Yuexiao (Mariky) Du

What was your path to becoming a therapist?

My path to becoming a therapist has been driven by curiosity about people and their inner experiences. I honor the complexity and strength of human lives and hope to walk alongside others in their journey through my work.

Working with children and adolescents has shown me the potential that each child and family holds. My experience with individuals facing serious mental health challenges has shaped my view of therapy as not only addressing symptoms, but also supporting people in building the life they want. While recognizing my limits as a therapist in the face of many realities, I believe we all live with challenges, and it is possible to live a life that feels authentic alongside them, depending on how we approach and understand them.

What should someone know about working with you?

I approach therapy as a collaborative process, listening closely to you and inviting you to share your thoughts and feedback along the way. While I draw on various therapy theories and techniques, I also recognize that everyone has their own way of understanding themselves and the world. I work alongside you to explore these perspectives and apply them in your daily life to navigate challenges.

During the intake, I go over logistics, get to know you, introduce myself, discuss potential therapy goals, and see if it feels like a good fit. Beyond that, therapy with me is flexible and creative within boundaries. We can try different approaches to see what works best, including how we work together.

Who is your ideal client?

I like working with diverse clients and learn from each of them. I have experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults from a variety of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, and I’ve often worked with BIPOC and queer clients.

Clients I’ve worked well with come to therapy seeking to understand themselves and hold a space that is entirely their own to navigate external expectations or past experiences and hear their own voice again. Some clients come with specific concerns, such as school, work, or relationships, while others may not know where to start, and together we explore the path forward in therapy.

Are there any aspects of your personal self, therapeutic approach, or viewpoints that might be slightly controversial or challenge norms?

I believe therapy is not only about solving problems. Actually AI can often give very helpful advice or solutions for specific situations. We’ll still face problems together and work through them, but I don’t see you as a problem to fix. I’m here to meet you as a whole person, from the perspective of another whole person. I value the lived experience of therapy and the connection between us.