About Kaining Liu
Clientele seen
Teenagers (13-17)
Seniors (65+)
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Adults (25-64)
Treatment approaches
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Gestalt
Psychodynamic
Person-Centered
Psychoanalytic
Multicultural
Identity
Gender
FemaleLanguages spoken
Chinese (Mandarin), English
Getting to know Kaining Liu
Kaining Liu is a bilingual therapist in New York City, offering psychotherapy in both English and Mandarin. She graduated with an EdM in Psychological Counseling at Columbia University, and a B.A. in Psychology from New York University. She has previous clinical experience at Columbia University / New York State Psychiatric Institute. Kaining primarily works with adults and students and specializes in identity development, perfectionism, relationship concerns, and cultural adjustment.
Her work is grounded in respect for the uniqueness and complexity of each client. She integrates cognitive, relational, and insight-oriented approaches to assist clients to understand themselves more profoundly, identify harmful patterns, and make constructive changes in how they live and relate. Culturally attuned and sensitive to concerns of interest to international and Asian-identifying clients, Kaining works thoughtfully to create a space in which clients can explore, learn, and entertain new possibilities.
Kaining sees therapy as a chance to slow down, look inward, and decide more mindfully. Even when stress or doubt arise, it is possible to cultivate the ability to act in ways that are consistent with personal values and aspirations. Her practice focuses on facilitating this process of choice and clarity—assisting clients in reclaiming a sense of control over their emotional lives and interpersonal relationships.
What should a new client know about working with you?
Kaining approaches therapy as a collaborative and exploratory process. In sessions, she invites clients to consider not just what happened, but also how their feelings, thoughts, and reactions inform and interact with one another. By inviting the clients to look at the patterns that build their internal experience, she supports them in gaining insight into what drives their emotional reactions and behavioral tendencies. From there, she works with clients to view the world and themselves anew—more aligned, flexible, free, and deliberate.
Kaining is particularly skilled at identifying subtle patterns of thinking and behaving that may be the root of feelings of distress or stuckness. She views ambivalence, resistance, or shame not as obstacles, but rather as valuable signals to be deciphered. Her goal is not to rush past discomfort, but to gently work with it—making space for the full, contradictory moments of a client's experience to be considered without judgment. She believes that this depth of reflection is often where authentic transformation often begins.
Clients can expect Kaining to be reflective, compassionate, and fully honest in practice. She offers direct feedback and asks thoughtful questions that support greater self-understanding. She also welcomes differing perspectives and actively invites open dialogue, including disagreement, as part of the collaborative process. Kaining views therapy as a space where two people continually shape a shared understanding—one that evolves through mutual trust, curiosity, and attunement. Meanwhile, she respects the client's pace and values shared decision-making throughout the therapeutic process. Her style is warm, open, and non-authoritarian—based on the idea that therapy is not something done to a person, but something built with them.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
During the typical first few sessions, Kaining focuses on building rapport and exploring the client's presenting problems, personal history, and treatment goals. She does this with interest and focus, creating an open space where clients feel comfortable discussing without being pushed to resolve everything. Her goal is to begin establishing a shared picture of what brings the client into treatment and where they would like to go.
As treatment goes on, sessions begin to examine difficulties in the client's present life as well as habitual emotional or behavioral patterns. Kaining is especially attentive with the "how" and "why" of some responses—asking clients to examine the experiences, assumptions, and beliefs that may be shaping their inner experience. When appropriate, she works with clients to trace these patterns back to early influences, making room to re-examine what still serves them and what no longer does.
As part of client preference and need, Kaining will also employ active strategies such as journaling, open ended reflection prompts, or between-session behavioral experiments. While valuing structure, her style remains fluid and collaborative—never rigid or didactic. Kaining encourages clients to track shifts in affect, identify patterns, and apply such insights in real-life situations so that they gradually build self-knowledge and confidence in their own decision-making. Above all, she believes that therapy should move at the client's pace and always remain responsive to their evolving needs.
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In-network insurances
Aetna
BlueCross BlueShield
Cigna
UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare Oxford
Office location
Kaining Liu, MEd also offers online video visits for patients
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- Columbia University, EdM in Counseling Psychology
- New York University (Bachelor's)
NPI number
1659162253
How soon can I make an appointment with Kaining Liu?
Generally, Kaining Liu has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Kaining Liu's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Kaining Liu accepting new patients?
Kaining Liu generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Kaining Liu's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Kaining Liu accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Kaining Liu is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Kaining Liu online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Kaining Liu using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Kaining Liu work with?
Kaining Liu works with Riverbank Psychotherapy.
Where is Kaining Liu's office located?
Kaining Liu has 2 office locations, including in Smyrna and New York, view full addresses on Kaining Liu's profile.
What are common reasons for patients to see Kaining Liu?
Kaining Liu frequently sees patients for Depression, New Patient Visit, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Kaining Liu on their profile.
What languages does Kaining Liu speak?
Kaining Liu speaks English and Chinese (Mandarin).