Dr. May Zhou

LCSW

My path to becoming a therapist was a gradual, deeply meaningful evolution shaped by both my professional journey and my own personal history. For over twenty years, I worked as an associate professor in higher education, teaching language and cultural studies. During that time, I loved supporting students as they navigated life shifts, cultural barriers, and identity development. I found myself constantly drawn to the human experience—how we cope with loss, how we adapt to changing environments, and how we build connection. Driven by a desire to provide direct, therapeutic care, I made the transition into clinical social work and earned my MSW from the University of Houston. In healthcare and rehabilitation settings, I supported older adults and families through grief, chronic illness, and major life transitions, which cemented my commitment to helping people process loss and build resilience. As a domestic violence survivor, my choice to enter this profession is also deeply personal. My lived experience taught me firsthand how critical it is to have a safe, non-judgmental space where you feel genuinely seen and heard. It inspired me to create a trauma-informed practice rooted in empathy, warmth, and empowerment—helping others navigate their own struggles and reconnect with their inner strength.

If I had to pick one book that deeply shapes my approach to therapy, it would be The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk. As a trauma-informed therapist and a domestic violence survivor, this book resonates with both my professional framework and my personal journey. It beautifully illustrates how trauma, grief, and chronic stress aren't just thoughts we hold in our minds—they are experiences stored deeply within our bodies and nervous systems. This perspective guides how I work with clients navigating loss, life transitions, chronic illness, and relationship challenges. It reminds me that healing isn't about simply "thinking positive" or rationalizing away pain. True healing requires creating a warm, safe, and compassionate space where your entire self—mind, body, and story—can feel fully heard, validated, and supported as you reconnect with your inner strength.

In our first session together, our primary goal is simple: to help you feel comfortable, safe, and heard. Because I view therapy as a collaborative, client-centered process, we will always move at a pace that feels right for you.