Holly Chuang
MA, LCPC, SEP, psychotherapist
Pronouns: She/Her
I am one of Agave Studio's professional counselors and a trauma therapist, training to become a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. In Somatic Experiencing, I facilitate healing by accessing the nervous system and allowing completion of physiological responses. Physiological responses get stuck in the body during a traumatic event or over time as is the case for racial and childhood trauma.
About My Clients
I work with immigrant parents and children of immigrants navigating family conflicts. I am sensitive to both traditional values and modern realities. Mandarin-speaking clients are welcome to speak Mandarin in session while I respond in English. I am also very comfortable with integrating religion or spirituality into our therapeutic work. My experiences have convinced me that denial, grief, and ambiguous loss are all part of growth toward more mature psychological and spiritual stages.
My Background and Approach
I counsel from an attachment-based, psychodynamic, and Rogerian perspective. Rogerian, meaning that I cannot imagine therapy without unconditional positive regard, congruence, and empathy. Psychodynamic, meaning that I use the past to help make sense of the present. And attachment-based, meaning that I connect romantic relationship patterns to secure or insecure attachment styles from early childhood. I am a graduate of Northwestern University’s Master of Arts in Counseling, during which I completed clinical work at Turning Point Behavioral Healthcare Center and The Family Institute. Now at Agave Studio, I see adult individuals, individuals hoping for their relationship with their parents to change, their future to be less lonely, or their anxiety to quiet down. I am honored to journey alongside people who want to grow, allowing what must be deconstructed to be reconstructed. Dismantled to be replaced. Die to be resurrected.
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
I specialize in racial identity development. In May 2021, I presented on Racial Microaggressions and Protective Measures for Asian Americans at Northwestern University's Counseling Capstone Project Conference. In undergrad, I studied race and gender at the University of Michigan and graduated from the Ford School of Public Policy with a focus on social inequality. Clients also seek me out for spiritual guidance. My theological training has ranged from Biblical Studies at Moody Theological Seminary to discourse within the Progressive Asian American Christian (PAAC) community. I worked in full-time support-based ministry before entering the field of mental health. I understand burnout and loneliness in ministry, disillusionment in racial conciliation, and division in religious communities. Therapy can be a space to process the betrayal of narcissistic leadership and the shame that protects its secrecy.
Individual Therapy Rates
I can accept Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and United Healthcare plans in-network.
Aetna, Cigna, and other insurances out-of-network.
Out-of-pocket, the first session is $170, then $150 subsequent sessions.
Call Me Anytime
I would be happy to hear from you about setting an appointment. Feel free to call me anytime—my phone will be on silent in sessions and at night, so do not worry about the time. If I miss your call, please leave a voicemail, and I will be sure to call back.
Tel: 734.489.1940
Email: holly@agavechicago.com