Professional Background

I am a licensed psychotherapist in both Mainland China and Hong Kong, with over 4,500 hours of clinical practice as of the end of 2025. I receive weekly personal analysis from analysts of the International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA), and ongoing long-term supervision and training from IPA analysts, clinical supervisors, and certified supervisors within the Chinese national registry system.

• Registered Psychological Therapist, National Health Commission of China
• Member, Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association
• Certified Career Counselor, National Career Development Association (NCDA, USA)

• Master of Psychology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Graduate, Stanford University Positive Psychology Program

Based on my training background, I primarily draw from psychodynamic therapy and person-centered focusing. I work closely with your emotional experience, exploring the psychological dynamics and patterns behind it, and helping you clarify, feel, and express what is within. I also integrate cognitive approaches, mindfulness-based methods, and systemic family therapy to understand how you relate to your family and the broader social world.

I place great importance on the therapeutic relationship. Your thoughts and feelings about me, about therapy, and about our interaction are essential parts of the work and greatly support the therapeutic process.

Individual therapy sessions are 50 minutes (800 RMB) once per week, with the first 2–4 sessions focused on assessment.

During assessment, I learn about your reasons for seeking therapy, the context in which your difficulties arise, your developmental background, and significant relational experiences. I also assess whether therapy feels comfortable for you, whether you can express yourself freely, and what kind of support you hope to receive. Together, we set therapy goals.

I currently do not provide text-based or voice-message-based therapy, as these formats lack essential information necessary for effective clinical work.

If you wish to end therapy, I recommend discussing it 2–3 sessions in advance, so we have time to process the themes of separation and ending.

Couples or family therapy typically requires a longer first session (100 minutes / 1600 RMB), with subsequent sessions lasting 50 minutes.

Sessions are usually conducted every 1–2 weeks, with the first 2–4 sessions focused on assessment. Most couples or family therapy processes range from 8 to 20 sessions.

• Jan–Jul 2021: Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Mental Health Center (Inpatient)
• Jul–Aug 2023: Xiangya Second Hospital, Outpatient Department

• Individual supervision with Sanford Shapiro (Former President, San Diego Psychoanalytic Society; Co-Director, Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis, Los Angeles), 2025.08–present
• Weekly individual supervision with Jane S. Hall (President, New York Freudian Society), 2024.03–2025.07
• Weekly group supervision with Dr. Peichao Zhang, 2023.07–present
• Weekly individual supervision with Liu Shuqin, 2019–present
• Biweekly group supervision with Peter Blake (Author of “Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy”), 2024.04–present
• Biweekly group supervision with Xu Jun, 2023.11–2025.01
• Weekly group supervision with Alan Colam (IPA/BPA Member), 2020.10–2022.03
• Weekly group supervision with Dr. Xiao Wang (Tavistock Centre, UK), 2022.01–2023.07
• Monthly group supervision with Su Xiaobo, 2022–2025

• 2022–2025 Xu Jun’s Self Psychology Training (Basic–Intermediate–Advanced), 144 hours
• 2022–2024 Sino-German Psychodynamic Training (Shanghai Mental Health Center), 10th Cohort, Basic Level, 192 hours
• 2020–2023 Peichao Zhang’s Localization Psychoanalysis Training (Basic + Intermediate), 162 hours
• 2021–2023 Li Ming’s Humanistic Focusing 2-Year Training (5 levels), 96 hours
• 2021–2022 Zhang Haiyin Object Relations Systematic Training, 54 hours
• 2021.03–08 China–US Personality Disorders Training Program, 36 hours
• 2018–2020 Mangrove Psychological Counselor Training + Internship Program, 280 hours
• 2017–2018 Zeng Qifeng Psychoanalysis Introductory Training

Intimate Relationships: Romantic issues, family conflict, parenting challenges, parent–child communication, attachment styles, premarital anxiety, psychosexual concerns

Personal Growth: Midlife crisis, identity exploration, personality development, family-of-origin issues

Workplace Issues: Work stress, interpersonal conflict, emotional distress, self-doubt, workplace bullying, career planning

Older Adults: Retirement anxiety, chronic pain, post-surgery emotions, empty-nest adjustment, menopause-related identity changes, intergenerational caregiving, in-law relationships, bereavement

Adolescents: Interpersonal difficulties, family conflict, internet addiction, puberty-related confusion, sex education, academic stress, identity conflict, future uncertainty

I’m glad you’re here! Please complete the short form so I can arrange a pre-consultation that suits your needs and schedule. For questions: xiaoquan.deng@connect.polyu.hk

This free 15-minute pre-consultation helps us get an initial sense of each other and explore whether we are a good fit for formal therapy.

Start Pre-Consultation