Guanyu Wang, LMHC, Ph.D. Candidate

I am currently a Postdoctoral Clinical Scholar Fellow at The Family Institute at Northwestern University and a Ph.D. candidate in the Family Social Science program (Couple and Family Therapy track) at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. I provide bilingual (Mandarin and English) therapy for individuals (15+), couples, and families.

My work is grounded in a developmental and existential understanding of people — the belief that we all strive to survive, adapt, and connect. I don’t see defenses as flaws, but as creative strategies that once helped people get through difficult moments and can be reshaped over time. In therapy, I bring a warm, collaborative, and gently direct presence, offering both support and thoughtful challenge. I draw from relational psychodynamic therapy, CBT, EFT, discernment counseling, and mindfulness, helping clients turn insight into meaningful action. I often incorporate art, metaphor, and humor to make exploration feel accessible, and I invite clients to get curious about different parts of themselves and their relationships within their families, communities, and larger systems.

Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of supporting clients from many cultural backgrounds across outpatient clinics, community programs, university counseling centers, and child welfare–involved families. I have a particular passion for working with international students, multi-heritage couples, and immigrant families — communities whose cross-cultural experiences resonate deeply with my own. My clinical specialties include emotion-related concerns (such as depression, anxiety, grief, and loss), self-harm and suicidality, relational stress, intergenerational trauma, and major life transitions.

Office Locations:

Bette D. Harris Center

618 Library Place

Evanston, IL 60201

444 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 30

Chicago, IL 60611

Email: gwang@family-institute.org

Website: https://www.family-institute.org/therapists-locations/therapist/guanyu-wang

Phone: 847-733-4300 ext.4005

Areas of Practice:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Relational stress
• Discernment counseling
• Major life transitions
• Grief, and loss
• Cross-cultural issues
• Self-harm and suicidality

Language(s) Spoken

• English
• Mandarin

Insurance Accepted

• BCBS

• UHC