About Zitong Li
Clientele seen
Young adults (18-24)
Couples
Adults (25-64)
Families
Individuals
Treatment approaches
EMDR
Psychodynamic
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Dialectical (DBT)
Culturally Sensitive
Identity
Gender
FemaleLanguages spoken
Chinese (Mandarin), English
Getting to know Zitong Li
I'm Zitong Li, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) holding an independent practice license in New York State, license number 101582. I trained in the Clinical Social Work master's program at Columbia University and completed my clinical internship at Manhattan Psychiatric Center- inpatient Unit. After graduating, I practiced for 4+ years at a community counseling center in Brooklyn, New York, accumulating over 4,000 hours of clinical counseling and therapy. I also hold Columbia University's SIFI (Seminar in Field Instruction) certification, with over 200 hours of supervision experience. I currently offer services in both Mandarin and English.
About how I understand counseling:
Counseling is a process of helping people help themselves—a collaborative relationship between you and me.
You are the expert on your own life. I serve as a professional observer and companion, helping you explore difficulties that may arise from internal patterns or external circumstances.
Also, sounseling cannot solve all of life's problems within a single hour; self-exploration is often a long-term process.
The counseling time is entirely yours to use. At times we may encounter silence or moments of "not knowing what to say," and this, too, is part of the work.
In our sessions, I may invite you to reflect on questions like:
1.What do you hope to gain from me in this supportive relationship?
2.What brought you to counseling?
3. What are your expectations for this relationship?
I'll be here to explore it alongside you. Counseling itself is just a form; what truly matters is your experience of self-exploration within this relationship.
What should a new client know about working with you?
In the first session, I’ll invite a conversation about what brings you in. I’ll ask about your emotional state, social supports, and relevant history, and I may use screening tools like the GAD-7 or PHQ-9 when helpful. If needed, we’ll also discuss safety and develop a plan together. I believe in being transparent about expectations—what you hope to get from our work and what we can realistically move toward. From there, we’ll identify a few initial directions, though the space is always open to go where it needs to.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
I’ve accompanied clients through high-risk suicidal periods, and I’ve learned that healing sometimes arrives in small, tangible forms. Once, I gave a suicidal client a tiny plant, a piece of one I had been growing. That plant traveled with them in their car to the bridge they would sometimes drive to when they thought about ending their life. Over time, they chose to stand on the ground and feel the life in that plant instead of acting on the urge to disappear. Ethical dilemmas don’t always come with clear answers; sometimes you make the best decision you can in that moment, with the person in front of you.
In the therapy room, I intentionally keep "invisible". I usually don’t wear makeup, I dress simply, and I try to let my own presence recede so the space can be about the client. I also believe that unconditional validation isn’t always the most helpful thing. When there’s a meaningful gap between what you say and what you do, I’ll gently but honestly point it out. That kind of challenge, offered with care, can be a powerful turning point.
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In-network insurances
Aetna
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UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare Oxford
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Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- Columbia University, Master's in Clinical Social Work
NPI number
1033848460
How soon can I make an appointment with Zitong Li?
Generally, Zitong Li has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Zitong Li's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Zitong Li accepting new patients?
Zitong Li generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Zitong Li's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Zitong Li accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Zitong Li is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Zitong Li online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Zitong Li using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Zitong Li work with?
Zitong Li works with Phronetic Psychotherapy LCSW PC.
What are common reasons for patients to see Zitong Li?
Zitong Li frequently sees patients for Depression, New Patient Visit, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Zitong Li on their profile.
What languages does Zitong Li speak?
Zitong Li speaks English and Chinese (Mandarin).