Pao-Yin Huang, Ph.D., LMHCA
Counseling Intern
(Pronouns: She/Her)
Contact information
A Bit About Me
Thank you for being interested in my work and taking the time to learn about it. People might visit this page for different reasons. No matter what brought you here, I would love to welcome you into this space. My name is Pao-Yin Huang. I am originally from Taiwan, an island country in Asia. People refer to Taiwan in different ways. I resonate with “The Island of Resilience” the most. Growing up during a time when democracy, diversity, equity, and inclusion were rapidly advancing in Taiwan, I learned that promoting systemic change requires resilience, patience, and passion.
As a Taiwanese citizen, cisgender woman, currently able-bodied, first-generation college student, member of the Asian international student and Asian community in the US, English learner, and more, I carry a diverse set of identities and unique lived experiences. All these contexts have shaped my calling to bring social justice and anti-oppression into my professional work and engage in advocacy as a counselor.
I received a bachelor’s degree in educational psychology and counseling from National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan in 2018. After graduating, I moved to the US to pursue my master’s degree in Counselor Education at the Pennsylvania State University. Later, I began my journey at the University of Florida and completed my PhD in Counseling and Counselor Education in 2023.
When I am not working, I like to explore different parks, coffee shops, and restaurants and spend time with friends. I have a lot of curiosity about the world and hope to broaden my worldview through immersing in new experiences and connecting with people when I have the capacity. One of my favorite quotes is 一期一會, which originated from the Japanese tea ceremony. It means every experience is“one time, one meeting” — even if the same people are in the same place to do the same activities, experiences cannot be repeated. It teaches us that it is essential to cherish all encounters in the present moment.
For me, counseling is a way to make the world a more inclusive space for individuals with diverse identities. Counseling is also a profound connection between clients and counselors professionally. As a counselor, I am more than privileged to be invited by my clients to have access to their lived experiences and some of their deepest feelings and be able to witness and celebrate their growth. It is paramount for me as a counselor to foster an environment where clients feel that their identities are celebrated and where they can freely express and explore themselves. Critical Race Theory is one of my fundamental beliefs in the world.
I identify feminist and person-centered therapy as my approaches to therapy, and I will integrate cognitive-behavioral-based therapies as needed. The core concept of feminist therapy is to take into consideration the impact of gender, power, and culture on an individual’s life.. Consistent with this lens, I do not see myself as an expert in the room. Instead, clients are the experts in their own lives. I highly value an egalitarian counselor-client relationship. I understand that learning is a lifelong process for both a counselor and a person. Authenticity, transparency, vulnerability, and humor are critical in building rapport with clients in counseling. I believe a strong therapeutic relationship is the key to healing. There might be times when I may challenge you or when our work together may challenge you. I see these challenges as opportunities for both personal growth and relational growth as they foster relationship building.
Thank you for considering the opportunity to share space in counseling with me. I am fluent in Mandarin (native), proficient in English, and conversational in Taiwanese. I am happy to provide counseling in any of these three languages, ensuring that you can communicate comfortably and effectively.
The University of Florida (2023) Ph.D., Counseling and Counselor Education, (CACREP-accredited)
The Pennsylvania State University (2020) (CACREP-accredited) M.Ed., Counselor Education, specialized in secondary school counseling
National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan (2018) B.A., Educational Psychology and Counseling
Seattle University, Seattle, WA
Counseling and Wellness Center at the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Park Forest Middle School, State College, PA
Dr. Edwin L. Herr Clinic at the Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
International Bilingual School at Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu, Taiwan
Areas of Expertise
- Asian and Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) mental health, including Asian international student
- College and graduate students
- Cultural adjustment and immigration
- Impacts of oppression and privilege
- Life transitions and adjustment
- Relational concerns
- Impact of trauma
- Minority identity development
- Feminist and humanistic approach