Yifan Cao, MS

Yifan Cao, MS

Psychotherapist
NY
4.83
“Very keen on listening and helping me through healing from trauma. I will be back for sure. She’s very kind and helpful, something I truly appreciate.”
Initials hiddenJanuary 29, 2026
Excellent wait time
100% of patients waited less than 30 minutes
New patient appointments
Appointments available for new patients on Zocdoc

Book an appointment on Zocdoc

The office partners with Zocdoc to schedule appointments
External video visit

Scheduling details

  1. See if they are in network

What patients are saying

Overall rating

4.83

Average wait time

5.00

Bedside manner

5.00
“Very keen on listening and helping me through healing from trauma. I will be back for sure. She’s very kind and helpful, something I truly appreciate.”
Initials hiddenJanuary 29, 2026Video visit
“Yifan has been very easy to work with! I always feel heard and encouraged to share more with follow up questions. She has helped me think through issues in my life and grow as a person.”
CLLess than 6 months ago

About Yifan Cao

Focus areas

Anxiety
Client-Centered Therapy
Family Issues
BIPOC Mental Health Issues
Depression
Low Self Esteem
Childhood Trauma
Emotional Disturbance

Clientele seen

Children (<13)
Adults (25-64)
Couples
Teenagers (13-17)
Seniors (65+)
Families
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals

Treatment approaches

Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Compassion Focused
Attachment-based
Culturally Sensitive
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Emotionally Focused

Identity

Gender

Female

Ethnicity

Asian

Languages spoken

Chinese (Mandarin), English

Getting to know Yifan Cao

I am a bilingual (Mandarin-English) mental health counselor passionate about supporting clients through emotional challenges, life transitions, identity exploration, relationship challenges, and self-esteem concerns. My approach is integrative and person-centered, blending evidence-based practices such as CBT, Internal Family Systems (IFS), mindfulness, and creative interventions like art-based activities. I strive to create a safe, supportive, and culturally sensitive space where clients feel understood and empowered to grow.

What should a new client know about working with you?

I see therapy as a collaborative process, you are the expert on your story, and my role is to walk alongside you as a partner. I listen deeply, stay curious, and create space for you to bring your whole self in whatever way feels right. I work in both English and Mandarin and have experience supporting clients from diverse cultural backgrounds, including BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. I believe everyone carries inner strengths, even if they sometimes feel hidden, and together we can uncover and nurture those strengths to support your healing and growth.

What is your typical process for working with clients?

In the beginning, we’ll spend time getting to know each other, exploring your story, and clarifying your goals. From there, we’ll set a direction together, staying flexible as your needs evolve. My style is collaborative and integrative, I often draw on CBT, IFS, mindfulness, and creative interventions to support your unique needs. We’ll also work on deepening self-understanding by exploring emotions, patterns, and relationships. I believe therapy is about building a relationship where you feel safe, understood, and supported, which is an essential foundation for empowerment and compassion toward yourself. Together, we’ll take meaningful steps toward growth and find ways to sustain lasting change.

Is this doctor in your insurance network?

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In-network insurances

Yifan Cao, MS has 100+ in-network plans.
Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Initial session: $100 for 50 minutes
Ongoing session: $100-120 for 50 minutes
  • Sliding scale: Offers lower out-of-pocket fees on an individual basis, typically based on your ability to pay

Popular visit reasons

Hoarding Disorder
New Patient Visit
Pain Management Consultation
Pre-Move In Couples Counseling
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit
Sleep Problems
Young Adult Issues
Hoarding Disorder
New Patient Visit
Pain Management Consultation
Pre-Move In Couples Counseling

Education and background

Practice names

Education and training

  • New York University, Master's in Mental Health Counseling

NPI number

1588548598

Patient reviews

All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
4.83
Wait time
5.00
Bedside manner
5.00
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6 reviews
Most relevant
Very keen on listening and helping me through healing from trauma. I will be back for sure. She’s very kind and helpful, something I truly appreciate.
Video visit
Yifan has been very easy to work with! I always feel heard and encouraged to share more with follow up questions. She has helped me think through issues in my life and grow as a person.
She's very attentive and remembers things from previous sessions that sometimes you yourself, might have forgotten that you said. She helps you try and understand your emotions and where it's stemming from, to help you see your emotinos and the root of it from your current viewpoint as someone who's older or from a different prespective than your usual perspectives. She really tries to help you undrstand your emotion/situation and to come up with plans to prevent or at least, redirect that emotion into something less anxiety-inducing or to help you overcome it. Overall, I would recomment her because she asks questions that really provokes you to think about WHY you're feeling this way, what were the circumstances, etc, she really helps you evaluate and come at your issues/problems form a creative perspective.
I’ve been working with Yifan for a while now, and I’ve made meaningful progress in understanding and improving myself. She’s not only a great listener but also gently offers thoughtful insights and small, actionable steps that help me grow between sessions. I always leave our conversations feeling supported and more grounded. Highly recommend her to anyone seeking a compassionate and insightful therapist.
Video visit
Verified patientVideo visit
Frequently asked questions

How soon can I make an appointment with Yifan Cao?

Generally, Yifan Cao has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Yifan Cao's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.

Is Yifan Cao accepting new patients?

Yifan Cao generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Yifan Cao's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.

Does Yifan Cao accept my insurance?

Choose your insurance plan to verify if Yifan Cao is in-network.

Can I make an appointment with Yifan Cao online?

Yes, you can make an appointment online with Yifan Cao using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.

What practice does Yifan Cao work with?

What are common reasons for patients to see Yifan Cao?

Yifan Cao frequently sees patients for New Patient Visit, Pain Management Consultation, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Yifan Cao on their profile.

What languages does Yifan Cao speak?

Yifan Cao speaks English and Chinese (Mandarin).

How do patients rate Yifan Cao in reviews?

6 patients have reviewed Yifan Cao. The overall rating for this doctor is 4.83/5. They have a 5/5 rating for bedside manner and a 5/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.

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