ancestry mapping to support our sessions when helpful. I believe therapy does not always have to be purely verbal. Sometimes insight emerges through creativity, symbolism and embodied experience.

Working with me is exploratory and at times playful. I see therapy as a shared journey. It can feel like we are driving a car together — you choose the destination, and we travel at a pace that feels right for you. Along the way, we notice the scenery, acknowledge what appears, and gently explore what it means. Sometimes we may pause, reflect, or simply sit with what is present before continuing. There is no judgement, only curiosity and shared experience.

My role is not to drive for you, but to accompany you, and helping you feel safer, clearer and more grounded as we move forward together.

After you get in touch, we will arrange a free 15 minute pre consultation call. This is an opportunity for us to briefly connect, for me to understand what brings you to therapy, and for you to ask any initial questions. Following this, we can arrange a formal first session if you feel comfortable to proceed.

Before the first session, you will be sent an assessment form to complete. This helps me gain a better understanding of your background and current concerns in advance. Please note that any information you provide will be treated as confidential. The assessment is not for clinical diagnosis and is used solely to support our counselling work.

During the first session, we will spend time exploring your story in more depth. We will talk about what has brought you to counselling, what you hope to gain from it, and what you would like to work towards. We will also briefly go through the counselling contract to ensure clarity and shared understanding.

After the session, you can take time to decide whether you would like to continue working with me. The first session lasts 50 minutes and is charged at the full rate of £95.