Meet Chong

I’m delighted to meet you!

If you’ve ever felt like it’s hard to find someone who truly listens and understands -- like your feelings are brushed aside or the advice you receive just doesn’t fit -- you’re not alone!

I’m Chong, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and the founder of Balanced Within Counseling. I specialize in helping Asian Americans individuals manage depression and anxiety, perfectionism, ADHD-related challenges, career stress, burnout, complex interpersonal relationships, and personal growth challenges.

My Services Include:

Online Individual, Couples & Family Therapy

Online & In-Person Therapy Intensives

ADHD Coaching

Psychoeducational Support Groups

Clinical Supervision for Maryland Provisionally Licensed Therapists (LGPC)

A Space Where You Don’t Have to Explain “Why”

Finding a therapist who truly understands your cultural background can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. As an Asian American, you may feel exhausted explaining the weight of family expectations, the cultural stigma around mental health, the silent pressure to achieve, or the unspoken struggles of balancing two cultural identities.

You deserve a therapist who just gets it — someone who recognizes these experiences without needing lengthy explanations. That’s why I’m here — to provide a space where you feel seen, understood, and supported in ways that honor both your cultural heritage and your personal journey.

You might be torn between traditional family values and personal authenticity, feeling stuck and tormented by adverse childhood experiences and toxic family dynamics, struggling with perfectionism, low self-worth, shame, and imposter syndrome or feeling isolated in spaces where you don't see yourself represented.

You don’t have to go through this alone — I provide a culturally affirming space where your experiences are deeply understood. I’m here to meet you exactly where you are and to offer you clarity, compassion and actionable support.

This space is for you — it’s time for different kind of healing!

My Guiding Principles & Approach

Therapy is a journey that takes courage and vulnerability, and I know how overwhelming it can feel to take that first step. That’s why my approach is built on creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can bring your full self — no matter how messy, complicated, or uncertain things may feel.

  • Healing emotional and traumatic wounds is a deeply personal process, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. As I get to know you, I’ll tailor our work together using evidence-based therapy interventions that align with your unique needs and strengths. Therapy isn’t about me giving you all the answers — I trust that you are the expert on your own life. My role is to walk alongside you as a compassionate guide, helping you uncover your own wisdom, resilience, and clarity at your own pace.

  • As a relational therapist, I place tremendous value on the therapeutic relationship we build together. I encourage open dialogue, honest feedback, and even moments where you challenge me — because therapy is a space where your voice truly matters. Through this work, you’ll have corrective emotional experiences that affirm your worth, help you feel truly seen, and empower you to live a more aligned and fulfilling life.

  • Our conversations will invite your most authentic, raw emotions to the surface, and at times, the insights you gain may surprise you. But through this process, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of yourself and learn practical skills to:

    • Increase mindfulness and emotional awareness

    • Strengthen self-compassion and break free from negative self-talk

    • Set boundaries and build healthier relationships

    • Create meaningful, lasting change aligned with your values

  • Therapy doesn’t have to be all serious, all the time. While we’ll navigate deeply emotional and vulnerable moments, I also believe in the power of humor, authenticity, and connection. My clients often tell me they appreciate my realness — I show up as a fellow human (and a proud ADHDer!), who embraces imperfection, emotions, and quirkiness. You won’t find a distant, blank-slate therapist here! I share, engage, and meet you with warmth, honesty, and presence.

Why I Do This Work

I am a 1.5-generation immigrant from South Korea, and my personal experiences, cultural identity, and professional journey have profoundly shaped both my approach to therapy and my passion for serving others. I founded Balanced Within Counseling (formerly CMC Counseling) to provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed mental health care — with a special focus on Asian American communities, where access to culturally-attuned therapy is often limited, and the complex intersectionality of our identities may not always be truly understood.

Healing Developmental, Relational & Intergenerational Trauma

With over 16 years of clinical experience, I specialize in helping individuals heal from:

  • Developmental trauma – Early life experiences that shape self-perception and emotional resilience

  • Relational trauma – Struggles with trust, attachment wounds, and unhealthy relationship patterns

  • Intergenerational trauma – The inherited impact of family history, cultural expectations, and past hardships

These wounds often manifest as emotional overwhelm, rigid beliefs, identity struggles, relationship conflicts, and difficulty navigating life transitions. But healing is possible.

Helping You Reconnect, Find Balance & Thrive

At its core, my work is about helping you untangle the emotional threads of your past, reconnect with your authentic self, and build a life that feels balanced, fulfilling, and aligned with your values. Whether you’re seeking therapy for trauma recovery, cultural identity struggles, family conflict, or personal growth,

I am here to walk alongside you with compassion and deep understanding.

Credentials & Clinical Experience

    • Maryland License: LC4759

    • Virginia License: 0701011514

    • M.S. in Counseling Psychology: Loyola University, Maryland

    • Maryland Board-Approved Clinical Supervisor

    • Nature-Informed Therapy Certification

    • Internal Family System Online Circle (in process)

    • Suicide Risk Assessment & Prevention

    • Infertility Counseling 10-Month Training Group

    • Continuing Education in various trauma-focused training:

      neurobiology

      attachment theory

      somatic-based and embodiment approaches

      mindfulness-based self-compassion

      adoption trauma

    • Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)

    • American Psychological Association (APA)

See how your healing journey can be different with me.