In the months following our 2018 October Mental Health issue, we have received a lot of additional info about counselors and resources working to help people and their families navigate important mental health issues in Beijing.
Here’s the most up-to-date list of professionals serving the mental health needs of locals and expats in the capital. All speak English, see adults, and are certified; however please make your own inquiries to determine if they are the right fit for you. Many of these counselors also have online sessions available.
English-speaking Counselors in Beijing
Katie McLeod MA, MRes
McLeod is available on Fridays from 11am-7pm and online Monday and Wednesday mornings. Currently she is seeking certification with CCPA. Flexible with location, McLeod works on a sliding scale. Her degree focus is marriage and family therapy, for adults, adolescence, or couples. RMB 200-800. (WeChat: katiemcleod)
Mike Shook MA
Available on Wednesdays from 12 noon-8.30pm and online Thursday evenings, Shook is a licensed mental health counseling intern in Liangmaqiao, specializing in talking therapy, for all ages, with a focus on boys and men. RMB 200-1,000. (noomawellness.com/meet-mike, WeChat: mshook, mike@noomawellness.com)
Claudia de Llano, M.A., LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)
Located in Chaoyang District, she specializes in multicultural counseling and mindfulness practices. De Llano offers meditation, mindfulness, and mind-body integration through a synthesis of holistic psychological and healing practices. Workshops and individual sessions in private and corporate settings offered pro bono. (claudiamft1@gmail.com)
David Blanco
Adults. Blanco is a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist specializing in individual and group therapy. Through personal development courses, Blanco helps families trying to overcome relationship difficulties or stress issues. His courses are primarily conducted in English and Chinese, but he also is a native Spanish speaker. (WeChat: baidaweiindonesia, davidblanco@qq.com)
Gaëlle Cassier
Cassier is a psychoanalyst with a French clinical psychologist license and Masters. Her sessions can be conducted in either French, English, or Chinese. She specializes in Lacanian psychoanalysis, research in cross-cultural approaches, and psychosis. Contact for fee. (xin-jing.com, 139 1101 0032, gaelle.cassier@xin-jing.com)
Leon Lee
Lee is a certified positive and transcultural psychotherapist, specializing in marriage counseling (English and Chinese). His office is on Chaoyang Road. (WeChat: leonptp, leonlee1985@foxmail.com)
Dr. Theo Cope
Cope works part-time at Raffles Medical clinic and privately. He is competent in a variety of therapeutic methods depending on the needs of the patient and works with individuals, couples, and families suffering from depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, sex and alcohol addictions, relationship challenges, and skill enhancements among others. Contact for private prices; if you are insured, contact Raffles. (WeChat: theo9380)
Dr. Birgit Mathon, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
Mathon is a systemic psychotherapist, with 15 years of experience. She conducts sessions in German and English, and is a part-time counselor at Raffles medical, but also does private sessions on request. She helps with family and relationship issues, trauma, depressions, anxiety, self-esteem, and burnout. (drbirgitmathon.com, WeChat: BirgitMathonBeijing, Skype: dr.birgit.mathon)
Titi Hill, BA, MBACP
Hill conducts sessions for individuals, couples, families, in person, and online. She works weekdays in Shunyi, 798, and Chaoyang. RMB 950-1100. (www.beijingcounselling.com, www.hilldynamics.org, tel. 186 1255 7824, info@beijingcounselling.com, info@hilldynamics.org, skype: hilldynamics)
Hospitals and Organizations
Raffles Medical’s Mental Health and Counseling Services
All ages. Staffed by experienced and internationally trained doctors and counselors, Raffles Medical is available to help you identify problems and provide individualized support. Daily 8am-8pm. Suite 205, Wing 1, Kunsha Bldg, 16 Xinyuanli, Chaoyang District. (6462 9112)
LIH Olivia’s Place
Children. Olivia’s place has the expertise to conduct assessments related to learning problems, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, cognitive impairment, mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression, and challenging behavior. Mon–Fri, 9am-6pm. Sat, 9am-12pm. 13 Jiu Xian Qiao Road, Building 6-1, Second Floor, Chaoyang District. (6461 6283)
BJU’s Psychological Health Center
All ages. They provide consultation, assessment, and treatment for concerns ranging from mood disorders, relationship and parenting issues, loss and bereavement concerns, and educational and developmental needs. United Family New Hope Clinical Center, 9-11 West Jiangtai Road, Chaoyang District. (5927 7067)
The Learning Frontier
Children. Located in Shuangjing, The Learning Frontier is dedicated to providing bilingual, personalized guidance, and support services for children and families residing in Beijing. Their team includes a variety of specialists focusing on mental health, education and learning, applied behavior analysis, and speech and language and occupational therapy to assist children. 4th Floor, No. 11 Dongbai Lu, Chaoyang District. (6775 3268)
Group Support
CandleX
Adults. CandleX offers mental health support, in English, to teenagers and adults living in Beijing. Both expats and Chinese nationals are eligible to receive this support. Their bimonthly support groups conducted in English help to create a community among people struggling with the effects of mental illness. (info@candlex.cn)
Beijing LGBT Center
The Beijing LGBT Center is a non-profit, community-based organization that empowers the Beijing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community by providing social services and organizing advocacy programs. Their work seeks to further the LGBT movement, eliminate discrimination and achieve equality. Rm. 2606, Bldg B, Xintiandi Plaza, 1 Xibahe Nanlu Jia, Chaoyang District. (5903 3730,bjlgbt@gmail.com)
Beijing Mindfulness Centre
The Beijing Mindfulness Centre is dedicated to providing a safe and inspiring environment for learning and growth. They offer various mindfulness-based programs in English, Spanish, and Chinese, and individual coaching to the community. 44 Qian Yongkang Hutong, Dongcheng District. (6403 4923, hello@beijingmindfulness.com)
Lifeline Shanghai
Lifeline Shanghai serves the English-speaking community with free, confidential, and anonymous emotional support via telephone from 10am to 10pm, 365 days of the year. Though they are located in Shanghai, the operators are available to talk to anyone in China. (021 6279 8990)
Alcoholics Anonymous
Click here for more info or call 189 1161 8759.
Food Addiction
Click here for more info.
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