Yu Chai

Yu Chai is a Psychologist and Psychotherapist at Harbor who works with a wide range of emotional and relationship difficulties.

These include anxiety, depression, OCD and social anxiety; trauma, PTSD, bereavement and loss; addiction and eating disorders; and relationship, psychosexual, family and parenting difficulties. She also works with identity and self-esteem, workplace stress and burnout, career and leadership challenges, and life transitions and personal growth.

Before training as a therapist, Yu spent 20 years in human resources and executive coaching at multinational companies. That experience gives her firsthand insight into high-pressure workplaces and the demands of leadership.

Professional Background & Qualifications

Yu holds an MSc in Psychology from Goldsmiths, University of London, and a Doctor of Health Administration from Warnborough College.

She also holds diplomas in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy and Dance Movement Psychotherapy.

In the UK, she is registered with the Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy and is a Graduate Member of the British Psychological Society.

She also holds professional registrations in Germany, the United States, Hong Kong and China.

Her further training includes psychodynamic and psychoanalytic psychotherapy and psychosexual and relationship therapy.

Healthcare Leadership & Experience

Yu has worked with clients in private practice as well as in group settings.

Her coaching background is particularly relevant to her work on burnout, career and leadership challenges. Having lived in China, the UK and the US, she also brings a cross-cultural perspective to her work.

She speaks English and Mandarin Chinese.

Approach to Care

Yu’s approach is rooted in psychodynamic therapy, and she also draws on mindfulness and on expressive arts such as dance and movement.

Her dance movement training means she pays attention to how emotions show up in the body as well as the mind. Through this, she helps clients understand themselves better and build the inner resources to cope with what they are facing.