Licensed to practice in 4 states and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Self Esteem, Trauma and PTSD and 3 more.
New to Grow
Dr. Celena S. Chong views therapy as a journey toward self-actualization. She works from solution-focused, evidence-based approaches to help clients gain new perspectives and access their inner strengths. Her approach is assertive yet warm, helping clients consciously notice defense mechanisms so they can make intentional choices. I am a licensed clinical therapist with a doctoral degree from NYU and a master’s degree from Columbia University. I provide therapy in multiple states, including MA, NJ, NY, VA, and FL. I have extensive experience offering individual psychotherapy to adults experiencing anxiety and depression, borderline personality disorder, CPTSD, and addiction disorders. My passion is helping others find meaning and fulfillment in their lives through therapy grounded in the principles of restorative justice.
My sessions are semi-structured, designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for exploring your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Together, we’ll work to identify and address unhelpful patterns that may feel habitual or deeply rooted. To support your growth, I incorporate homework and educational resources, encouraging active engagement beyond our sessions. Breaking these cycles can be challenging, but by integrating approaches such as attachment theory, CBT, and mindfulness, we’ll work toward empowering you to regain control and build a more fulfilling life. My therapeutic style emphasizes creativity and intentional decision-making, helping you navigate change with confidence.
Growing up in a multicultural environment with immigrant parents from a lower economic background shaped my journey toward becoming a therapist. My personal experiences with racism, poverty, and navigating a bi-cultural identity have deeply influenced my approach to supporting others. From a young age, I understood the profound impact of therapy as a safe space for self-exploration, meaningful dialogue, and the development of coping skills. We will work together to explore your thoughts and behaviors, uncover underlying traumas if they exist, and reflect on how your upbringing has influenced your current experiences and patterns. I aim to help you foster growth, resilience, and adaptability as you navigate life’s challenges.
I am best positioned to work with adults who feel stuck in recurring emotional or relationship patterns and are ready to gain a deeper understanding of themselves. Many of my clients struggle with anxiety, depression, life transitions, low self-esteem, perfectionism, people-pleasing, emotional overwhelm, or difficulties in relationships. They often recognize that they want things to change but are unsure how to break long-standing patterns. I also work with individuals navigating attachment concerns, childhood or relational trauma, identity development, work-related stress, burnout, and major life decisions. My clients are typically motivated for growth and appreciate a balance of warmth, honesty, and practical guidance. They value a therapist who will actively engage in the process, provide insight, and gently challenge unhelpful beliefs while creating a safe, supportive space. My therapeutic approach is solution-focused, evidence-based, and insight-oriented. Together, we identify the underlying patterns that keep clients feeling stuck, strengthen emotional awareness and coping skills, and develop meaningful, sustainable changes that align with their values. Whether a client's goal is to improve relationships, build confidence, manage difficult emotions, heal from past experiences, or create a more fulfilling life, I tailor treatment to meet their unique needs and help them move toward lasting personal growth.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Here's a polished description you can use: I use **Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)** to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we identify unhelpful thinking patterns and beliefs that contribute to emotional distress, then develop healthier, more balanced ways of interpreting situations. Through practical strategies and skill-building, clients learn to manage anxiety, depression, stress, and other challenges more effectively. My approach to CBT is collaborative and individualized. Rather than simply changing negative thoughts, I help clients understand where these patterns developed, recognize how they influence daily life, and practice new ways of responding. Sessions often include identifying cognitive distortions, developing coping strategies, improving problem-solving skills, practicing behavioral changes, and reinforcing techniques that clients can apply between sessions. My goal is to equip clients with practical tools that promote lasting emotional resilience and empower them to become their own therapist over time.