About Dr. Yaliu He

FOUNDER

Dr. Yaliu He (she, her)

Welcome! I’m so glad you found your way here.

I understand that reaching out for help can be a big step, and I want you to know that you’re not alone on this journey. Whether you’re struggling with relationship challenges, or seeking support for your teen or young adult, I’m here to offer a safe, compassionate space where you can be heard, understood, and guided.

A Little About Me
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an Associate Professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy Department at Iona University, where I’ve had the privilege of training more than a hundred aspiring therapists. I am an AAMFT Clinical Member and an Approved Supervisor. I earned my Master’s in Applied Psychology from Tsinghua University and received my Ph.D. in Family Science from the University of Minnesota.

Following that, I completed a two-year postdoc at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, where I became a Master Trainer in Integrative Systemic Therapy—an approach developed there. My book, Integrative Systemic Supervision: Training Therapists to Work with Individuals, Couples, and Families, is published in 2025. It provides a comprehensive guide to applying Integrative Systemic Therapy (IST) principles in clinical supervision and training. It offers a solution to the challenges therapists face when integrating diverse therapeutic models.

How I Can Help
Over the past 15 years, I’ve worked with couples facing a wide range of challenges—communication issues, infidelity, mistrust, financial stress, high conflict, intimacy concerns, parenting differences, interracial and LGBTQ+ dynamics, and major life transitions like marriage, divorce, and empty nesting. I’m inspired by couples who work hard to reconnect and also respect those who choose to separate after giving their relationship every effort.

I also work closely with adolescents and their parents during this critical stage of development. Adolescence is an exciting time of identity formation and increased independence, but it’s also when many mental health issues emerge. I firmly believe in prevention, and any intervention at this stage serves the purpose of supporting healthy adult development. Through adolescent therapy, I’m passionate about helping adolescents develop effective coping strategies and strengthen their social support systems, including deeper connections with peers and parents. I also support families in breaking negative cycles and building resilience through family therapy that fosters healing and connection for every family member.

My Therapeutic Approach
My style is warm, empathic and optimistic. I believe in the power of collaboration, working with you to identify areas for growth and change, whether that’s within yourself or your relationships. Many people worry that therapy is just being listened to with no real guidance. That’s not how I work. I’ll actively guide you, helping you build resilience, coping skills, empathy, and stronger connection. 

I practice Integrative Systemic Therapy, which combines various therapeutic methods to best meet your unique needs. This approach allows me to be flexible, drawing from different strategies to help you find what works. Depending on your needs, the intervention strategies vary from cognitive and behavioral changes, to greater level of experiencing and expressing feelings, to a deep delve into your family of origin and past trauma. If one method doesn’t seem to resonate, I’ll try another until we find the right fit for you. In addition to my upcoming book, I’ve written several journal articles on Integrative Systemic Therapy (see He et al., 2023, He et al., 2022, and He et al., 2021).

Specialized Couple and Family Therapy Training I Have Received

• Emotionally-Focused Therapy (Externship), Jeff Hickey, St. Paul, MN
• Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Levels 1-3), John Gottman & Julie Gottman, Seattle, WA
• Discernment Counseling, William Doherty, St. Paul, MN
• Attachment-based Family Therapy, Guy Diamond & Suzanne Levy, Philadelphia, PA
• Emotion-Focused Family Therapy, Adele Lafrance, Chicago, IL
• Emotion-Focused Therapy Level One, Leslie Greenberg, Chicago, IL
• Structural Family Therapy, Joyce Ma Lai-Chong, Beijing, China

Language & Culture
I’m fluent in both English and Mandarin, and I provide culturally affirming services for clients from diverse backgrounds, including LGBTQ+ clients. I believe it’s important that everyone feels respected, understood, and seen.

A Bit About Me Personally

When I’m not working, I love spending time with my family in nature, exploring the city for fun activities, writing, and traveling.

What’s Next?
If you’d like to learn more about how I can help, please reach out! You can call, text, or email me, or self-schedule a free 15-minute consultation by clicking here. Check Fee and FAQ for more information. I look forward to hearing from you!