Silvia Fang
AMFT #149138
Supervised by Jalene Salus, MFT #45363
silvia@mcaft.com
650-297-3400 x 16
Locations: Los Altos, San Jose & Telehealth
Fee: $170
Areas of Focus:
Languages: English, Mandarin-Chinese
Adults: Anxiety, Grief & Loss, Trauma, Depression, Life Transitions, Performance Anxiety, Sports Performance, Burnout/Workplace Stress, Eating Disorders, OCD, Identity and Self-Esteem, Immigration and Acculturation, East Asian and BIPOC Experiences, Meaning & Purpose, Couples Issues (Communication, Infidelity, Intimacy), Supporting Parents of Anxious Children, Teens & Young Adults
Children / Teens: Anxiety, Grief & Loss, Trauma, Academic & Athletic Stress, Depression, Eating Disorders, Body Focused Repetitive Behavior (Nail-Biting, Skin-Picking, Hair-Pulling), OCD, Peer Challenges, Panic and Phobias, Perfectionism, Identity and Self-Esteem Exploration, Immigration and Acculturation
Modalities: Trauma Informed, Attachment-Based Psychodynamic Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Somatic Therapy, CBT/DBT, Family Systems, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Existential Psychotherapy, Hypnotherapy, Expressive Arts and Play Therapy for Children.
Overall Description: I believe that change is inspired by clarity, awareness, and insight. There is a reason why we think and feel the way we do, and I hope to help my clients get to the root of their problems. Sometimes, our internal resources can't meet the demands of the external environment, no matter how hard we try. When our pain and history chase us like a bear, I want to invite people into a safe space where they can turn around and talk to it, while respecting and honoring their own timeline and readiness.
I believe that people have choices, even during the most difficult times of their lives. Sometimes, the feeling of being stuck can mask our inner wisdom and power. I want to help my clients access their true selves, listen to their needs and desires, and make conscious choices. I view my clients as the experts of their own stories– with compassionate presence and attuned guidance, we all have the capacity to unearth the answers from within.
I believe that real change happens at the experiential level, within a relationship. To achieve something new, we first need to sample the experience by saying, hearing, tasting, and embodying it in a safe environment, alongside another human being. With radical acceptance, authenticity, and professionalism, I strive to create a stable container that inspires healing and organic growth, helping my clients connect more deeply with their feelings and sensations.
Experience: I have a wealth of experience working with children, teens, and adults whose grief is complicated by traumatic experiences, anxiety, depression, and other challenges. My calling to support the bereaved community has given me the capacity to sit with people in their pain and has deepened my reverence for life and humanity. I am also passionate about supporting students, teens, and young adults with their academic, athletic, and career goals. My experience as a student mentor and counseling program manager gave me the opportunity to work with a wide array of students, including high-achievers who put a tremendous amount of pressure on themselves, seekers who feel lost and detached from their passions and gifts, and fighters who are doing their best to navigate through disadvantages and struggles.
Previously, I worked as a teacher, journalist, and policy analyst. I took a detour before landing in psychotherapy, but it was a journey worth taking. Being an educator has honed my ability to deliver knowledge and explain concepts in simple, understandable ways. Journalism has given me the capacity for perspective-taking and empathetic listening, always in service of the other side of the conversation. Additionally, my academic background in Public Affairs has fueled my dedication to social justice and has helped me maintain a balance between emotional attunement and logical thinking. I find these diverse experiences continue to be invaluable resources for both my practice and personal life.
Education and Training
- Santa Clara University, MA in Counseling Psychology
- Brown University, Master of Public Affairs
- Tsinghua University, BA in Journalism and Communication, BS in Psychology