About Dr. Michael Lau
Clientele seen
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Adults (25-64)
Couples
Seniors (65+)
Treatment approaches
Culturally Sensitive
Psychodynamic
Emotionally Focused
Relational
Multicultural
Trauma Focused
Identity
Gender
MaleSexuality
GayEthnicity
Asian
Languages spoken
Chinese (Mandarin), English
Getting to know Dr. Michael Lau
I am a licensed psychologist with over 15 years of clinical experience working with adults. I often work with professionals, LGBTQ+ clients, and people with multicultural, international, or third-culture backgrounds who may feel stressed, lonely, self-critical, or stuck in patterns they do not fully understand—even when others see them as capable or put-together.
My approach to therapy is thoughtful, collaborative, and in-depth. I draw primarily from psychodynamic and relational approaches, while also incorporating trauma-informed, multicultural, and evidence-based perspectives. This means that we can address the concerns that are affecting you now while also looking more closely at the emotional, relational, family, and cultural experiences that may be shaping them.
You may come to therapy with clear goals, such as improving a relationship, managing stress or anxiety, working through a life transition, or feeling more confident in yourself. Or you may simply have a sense that something is not quite right and want help understanding why. Therapy can be both practical and exploratory, helping you find relief while also developing a deeper understanding of yourself and more freedom in how you relate to others.
Before entering full-time private practice, I spent more than a decade teaching and training graduate students in counseling and clinical psychology. That background continues to shape the way I think about therapy, particularly my attention to identity, culture, relationships, and the broader context of a person’s life.
What should a new client know about working with you?
I tend to be active, thoughtful, and collaborative in sessions. I will listen closely, ask questions, and help you notice patterns in how you think, feel, and relate to other people. I am not a therapist who simply sits back and says very little, but I also do not approach therapy as a set of worksheets or techniques.
My work is primarily psychodynamic and relational, which means we pay attention both to what is happening in your life now and to the experiences and relationship patterns that may be shaping it. I also draw from trauma-informed, multicultural, and evidence-based approaches depending on what is most useful for you.
At the beginning of therapy, I usually meet with clients weekly. This helps us build continuity, understand what is bringing you in, and develop a clearer sense of what would be most helpful. Over time, therapy may become more focused on particular goals, or it may deepen into a broader process of understanding yourself and making changes that feel more lasting.
You do not need to arrive with everything figured out. Some clients come in knowing exactly what they want to work on, while others simply know that something feels off. Part of the work can be figuring that out together.
Dr. Michael Lau is not in-network with any insurances
It’s common for mental health providers to be out-of-network. Many insurance plans offer out-of-network coverage, so you may get partially reimbursed. Learn more
More information on payments and coverage
I am an out-of-network provider and do not bill commercial insurance plans directly. Clients pay for sessions at the time of service. If your plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits, I can provide a superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
Coverage varies significantly by plan, so I encourage clients to check their out-of-network benefits, deductible, coinsurance, and reimbursement rate directly with their insurer. I am happy to answer questions about this process during an initial consultation.
I also work with some employer-sponsored mental health benefits, including Lyra and Modern Health, when eligibility and coverage apply. A limited number of reduced-fee arrangements may be available depending on circumstances and availability.
Popular visit reasons
Agoraphobia
Pain Management Consultation
Pediatric Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Psychiatry Consultation
Psychosexual Evaluation
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit
Sleep Problems
Agoraphobia
Pain Management Consultation
Pediatric Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Psychiatry Consultation
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- University of Notre Dame, Doctor of Psychology
Professional memberships
- American Psychological Association
Awards and publications
- Carter, R. T., Lau, M. Y., Johnson, V. E., & Kirkinis, K. (2017). Racial discrimination and health outcomes among racial/ethnic minorities: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 45, 232-259.
- Hill, J. S., Lau, M. Y., & Sue, D. W. (2010). Integrating trauma psychology and cultural psychology: Indigenous perspectives on theory, research and practice. Traumatology [Special Issue: Culture and Trauma], 16, 39-47.
- Lau, M. Y., Chen, Y., Huang, J., & Miville, M. L. (2013). Gender roles among Asian/Asian American men. In M. L. Miville (Ed.), Multicultural gender roles: Applications for Mental Health and Education (pp. 169-206). New York: Wiley.
- Lau, M. Y. (2021). The lasting effects of indirect racism. Modern Health Blog. https://www.modernhealth.com/post/indirect-racism-impacts-individuals-and-communities
NPI number
1477800282
How soon can I make an appointment with Dr. Michael Lau?
Generally, Dr. Michael Lau has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Dr. Lau's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Dr. Michael Lau accepting new patients?
Dr. Michael Lau generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Dr. Lau's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Dr. Michael Lau accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Dr. Lau is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Dr. Michael Lau online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Dr. Lau using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Dr. Michael Lau work with?
Dr. Michael Lau works with Michael Y. Lau, Ph.D..
What are common reasons for patients to see Dr. Michael Lau?
Dr. Michael Lau frequently sees patients for Pain Management Consultation, Psychiatry Consultation, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Dr. Michael Lau on their profile.
What languages does Dr. Michael Lau speak?
Dr. Michael Lau speaks Chinese (Mandarin) and English.