About Me
Background and Beliefs
A LITTLE PERSONAL NOTE
Hello and thank you for visiting my website. On a little bit more personal note, my name is Hsiu-Hui Chen (陳秀慧), it was given to me by my grandmother. Hsiu （秀）means gentle and Hui （慧） means wisdom. My work as a psychologist calls me to keep moving and becoming what my grandmother wanted me to be, empathic in heart and deliberative in mind.
MY PHILOSOPHY
As a feminist psychologist, I aspire to support the systemically marginalized people by using the power and the privilege I hold. I try to understand people's experiences through the interactions between them and the world. For example, I think about how queer Asians navigate culture, family, and identity. I try to empower each individual/group to explore their internal and external resources toward liberation.
I believe my core values are not something that can be turned on in the office and left at work; it is something rooted in me. In my personal life, the most frequent practice is observing, reflecting, and taking intentional actions. The observation of societal phenomena, operation of different systems, and each social interaction help me to understand the nuances of oppression.
The journey of becoming a social justice advocate is a humbling one. I still catch myself making mistakes. Each mistake is a reminder for more devotion in this path internally and externally. Since the nature of social justice is about people and relationships, only through my own personal work, can I be a better agent of social justice.
MY GOALS
I have a goal as a psychologist and as a human being. I want to contribute to the liberation of people who experience oppression by the system. This work can start from building our connections. If you are interested in working with me or learning about my work, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Experiences and Specialties
CREDENTIALS
I am a bilingual psychologist, licensed in Pennsylvania and credentialed through PSYPACT, which allows me to work with clients from participating states. I have been practicing therapy since 2008. I center my work within the BIPOC communities, with particular focus on Asian, Black, and immigrant communities.
THERAPY APPROACH
Approaching therapy, which has been historically defined by the White medical system, can feel uncomfortable for people from non-White communities. We are more familiar with talking about our issues in barber shops, hair salons, grocery stores, or even talking with fortune tellers. Whether in individual therapy or relational therapy, I hold space for the ways that personal pain and systemic cultural experiences are intertwined. My work often touches on trauma recovery, healing from oppression, identity development, loss, grief, and relationships — not as separate issues, but as threads in the same story.
CONSULTATION for ORGANIZATION
Organizations often want to do equity work but aren't always sure where to start, or how to sustain it beyond a single training. I partner with schools, colleges, and small businesses to build that capacity, through workshops, presentation series, and facilitation of difficult dialogues, with a focus on making the conversations both honest and generative. This work is rarely linear. Organizational change means confronting structures and histories that are deeply embedded, and I see my role as helping you navigate that complexity with honesty and intention.
INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATION
Individual consultation/supervision is one of my specialty areas. My value to supervision stems from my desire to pave the way forward in the field. I started providing supervision in 2009. I am also experienced in providing supervision for therapists who provide culturally responsive bilingual therapy. There are layers of complexity in bilingual therapy beyond simply translating languages. Based on my research and clinical experiences, I am always excited to engage in the discussion about the nuance of bilingual therapy. At this time, I provide supervision for licensed clinicians.
WORKSHOP STYLE
Attending workshops is a way you can find out different paths to connecting with ourselves and others. Through the content of the workshop, you will be provided ways to expand your understanding of self, others, and context. You will also have the opportunities to put those new understandings into practice in a facilitated environment. My workshops generally fall into two areas: cultural affirmative mental health and cultural changes rooted in equity.
If you are interested in working with me or learning more about my work, I would love to hear from you.
