About Dr. Lau

I am a licensed psychologist (NY #019374; DC #1001102; FL #TPPY2010; VA #0810008065) trained in the specialty of Counseling Psychology with close to 20 years of clinical experience.  I received an M.A. degree in Psychology (Marriage and Family Therapy emphasis) from Golden Gate University and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Counseling Psychology (American Psychological Association [APA] accredited) from the University of Notre Dame.  

My clinical and psychotherapy training experience has been in a number of settings including community mental health agencies, schools, and college counseling centers.  I completed my clinical internship at the University of California, Irvine Counseling Center (APA accredited).  

I have over 12 years experience in various academic and administrative positions in at Felician University, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (DC), and Teachers College, Columbia University. In these academic positions, I conducted research and taught graduate students at both the masters and doctoral levels.  I taught a variety of classes including psychological assessment, educational evaluation, counseling skills, and multicultural psychology.  As a Department Chair and Director of Clinical Training, I was involved with the administration and training of doctoral students receiving training to become competent therapists.

Before coming to the U.S. for college and graduate school, I grew up in Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Taiwan.  These experiences inform my interest in cultural and personal identity issues and this is infused throughout my psychotherapy and consulting work.  In addition to English, I am proficient in Mandarin Chinese and can understand 3 other Chinese dialects (Hakka, Hokkien/Taiwanese, and Cantonese).  

My background in clinical practice, graduate teaching, multicultural psychology, and international living has shaped an approach that is both depth-oriented and context-sensitive. I understand people not only through symptoms or diagnoses, but through their relationships, identities, cultural histories, family experiences, and the ways they have learned to adapt. This perspective informs my work with clients seeking greater clarity, emotional freedom, and more satisfying relationships.