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, someone who doesn’t brush aside your feelings or give advices that just don’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 American individuals manage depression, anxiety, perfectionism, identity exploration, ADHD/AuDHD, career stress, burnout, complex interpersonal relationships, and personal growth challenges. I also support parents navigating the challenges of raising a child with ARFID, offering a space for relief, clarity, and renewed strength.
A Space Where You Don’t Have to Explain “Why”
Finding a therapist who truly understands your lived experience can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. I know this firsthand because I share many of these identities and challenges myself. As an Asian American, I’ve felt the weight of family expectations, cultural stigma, and the pressure to achieve while balancing two cultural identities. As an AuDHDer, I know what it’s like to navigate a world not built for the way my brain works. And as a parent of a child with ARFID, I’ve lived the exhaustion and isolation of a struggle that is so often misunderstood.
You deserve a therapist who doesn’t need long explanations — someone who can relate to your experiences because they share them, yet still listens with openness to the ways your story is uniquely your own. That’s why I’m here: to provide a space where your culture, your neurodivergence, and your parenting journey are honored, understood, and supported.
You might feel torn between traditional family values and personal authenticity, weighed down by adverse childhood experiences or toxic family dynamics, caught in cycles of perfectionism, low self-worth, shame, or imposter syndrome, or feeling isolated in spaces where you rarely see yourself represented.
You don’t have to carry this alone. I provide a culturally affirming space where your experiences are met with both understanding and compassion. Together, we’ll create clarity and support that is not only validating but also practical and actionable.
See how your healing journey can be different with me.
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.
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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, because 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.
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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.
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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
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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 and how I show up as a fellow human (and a proud AuDHDer!), who embraces imperfection, complicated 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. My goal is to offer a space where you don’t need to explain or translate your lived experiences before being 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 Experiences
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Maryland License: LC4759
Virginia License: 0701011514
M.S. in Counseling Psychology: Loyola University, Maryland
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Maryland Board-Approved Clinical Supervisor
Nature-Informed Therapy Certification
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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
trauma-informed modalities
neurodivergence-affirming care
somatic-based and embodiment approaches
mindfulness-based self-compassion
adoption trauma
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Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)
American Psychological Association (APA)