Yung-Mei Leong, Psychologist

Yung-Mei Leong is a psychologist based in Maryland who focuses on stress, anxiety, self-esteem, depression, coping with life changes, and ADHD. She has eight years of direct psychotherapy experience and aims to help people make practical changes to their daily thoughts and habits. Her style is warm and nonjudgmental, inviting clients to talk about what matters most to them.

She works with people who struggle with obsessive or compulsive symptoms, panic, phobias, and social anxiety. She also supports those facing relationship shifts like divorce and separation, challenges tied to multicultural and immigration experiences, and issues connected to alternative sexual cultures such as BDSM and kink. Practical coping strategies and self-compassion are common parts of her work.

Leong uses a cognitive behavioral approach that looks at thoughts and core beliefs that get in the way of everyday functioning. Sessions focus on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and trying new, manageable habits. The aim is to help clients feel more capable in relationships and daily life.

She has experience addressing guilt, shame, isolation, midlife transitions, trichotillomania, and concerns around pregnancy and end-of-life care. Her approach blends direct skills practice with reflective conversation so people leave with concrete steps they can try between sessions.

Taking that first step can feel hard, and she offers steady support while clients decide goals and pace. To start, people complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.

How cognitive approaches work in online therapy

Leong commonly uses cognitive behavioral techniques that focus on identifying thoughts and beliefs that interfere with daily habits. This approach breaks problems into manageable parts and introduces simple exercises to test new ways of thinking and acting, useful for anxiety, depression, and obsessive thoughts.

She also draws on practical skills work aimed at changing everyday routines and habits. That might include short behavioral experiments, activity planning, or stepwise practice to reduce avoidance and build confidence in daily tasks and relationships.

Choosing the most helpful approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to match methods to their goals, comfort level, and life demands, and will adjust the plan as progress is made.

Confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not detailed here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. Licensed professionals can help clients use what works best in their day-to-day life while focusing on changing thoughts and habits.