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Calm has teamed up with Grow Therapy to connect you with a mental health therapist who accepts your health insurance.

Andy Yen

LCSW, 12 years of experience
Warm
Solution oriented
Open-minded
VirtualAvailable

Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience helping people navigate life's complexities. Before becoming a therapist, I spent years working in the technology industry—an experience that taught me the value of bridging innovative solutions with genuine human connection. That balance is exactly why I practice at Grow. My approach to therapy is built on genuine warmth, compassion, and realness. I believe that true transformation happens when you are finally given the space to drop the mask. My intention is to hold a deeply safe, non-judgmental environment where we can explore the barriers holding you back. Together, we will discover new ways to approach your struggles and unlock a more expansive, authentic way of being.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In our first session, my primary focus is to create a safe, welcoming space where you can speak freely. We’ll cover the basics like confidentiality, but more importantly, we will talk about what brought you in and the vision you have for your life. We'll explore your background, clarify your current challenges, and outline a few initial goals that align with your deepest values. My hope is that you leave our first meeting feeling truly heard, understood, and equipped with a clear sense of direction for our work together.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

What Sets My Practice Apart 1. High-Level Attunement & Observation My greatest strength as a therapist is the ability to listen—not just to the words you say, but to the patterns beneath them. With a highly observant and analytical lens, I help you identify the subtle behaviors and beliefs that may be keeping you stuck. This level of attunement ensures that our work is precise, focused, and deeply resonant with your actual lived experience. 2. Radical Authenticity & Ease I believe that the most effective therapy happens when the "clinical mask" is removed. I bring a genuine, down-to-earth presence to every session that makes me easy to talk to and creates an immediate sense of safety. My clients describe me as a reliable and authentic partner in their growth—someone who is kind, yet direct enough to help them see the truth of their situation. 3. A Bridge Between Innovation and Humanity Having spent years in the technology industry before transitioning to my 12+ year career as a therapist, I offer a unique perspective on modern life. I understand the drive for efficiency and innovation, but I also hold a deep, unwavering belief in the healing power of the therapeutic relationship. This allows me to provide a space that is both forward-thinking and profoundly nurturing. 4. Value-Driven Transformation I don’t just help people "cope"; I help them evolve. My strength lies in my ability to take complex emotional struggles and translate them into a clear focus. By aligning our work with your core values, I ensure that the support you receive is not just supportive, but truly transformative.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

Professional Profile: Moving from "Fine" to Flourishing The Gap Between Where You Are and Who You Are Many of my clients come to me because they’ve built a life that looks successful on paper, yet they’ve reached a point where "just getting by" is no longer enough. You might feel a persistent restlessness—a sense that there is a deeper level of purpose, connection, or creativity that you haven’t yet tapped into. Whether you are navigating a significant career pivot, refining your identity, or seeking more authentic relationships, I work with high-capacity individuals who are ready for their next evolution. A Space for Identity and Creative Expression I believe that the stories we tell ourselves—and the ones we create—are powerful windows into our truest potential. I specialize in supporting creative professionals, seekers, and those living "outside the box" who are looking to align their external reality with their inner world. I provide a supportive, non-judgmental container for exploring the nuances of identity, gender, and personal narrative. My goal is to help you dismantle the internal barriers keeping you small so you can stop performing and start living more fully. Grounded Growth and Actionable Insight True growth doesn’t happen by accident; it happens by design. My approach blends deep clinical insight with a practical, systems-based framework. We move beyond immediate crisis-management to focus on expansion, developing the emotional literacy and agency needed to navigate life’s transitions with confidence. If you are looking for a therapist who is as invested in your future potential as you are, I’m here to help you build the framework for a life that feels as expansive as you know it can be.

SpecialtiesTop specialties

Anxiety

Depression

LGBTQ

Other specialties

Anger Management

Career Counseling

Coping Skills

I identify as

Asian / Asian American

Christian

LGBTQ

Man

Pacific Islander

Person of Color (POC)

Serves ages

Adults (18 to 64)

Elders (65 and above)

Licensed in

California

Accepts

Aetna

Location
Virtual
My treatment methods

Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients develop psychological flexibility—the ability to stay present, open, and engaged in meaningful action even in the presence of difficult thoughts and emotions. My approach emphasizes helping clients shift from trying to control or avoid internal experiences to building acceptance and willingness. I guide clients in identifying their core values and use those values to inform goal-setting and behavior change. Interventions often include mindfulness exercises, cognitive defusion techniques to reduce the impact of unhelpful thoughts, and experiential strategies that increase present-moment awareness. I support clients in recognizing patterns of avoidance that may be limiting their lives and work collaboratively to build more adaptive, value-driven behaviors. Throughout treatment, I maintain a compassionate and nonjudgmental stance while encouraging accountability and committed action toward a more meaningful life.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a structured, goal-oriented approach to help clients identify and modify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. I work collaboratively with clients to increase awareness of the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and to challenge cognitive distortions through evidence-based techniques such as cognitive restructuring. I also incorporate behavioral interventions, including activity scheduling, exposure, and skills training, to support meaningful change and reduce avoidance. My approach emphasizes building practical coping strategies, fostering self-efficacy, and helping clients apply these skills in their daily lives to improve overall functioning and emotional well-being.

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

I utilize Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as a structured, evidence-based approach to help clients who struggle with emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, and interpersonal difficulties. My work integrates a balance of acceptance and change—validating clients’ experiences while also guiding them toward more effective behaviors. I use behavioral interventions such as chain analysis to identify patterns and triggers, and I prioritize treatment targets including safety, therapy engagement, and quality-of-life concerns. I actively teach and reinforce DBT skills across mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, with an emphasis on real-world application. Throughout treatment, I maintain a collaborative and accountable therapeutic environment, helping clients build insight, increase emotional resilience, and develop practical tools to navigate challenges more effectively.

Psychodynamic

I use a psychodynamic approach to help clients gain deeper insight into the unconscious patterns that influence their thoughts, emotions, and relationships. My work focuses on exploring how early life experiences and attachment dynamics shape current functioning, particularly in areas such as self-concept, emotional responses, and interpersonal patterns. I attend closely to recurring themes, defenses, and relational dynamics that emerge both in clients’ external relationships and within the therapeutic relationship itself. By increasing awareness of these patterns, I help clients understand the underlying drivers of their behavior and how they may be reenacting past experiences in the present. I provide a reflective and supportive space that encourages exploration, while also offering thoughtful interpretations that promote insight and change. Through this process, clients are able to develop greater self-awareness, improve relational functioning, and make more intentional, adaptive choices.

, 33 ratings

5 ratings with written reviews

February 3, 2026

Andy has been a wonderful therapist so far. He is warm, empathetic, and asks a lot of questions that have been helping me develop insight. He is very knowledgeable about DBT and utilizes skills-based interventions during sessions. He is flexible with scheduling and makes himself available at the very least on a weekly basis. I highly recommend Andy for those who are struggling with emotional dysregulation, issues with distress tolerance, LGBTQ+ concerns, family dynamics, etc.

Verified client, age 35-44
Review shared after session 5 with Andy

November 26, 2025

Andy listened!! Listened and listened Very warm It was very easy to speak to him, I felt very safe out the gate in sharing my feelings. He asks direct questions that makes you think about your feelings around the topic your on gives suggestions or homework I like to call it to apply till the next visit.

Verified client, age 55-64
Review shared after session 1 with Andy

October 17, 2025

Highly recommend! He’s very genuine and warm. Made me feel very comfortable to talk about everything going on in my life.

Verified client, age 35-44
Review shared after session 1 with Andy