Mindfulness-based

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

In the state of Oregon, Washington, Utah & Massachusetts

 
 
 

Jiabao Gao

LMHC, LPC, CMHC

Specialties: Depression | Anxiety | Trauma | Communication |

Washington, Oregon, Utah & Massachusetts

He/him

Language: English | Mandarin

Individual Counseling 50 mins • $180

Couples Counseling 50 mins • $180

First Couples Counseling 75 mins • $270

You feel lonely and isolated, despite the fact that you are surrounded by family and friends. You feel no one understands who you really are. You don't feel you belong, and you are disappointed by life or people around you. You long for connection but you don't want to have a compromised relationship where you have to hide a part of you. Some days you just wonder: Am I just unlovable? 

 

You have been carrying a lot of weight on you. Despite many accomplishments, you criticize yourself constantly. You want to take a rest, but your anxiety wouldn't allow you to relax fully. It is hard to breathe sometimes. You feel overwhelmed and exhausted with obligations and responsibilities, but have to keep going. On the other hand, you are scared of being judged or criticized by others. You keep pushing yourself to do better. You wonder: when will it be good enough?

You feel disconnected from your body and feelings. You feel burned out and can no longer carry on. Expressing yourself to others feels challenging. You don't know what to say to get your needs or wants met. It is hard to slow down and reflect on your feelings. You keep ignoring your need, hoping that by pushing through, you will eventually get better. You feel lost and tired despite constantly trying to do your best.

 

You have been worrying whether your relationship with your loved one is not that intimate anymore. Conflict and disagreement happen all the time. You have to be cautious with how you present yourself and communicate with them. You want to express yourself, but you are afraid that they may leave you if you share your vulnerable side. But if you hold back, it feels like you will continue to feel lonely and disconnected.

Hi there, I am Jiabao, Licensed Mental Health Counselor

I am here to help!

I believe that carrying stress and emotions all by oneself is overwhelming, confusing, and can be scary at times.

 

I became a therapist because I found it truly beautiful when witnessing someone being empowered to find their inner strength. As I fought through my own path in the past 15 years, till I built my own family, I understood the unbearable pain when going through so much uncertainty and longing for support. In my work, I provide a safe and compassionate space to unburden yourself, to have a genuine reflection of who you are. Together, in a non-judgmental and authentic relationship, we can explore emotions that deserve to be seen and find your way back to your desired life.

 

A lot of my clients come to therapy asking themselves: 

  • When can I stop being so alone and feel I belong?

  • How can I express my feelings without needing to hide a part of me?

  • How can I slow down and feel good enough with who I am?   

  • Can I really follow my heart to do what I want, instead of fulfilling obligations/responsibilities in life? 

With over a decade of clinical experience, I help by: 

1.    Taming your inner critic and developing self-acceptance and self-compassion.

2.    Guiding you to make sense of your emotion and body sensations.

3.    Empowering you to find your own voice, reclaim your own identity, and feel more fulfilled.

4.    Coaching you to express your need in your relationships.

5.    Processing any roadblocks that stop you from making the connection you want or feeling loved or cared.

I am thrilled to invite you to this journey of transformation. Through our work together you can expect to feel less anxious and more hopeful in your life, becoming more attuned to your emotions and more confident in yourself, and being able to make meaningful relationships with your loved one(s).

Here are some kind words from one of my past clients and

““In my whole life, I had never imagined that I could become so confident in myself like today. I was so anxious, disappointed, and worn-out in my relationship a year ago. But now I start to love myself and feel hope again. I no longer have fear of being genuine in my relationship. I have the agency of expressing myself and pursuing what I want.

 Thank you for letting me see the part of me that I used to dislike and want to avoid or even get rid of. I started to appreciate myself, and to not in fear of my own emotions. I understand that anger can be useful and not always terrifying. I felt seen and accept by you and I have learned how to do that to myself.

Your clients will be so lucky to work with you as I have been.

Professional Background:

Services

Individual Counseling

Couples Counseling

We help couples shift from distress and distance to openness and connection. We help couples prepare for the ups and downs of life so that they can feel more confident with what life brings.

Telehealth

We are pleased to offer our individual and couples counseling services via a secure, HIPAA compliant platform to support individuals and couples on the go while helping people build genuine connections and live a fulfilling life.

Interested in learning more? Come say hello!