Two Paths, One Practice
Whichever brought you here, you're in the right place.
For Individuals
You may feel high-functioning on the outside, but overwhelmed internally. Coaching here isn't about fixing you — it's about understanding and transforming your inner system.
-
Struggles with self-criticism, emotional numbness, or burnout
-
Is navigating identity, belonging, or cultural expectations
-
Has done talk therapy before but still feels stuck
-
Finds it hard to fully express emotions in words alone
For Therapists
Deepen your clinical work through IFS, art therapy, and cross-cultural, attachment-informed practice — individual and group supervision available worldwide. Many well-trained therapists find themselves running into:
-
Clients gain insight but stay behaviorally stuck
-
Client resistance or polarized protectors are hard to work with
-
Collectivist, filial-duty-oriented family systems don't map onto individualistic attachment frameworks
-
Unclear how Attachment and Developmental Trauma shape a client's protective system
-
Wanting to deepen work through sensorimotor or creative arts
How I Work
An integrative approach, beyond talk alone.
I draw from six interconnected approaches to support real, lasting change:
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Getting to know your Parts, releasing the burdens they carry, and living Self-led
Art Therapy
When words fall short, let art carry what's felt but unspoken
Somatic & Sensorimotor
A bottom-up approach regulating your nervous system, reaching what cognition can't
Attachment-based (EFT/AEDP)
Repairing attachment wounds rooted in development and family history, rebuilding relational safety
Culturally Inclusive Practice
Trauma-informed, LGBTQIA+ affirming, and grounded in the cultural and intergenerational context that shapes you
Experiential
Work
Transformation happens in the moment (here-and-now), not just through talking about it
I have comprehensive training in IFS (completed Level 2, currently in consultation toward certification), and I am a board-certified art therapist (ATR-BC) with additional certification in Sensorimotor Guided Drawing, EFT couples therapy and AEDP.
I speak English and Mandarin Chinese.
Clinical Supervision & Mentorship
IFS + Art Therapy Supervision & Mentorship
Are You a Therapist Wanting to Go Deeper?
Working in the field over10 years, I've supervised graduate interns at NYU and SVA, and support clinicians both working toward licensure and after they're fully licensed — integrating IFS, art therapy, and cross-cultural work.
-
Individual Mentorship — Personalized support for your caseload, clinical growth, and professional development, with experiential learning and ATR-BC supervision available as needed.
-
Group Consultation — A small-group experience combining case consultation, discussion, role-play, and skills practice with experiential learning around a planned theme.
Healing with Avery
Hello, I'm Avery Chao, an IFS-trained art therapist and art therapy supervisor based in New York City, originally from Taiwan.
I work with adults who may appear to have it all together on the outside while navigating complex emotions and inner worlds. I also support therapists and clinicians who want to bring greater depth and creativity into their practice.
My approach integrates Internal Family Systems (IFS), art therapy, and relational and body-based approaches to help you move beyond insight and develop a deeper, more compassionate relationship with yourself and create meaningful change in your life.
I offer sessions worldwide via Telehealth in English and Mandarin.
Blog & Articles
Notes on healing, integration & clinical practice.
This website is aimed at making mental health accessible and relatable. I hope you find support and self-discovery through my sharing, helping you uncover inner strengths and foster personal growth.
Let’s Connect
Thank you for your interest in connecting with Avery.
If you're looking to embark on Art Therapy, IFS Coaching, Clinical Consultation and Supervision or any collaborations, please submit a request. Once I received the form, I will contact you within 3 business day. Since this work is collaborative, please feel free to reach out with any questions or for further information.